I am my mother’s daughter

Whom left her land to provide opportunities for her

children
Who went above and beyond to provide us with
educational opportunities
Who taught me to be a guerrera
Who taught me to be a soñadora

I am my father’s daughter
Who came to a country that accepted his labor
But rejected his language, his skin, and his existence
Who taught me to be adventurous and take on
challenges heads on

I come from Selma

A small agriculture community
The place where I started to find my voice
 I come from the farmlands
Where I witnessed injustices
Where I started to use my voice
A place where I learned the value of obtaining an
education
Where my parents taught me that a pen weighs
less than a shovel
Its the place that helped fund my education

I come from a working-class family

Who taught me to be grateful for the things that I
have
Where I learned to be humble

I am a Latina
I defy the stereotypes forced on my people
I am the exception of the nay sayers
Those that believe that I do not belong here
 I am bilingual
I speak Español and English
Even when a system tried to make me forget my
native language
I proudly and loudly speak it!
I get double the laughs, double the conversations,
and double the music

I am a first-generation college student

Navigating a system that was not built for me
Earning my seat only to be told it was handed to
me, as a token for the color of my skin
A place where my cultural capital is not valued
But also a place where I found out my voice matter
A voice than can create positive changes
 I am privileged
To have been born in America
To be tracked into a college path
To be granted access to funds to afford a higher
education
To be able to obtain a job

I am a leader
Who highlights the voice of my community and those
of marginalized people
Providing a safe space to allow for self expression
Who has sympathy,
Who drives connection instead of disconnection
My voice will create positive change