Yes, I am brown. Yes, I am educated.

This Summer I was asked a question that kind of hurt me. While at work, a white lady started a conversation with me. She asked me regular summer stuff: how it was going, how many weeks of vacation I got left, and if I had been doing any sort of fun things with my friends.

She was nice, or at least I thought she was. The lady asked me what high school I attended, so I told her “Actually, I am a senior at Cal Poly Pomona.” Her face quickly changed; she went from having a soft smile to a straddled and confused look on her eyes. She said “Really? Well what are you majoring in?” And so, I told her: “I am a journalism major, and  I hope to work for a national newspaper someday.”

I had never seen someone so surprised. The lady, with an open mouth, was completely speechless. I couldn’t, however, understand her confusion. Why was she so surprised? Was it because I look young and she can’t believe I’m about to graduate college? But something else was going through her mind.

Once she came back from her confusion, the lady said: “So journalism, right? Oh… So you can write?”

“Yes, of course I can write,” I told her. “Actually, I write for the school newspaper, and an article of mine has been published by our local newspaper: The Desert Sun. I also have worked with Univision as a broadcast reporter for a project, too.”

Once I said that, she completely lost it. I can’t read minds, but if I could read hers that day she must have been thinking something along the lines of “this brown girl is educated, wow.”

A brown educated woman, that’s good, right? But for some odd reason, it did not make me feel good at that moment. I remember thinking: Well, this is awkward.  There I was, standing in front of a white middle-class woman, being asked about my education.

“I know a few Mexican girls, they clean houses for me,” she said.

That is when I understood why she was so perplexed. Her cleaning ladies are Mexican, and she thought that I, by being Mexican, would not be a college-educated woman, but perhaps someone who could clean her nice home. She thought that I would be like most girls from my community. Like the girls who due to lack of support, money and/or motivation do not further their education.

But I did attend college, and soon I will be the first person in my family to receive a degree. Yes, I did grow up in a community where most choose to not attend college. Yes, money was an issues. Yes, I got to college on my own. It was difficult, but here I am.

She might have not known this before, but brown girls can be educated. They can be engineers, doctors, lawyers, journalists, architects, designers… ANYTHING they set their mind to.

Regardless, her reactions made me feel small. I felt labeled. Little does this woman know that I learned the English language at age 11, yet by age 13 I was proficient and the best in my class. Little does she know I lived in a migrant household, that I never had a stable education through high school because of my parent’s job. And that I would have to do my schools assignments in the bathroom because I lived in a one-bedroom mobile home and it was the only light I could keep on without it bugging my parents as they rested at night.

The color of my skin does not mean I cannot be educated. If anything it means I should be educated. Now that I think about it, it makes me feel pretty special knowing I can leave people speechless.

California’s Support for Undocumented Immigrants After Election Night

With many Californians being personally affected and hurt by our nation’s decision on election night, it seems we might have forgotten how much of a progressive and caring state we are.

Despite California’s high cost of living, its endless traffic and inconsistent weather, it is still the most beautiful state in the nation. I’m not talking about its beaches, its captivating cities or its aesthetic architecture but about its progressiveness.

After election night early this November, California has made several admiring decisions aimed to protect undocumented residents.

Soon after Donald Trump’s election, University of California and California State University officials reassured they would protect undocumented students and not aid in Trump’s plan of large-scale deportations.

Los Angeles Police Chief also announced the department will not support Trump’s plan of deportation and Mayor Eric Garcetti assured L.A. will remain a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants.

In addition, L.A. City Council members announced a proposal that would decriminalize sidewalk vending. This measure would help undocumented immigrants who work as street vendors not be convicted of a misdemeanor and prevent possible deportation.

Let’s not forget California already has several progressive policies aimed at supporting immigrants. The measures provide access to driver’s licenses and healthcare and have provided a sense of relief for many. California voters also support a path to legalization for undocumented immigrants.

California, there is no doubt I love you even more now.

 

 

How This Election Made My Sisters Feel

In a nation where Latinos feel targeted by president-elect Trump, disconsolation floods the bodies of my people.

