# data[].attributes.body
I am from boots and sombreros

From VapoRub and Fabuloso

I am from the house by the river that constantly gets painted a different color, filled with seven rooms and three bathrooms

joyful , loving

It felt like getting there took forever

I am from indoor plants,

wood

the soft and rough texture

I’m from staying up late until midnight to await December 25th and pointy noses

from Tomas and Socorro

and Francisca

I’m from eating beans and potatoes for breakfast every morning and

saying good morning and goodnight with a hug and a kiss in the cheek every day

From ponte trucha and

no te sulfures

I’m from going to church every Sunday,

thanking God for another day alive and praying for the best

I’m from San Jose, California, Mexico and Spain,

beans and tortillas.

From being foolish and running toward the pig house to be the first one to arrive and end up sinking in pig poop and pig pee

the bravery of riding a bull bigger than you and dislocating your jaw.

From mountains, cactuses, and thorn bushes

I am from a Mexican family that has always supported me with many encouraging and motivational words and love

striving to accomplish many goals and help my community

# data[].attributes.headline
 Karina Bermudez                                                             I am from framed family pictures from Fabuloso and Ariel                     I am from the variety of plants that decorate my front porch      colorful, beautiful.                              It looked like the garden from my mothers childhood home                   I am from the lime tree standing tall next to my house,                      the habanero plant growing near it               growing taller by day                      I’m from El Dia de los Muertos and brown skin                                       from Maria and Armando and Ulises                                                   I’m from the family discussions and eating together                      From sana sana colita de rana and que dios te acompañe                     I’m from La Virgen de Guadalupe,who my mother asks to protect the family.                            I’m from Oakland and Michoacan,Pozole and Tamales.From the sacrifice my parents made to give me a better life                                                         the journey it took to immigrate here.From the pictures in the living.      roomI am from many placesI am kindI am strong I am Karina

# data[].attributes.subject
 Karina Bermudez                                                             I am from framed family pictures from Fabuloso and Ariel                     I am from the variety of plants that decorate my front porch      colorful, beautiful.                              It looked like the garden from my mothers childhood home                   I am from the lime tree standing tall next to my house,                      the habanero plant growing near it               growing taller by day                      I’m from El Dia de los Muertos and brown skin                                       from Maria and Armando and Ulises                                                   I’m from the family discussions and eating together                      From sana sana colita de rana and que dios te acompañe                     I’m from La Virgen de Guadalupe,who my mother asks to protect the family.                            I’m from Oakland and Michoacan,Pozole and Tamales.From the sacrifice my parents made to give me a better life                                                         the journey it took to immigrate here.From the pictures in the living.      roomI am from many placesI am kindI am strong I am Karina

# data[].attributes.body
I am from the cracked eggshells.

From Dawn and Folgers.

I am from the cobweb across the roof.

Dull, insipid.

It felt dull and looked insipid.

I am from the Canterbury bells, the snapdragons.

Bell-shaped petals.

I’m from the champurrado and aquiline noses.

From Pilo and Cheya, and Consuelo.

I’m from the argumentative and strict.

From buck up and nunca habla.

I’m from the burning bush, the two Testaments I can name.

I’m from Guadelajara,

Posole and tamales.

From the parchment dot that flew into my mother’s eye during a birthday party because of the piñata and a gust of wind to the coffee grounds my father uses to dry the cuts he gets from work.

Within the wooden cabinet that holds a collection of portraits that were taken before the meeting of my parents.

I am from the weight that squashes my still-poor lungs.

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I am from the sunset lamp sitting on the shelf

from Amazon and Ali express

I am from the flooded streets and packed sidewalks.

It sounded like chaos, like home

I am from the sunflower

the field of daises

large, yellow, and beautiful

I’m from the Eid gatherings, and curly hair and loud personalities.

from Fayza and Faisal

and Rahma

I’m from the brown eyes and sharp features

Tan skin

From stubborn and passionate

And loud

I’m from Islam,

The religion of peace

I’m from the Middle East,

Samosas and falafel.

From the hustle of my grandparents who helped in the making of us all.

The kids of two incredibly strong parents who also grew to become impatient.

I am from the very village and city in Yemen where I was born alongside my family whom I haven’t seen in years, the very people who inspire me to work extra hard and be grateful.

# data[].attributes.body
I am from sneakers,

From Jordans and Nikes

I am from the dark cave

(calm, creepy)

It sounded very dangerous

I am from the roses,

The dandelion

It was green with a red stem and looked scary.

