Voicing the community, or a voice for the community: Katherine Vaz, a Portuguese American writer

This essay traces the debate about Portuguese American literature, the role that anthologies of Portuguese American literature play in defining this literary category, and then examines Katherine Vaz as a case study. In so doing, the essay considers how Portuguese American writers like Vaz contribute to the shaping of Portuguese American literature, the challenges Portuguese American literature faces, and how the community can help to shape the future of this literary category.