Trump specifically pointed to immigrants early in his campaign and said he would massively deport us. His plan of deporting nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants, however, is nearly impossible. But Trump does not care. He still has plans of deporting as many undocumented individuals as he can during his time in the White House.

Although not all Latinos are undocumented, we fear a Trump presidency because we have undocumented acquaintances, friends, classmates and family members.

A week after election results, I reached out to two of my sisters from Hermanas Unidas -an organization designed to advocate for and support women through higher education.

Hermana from Cal Poly Pomona, Nancy Diaz, says she felt so disappointed when she first found out Trump would be our president, she could not hold back her tears.

Cal Poly Pomona Hermana, Nancy Diaz. Photo by Me.

“I was sitting there with my parents just thinking ‘if he wins, what’s going to happen to our family members?’ Because I have undocumented family members.”

With a blank stare in her face, Nancy fixes her hair behind her ear and continues to tell me how she felt election night.

“I started breaking down in tears, and my dad just kept assuring me we’re going to be fine, but the fear was still there.”

“Fear was a factor, and also anger. I’m angry because now people are going to justify their racism because our future president is racist. They’re going to think it’s okay, and it’s not.”

What Nancy said is true. Just hours after the election racism, homophobia, and discrimination had arisen through our nation. Hate was present in our schools, public transportation and even social media.

The fear and anger Nancy was feeling is what most of us in the Latino community felt. How can you walk out of your house the morning after the election being a minority and not feel targeted?

In contrast to Nancy, my Hermana Azalea said reality did not hit her until next morning.

Cal Poly Pomona Hermana, Azalea Valencia. Photo by Me.

“I couldn’t believe it. I really couldn’t so I went to sleep.”

But reality caught up to Azalea. “Everyone in my class was talking about it. I couldn’t avoid it anymore.”

With a very firm voice Azalea told me, “We lost this one, but this is only the start. Change starts from the bottom, and change will happen here. To my undocumented friends, just know you are not alone and you are not going anywhere. You really are here to stay.”

What This Election Turned Me Into: The Angry Brown Woman

A lot of us woke up angry, confused, and upset this Wednesday morning. For many of us, tears rolled down the corners of our eyes as we saw Donald Trump hit the 270 votes. Our minds, completely blown away.

Throughout his campaign, Trump made sexists, racist, and hurtful comments that divided the country and made many question our nation’s principles.

Obviously we are not ready to hand over the country to a person like Trump.

We fear a Trump presidency because we are undocumented, people of color, women, minorities… the underrepresented. But there is something I learned from last night; that this is not a loss, because it will teach us to be strong and to stand in solidarity with our neighbors.

I am angry, but this election has empowered me to fight, represent, love, and care for all. We will not live in fear. We are here to stay.

Trump does not represent the ideals, morals, and values of the entire country. We have to separate ourselves from the hatred Trump awoke, and remember that we are educated and loving people who care about our neighbors regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race, age or religion.

Wednesday morning, I was an angry woman. As the day went by, my anger flourished into empowerment, love and alliance. I know I am strong, I know my my people are too and we are #HereToStay.

Coachella: Much More Than a Festival’s Name

When someone says “Coachella” what do you instantly think of? Of course, I know the answer.

Coachella Fest has been ranked the highest earning festival in the world earning $84 million just in ticket sales in 2015. This three-day festival is well known for the celebrities that attend it, and their sense of fashion.

Coachella Festival 2015. Photo by me.

Coachella Fest takes place in Indio, a city of the Riverside County in the Eastern Coachella Valley. Although Coachella Fest is known for celebrities, fashion, iconic music and art, there are more important issues that throughout neighboring communities that are hidden by an image of paradise.

When you visit the city of Indio’s website, images of the festival instantly grab your eye.

Coachella Fest benefits the Indio’s economy during the month of April, but it does nothing for the city of Coachella.

But let me tell you something about the actual city of Coachella (yes, it’s a city) that no one likes to say:

The Eastern Coachella Valley is a community of primarily Latinos, where most are farm workers and live in poverty.