I am from pupusas and green eyes

From Nixon and Sofia

And Kristel

I am from the quietness

And the loyalty,

From stack or starve and do not give up.

I am from believing in God and having faith.

I am from Oakland and El Salvador

Pupusas and Bread with Chicken

From the tooth I lost biting into an apple

The time my dad fell into the pool

On my living room walls

Full of pictures from many years ago

Smiling faces, hugging and joyfulness

I am from a place that has to give respect to earn respect,

Fights very hard for their future and family.

# data[].attributes.body
I am from from a place of growth

from all in bloom and fertilizer

I am from the  the welcome sign at the door

Filled with joy, and accepting

It is comforting like the taste of chocolate

I am from the flower bush,

the daisy flower

Plain and simple, but bright and filled with color

I’m from the handmade tortillas and the heart problems

from Laura and Rodolfo

and My nino Jose

I’m from the crying problems and the hope to make it

From the “quiere llorar, quiere llorar” and the “you’re so quiet”

I’m from the belief where you could manifest the life you want

Where the energy that you put out to the universe is the same that you get back

I’m from modesto and from Jalisco Mexico ,

the Tequila and the birria.

From the rancho that my Nino left and I visit every year

And the house of my grandma that I call home in Mexico.

I am from the memories I have of my Nino that I will cherish forever

I am from a place that I could grow and learn everyday and a place I like to call my home.

# data[].attributes.body
I am from my light blue baby blanket

from mother’s picture and my stuffed animal

I am from the mango tree my family has in the backyard

the laughter that is release when we’re together and the gunshots in the night that makes me feel nervous

It sounded so calming

I am from cactus that my father once found

the flower the grows on top the cactus which my mother loves

the spiky and green

I’m from the waiting to open presents at Midnight in December and my brown eyes from my mother

from Lourdes and Jose Luis

and Maria de Rosario

I’m from the eating together as a family and

going on trips each December

From “Chepe” and “Que no tiene Naglas”

I’m from el Día de los Muertos

when my family celebrate the lives that are no longer with us

I’m from Oklahoma and Zapotlán de Rey

I am tacos de Asada and Tacos Dorados de pollo.

From the unique places where my mom and dad call home

And my grandparents that lives in el Rancho

the beautiful Mexico where my tía is put to rest .

in Oakland where my our family lives

I am from a hometown called Zapotlán de Rey

I am kind

Friendly

And a helper

I am from many places

I am Jose

# data[].attributes.body
I am from a small pueblo magico

from bolsitas de fruta and fresh conchas de chocolate.

I am from the most ordinary, yet historical neighborhood

that would fight against any vandalism.

Walking on the rocky sidewalks feels

haughty and homely.

I am from the rosales,

the heavy circular and colorful malvas

I’m from the posadas navideñas and big hanging piñatas

from charreadas and mariachi gigs

and long playing nights with neighborhood friends.

I’m from the necessity to obey my elders  and

the lack of showing emotions and desires.

From “siempre tienes que ser única” and

“lucha por tus sueños.”

I’m from the lack of beliefs,

the unknown purpose of a religion.

I’m from a stolen land,

orange and pink sunsets.

From the excess of artesanal jewelry

the medicinal herbs.

I am from perfectionism,

the comparison that has led to poisonous desires.

# data[].attributes.body
I am from knockers and barrette clips
from Blue Magic and Black Castor Oil
I am from my granmama’s garden’s soil
Black and filled with life,
Thriving despite hot weather’s strife
It felt like Memorabilia
I am from the Succulents,
the Aloe Vera
used for healing and growth
Symbolizing affection and grief
I’m from Cookouts and little freckles
I’m from other der’
You know where Big Mama and dem from
from my mama Colleen and my aunty Antonae
and my granmama Sharon
All of them
Powerful women
I’m from the crooked smiles and pursed lips
From “You are your mama’s kid” and
“Nothin’s ever meant to be easy”
I’m from hand-me-down curses
From Post Traumatic Slave Disorder to Institutional oppression
From wearing family on t-shirts and tattooed portraits
From candle lit vigils and protests against gun violence
I’m from misguided and false justice
From a system that inspired me to be a lawyer so that I can reconstruct it
I’m from single mothers forced to playhouse alone,
My mother is also my father
My grandmother is like my second mother
I’m from being able to choose your family,
Blood shared doesn’t substitute a bond
I’m from the belief of our lost ones visiting us as Bees,
because they defy the impossible, just to get back to us
I’m from every achievement and celebration only beginning after thanking our ancestors and the ones we lost for guiding us here
I’m from Fresno but my family from the Bay,
And now I’m in the Bay so ain’t that somethin
How life cycles through, my parent’s both from here but ain’t never crossed paths
I guess I was always meant to be born on the outside
Born as an intersection, an interconnection
the star-crossed lovers of my Irish and Nigerian lineage met in me
Produced brown skin and natural red highlights as a conqueror of oppression
A living demonstration that love can and will conquer hate
I’m from Fufu and Collard Greens
From Fried Plantains and Shamrock Shakes for St. Patrick’s Day
From me being the first in my family to go to college
But I’m also from losing all three of my uncles, Oscar Grant, Johntue Caldwell, Kristofer Raffety.
I need to say their names
because all that I have left to remember them by are pictures
Tucked away in baby books and pinned up gallery frames
Right next to me, tucked away in those same baby books and pinned up frames
I am from the flowers reminding you why the rain was necessary,
From my ancestors’ wildest dreams
From solar eclipse where the dark and light meet
I am from destiny
This, is me

