Why “Your English Is Great” Is Considered Offensive
Why “your English is great” can be offensive, even when meant as a compliment. Learn how language, accent bias, and identity intersect.
Author: josemartinews1
When “Your English Is Great” Is a Compliment With Conditions
Why “your English is great” isn’t always a compliment. Learn how language, accents, and identity are tied to bias and belonging in America.
Behind the Scenes: Writing Your English Is Great, But…
I didn’t set out to write a book. I set out to make sense of things — grief, identity, the sharp edges of memory — and ended up with a … Continue reading Behind the Scenes: Writing Your English Is Great, But…
How My Accent Shaped My Voice: A Reflection
For years, I was told to tone it down. Speak “neutral.” Lose the accent. I never quite understood what they meant by neutral, because what’s more natural than your own … Continue reading How My Accent Shaped My Voice: A Reflection
3 Things You Might Not Know About Your English Is Great, But…
1️⃣It started as a journal I kept during lunch breaks in New York. What began as scribbled reflections turned into stories about language, identity, and navigating the world in Spanglish. … Continue reading 3 Things You Might Not Know About Your English Is Great, But…
Café con José: Closing 2025
Mi gente, If this year had a soundtrack, it would be full of shifts. Songs you didn’t expect to love. Pauses that taught you to listen. And maybe a few … Continue reading Café con José: Closing 2025
The History of Hispanic Heritage Month: Why Our Stories Matter
Every year from September 15 to October 15, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month — a time to recognize the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors … Continue reading The History of Hispanic Heritage Month: Why Our Stories Matter
Café con José: The American Dream, Alive and Bilingual
Today, on the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month, I’m holding on to a moment that reminded me why I write, why I tell stories, and why I believe in the … Continue reading Café con José: The American Dream, Alive and Bilingual
It’s Real: My First Book Is Coming
My debut memoir is finally taking shape.
Your English is Great, But… is a story about language, loss, and finding your voice in between.
The official page is now live!
Your English is Great, But…
I didn’t just translate my words.
I translated my grief.
My ambition.
My silence.
This book lives in that in-between—between Spanish and English, between loss and voice.
Between who I was… and who I’m finally ready to become.
Café con José: The Questions I Ask Myself After Every Interview
Every interview leaves me with something: a quote, a story — and a set of questions.
Not for the person I just spoke to, but for myself.
Did I listen deeply enough? Did I handle their pain with care?
This week on Café con José, I’m pulling back the curtain.
Café con José : A Pope from the South. And the woman who taught me faith
In this edition of Café con José, I reflect on what his legacy meant to my abuela, to my faith, and to the quiet power of being seen by someone who speaks your language — in every sense.