Coachella farm worker walking to his car after a day of work. Photo by me.

Farm workers in the valley spend most of their time working, lack education and resources necessary to support their children and prepare them for college. Our families trust schools to properly educate students and help them get ahead in life. For the most part, this does not happen.

Schools in the Coachella Unified School District remove teachers, principals and other faculty every year, not allowing students to have a stable learning environment. Our schools lack AP and honor courses that are vital to college preparation. While students in other high schools have GPAs above 4.5, when I graduated, the highest it could go was a 4.2.

During summer, hot temperatures make it unbearable to go outside, yet most of our students have to stand in the heat with little to no shade just to end up sitting in a crowded bus.

Due to the support that our students lack, most of them do not end up continuing their education and seek opportunity in the workplace, often times with no luck.

Do not get me wrong, I am a festival-goer myself. What I’m trying to say here is that when the word “Coachella” is heard, many associate it with a good time, but for me, it is about struggle and about a community that is hidden by a festival that does not benefit its residents.

The question is, how can we change Coachella so that if offers the desirable lifestyle that many associate with its name?

Halloween, Sugar Skulls and Culture Appropriation

As many of us prepare our Halloween costumes and rush over to Youtube and Instagram for inspiration, we might come across a beautiful sugar skull face painting.

From “Gold Sugar Skull Makeup Tutorial” by NathalieBellax3 Via Youtube. GIF made by me.

For the past years, sugar skulls have become increasingly popular.

Contrary to popular belief, sugar skulls did not originate from Halloween. Instead, sugar skulls represent the traditions, love and emotions of the Mexican community.

Sugar skulls are a tradition of Day of the Dead, one of the most loved and respected celebrations of the Mexican people. For two days, the gates of heaven open, and we come together to remember the lives of our deceased.

We collect the most colorful flowers, make the best pozole, bread and tamales. We build incredible altars and sing our favorite songs.

At night, we visit our loved ones in their resting places, and accompany them by dancing, singing and eating with them.

Cemetery in Tzintzuntzan, México. Photo by Pablo Martinez via Flickr.

If you are considering a sugar skull for Halloween, think again. Day of the Dead is a part of out culture, it resembles our Mexican roots, and it should be respected. A sugar skull, just like the many Native American “costumes” we see each year, is definitely cultural appropriation. Don’t be that person.

The One Question Latinas Can’t Avoid from Family

Everyday, somewhere a Latina goes through the same struggle of having to answer the one question every aunt likes to ask at family parties. The question that ruins it all and makes us roll our eyes: “donde esta tu novio?” Or “where’s your boyfriend?”

Itati Cantoral meme. Unlicensed. Via knowyourmeme.com

I am the very first girl in my family to attend college, this means that I am also the very first girl of my family to ever move out and begin a new life in a big, scary city. I like to think I am doing pretty good things out here -I’m about to graduate, I have made pretty good friends, and I have grown to be a strong and educated woman.

Maybe our aunts could, just possibly, ask a more important question. Maybe something along the lines of “how’s school going?” Now that sounds like something I’d like to talk about. Heck, I’d tell you how my entire quarter is going if only you cared to ask.

To my girls going through the same annoyance: I’m sorry. I’m sorry because sometimes our families can be so ignorant to the point they believe we have to be with a man to be happy.

This society and our culture has taught us that to reach life goals a woman must stand beside a man, marry and have kids. But that’s not true.

Single women in the Latino community are judged and often insulted for being single. Men refer to them as “solteronas,” look at them rudely and think men are the ones who do not want to be with them, when it is probably the other way around.

To all my aunts, I’d like to know why you are always so concerned about where our man is at.

Let’s say it louder for the people in the back: We don’t need a man by our sides. Not for company, not for love, nor to be successful.

Every time they see me, they ask me the same question, and every time I reply with the same answer. So, dear aunty, please stop it.

College gave me the gift to learn about self-love and the importance of being happy with myself. So, dear aunt, I am more than just a girlfriend, a wife or a mom. I am my own companion and my very best lover. Please stop asking me about someone who does not exist.