# data[].attributes.body
I am from…

I’m from a land with water

Where the grass is greener

And the sounds of a rooster is your alarm clock

I’m from a family of hard work

Where we wake up early in the morning

And take the cows out to graze

The chickens to roam

And the pigs to feed

I am from a family of change

From staying in the countryside

To the big city in America

I’m from a beautiful culture

With amazing food

And amazing traditions

I am Chi

Not the greatest human to walk this earth

But a happy going kid

# data[].attributes.body
I am from x-box controllers,

from couches and blankets.

I am from the Quiet blue house with the brown porch and the white shed.

warm, cozy.

It felt calm and bright.

I am from the tree

the Venus flytrap,

flashlight.

I’m from the Christmas in pajamas and brown eyes,

from Julius and Vivian,

and Anna.

I’m from the being loud at graduations and

Calling people when it is their birthday

From enjoy your childhood and

Never trust astranger

I’m from communion

Sunday quire

I’m from Philadelphia and Cameroon

Fufu and Eru

From the Barbeques where I used to play with my sisters in the backyard

the older sister moving to Atlanta

from The Family picture in front of the fireplace

I am from a small town in the suburbs near Philadelphia. I am Terrell Ayamba Enoru an 18-year-old African-American computer science student who works at target and likes to listen to music in his free time.

# data[].attributes.body
Poema

Soy de raíces de tierra caliente donde ves montes secos

Y de tierras fértiles donde crecen las milpas muy altas

I am of parents from different Mexican

backgrounds both born in Mexico City

A place where most enjoy visiting, but a different place for all that live there

I am of Ivy

A plant that continues to grow

A plant that can be tamed and when given freedom, it grows

With water and sunlight, you can watch how one grows

I am of Oak

A wood so versatile

From Oak, a pencil is made or even a house

Que estudiara para tener un mejor futuro

Y que trabajará duro para tener más que lo que me pudieron dar

Fue lo que me han dicho mis padres

I come from a country full of life and culture
A country with 32 states each different that comes with unity
From foods that everyone likes
Mole and barbacoa to name some traditional dishes
And others so common like Tacos and Sopes

Soy de musica

That type of music that makes your body groove through a Stereo

Sounds that make me feel in CTRL and Isolation

From the West Side like Maria,

I’m In My Room, with The Devine Feminine,

I can spend hours laying, listening, and thinking

I come from strong family values of honor and truth

De ser respetuoso y humilde

Lo que me han enseñado mis padres Arminda y Jesus

Que nunca mire atrás y vuele muy alto

Muy alto como las águilas

# data[].attributes.body
I am from T-shirts

from Kirkland and Gildan

I am from the one-bedroom apartment

Cramped, Wonderful

It felt spacious even with it being small

I am from the (plant, flower, or natural item)Bellflower,

the Cherry blossoms that look beautiful when they bloom I’m from the lotería and speaking Spanish from Jose and Magda

and Bryan I’m from the loving animals and smiling faces.

From being kind to everyone and to always do your best

I’m from a Christian family, to always pray and god will be there for you

I’m from San Francisco and Guatemala,

Pepian and Hilachas.

From crossing the border and the broken arm from playing soccer.

Every one of my family members that came together in the living room for a picture for Christmas.

I am from Oakland where there is a lot of different cultures around.

# data[].attributes.body
I am from strong and hardworking people

from Coffee and corn plantations

I am from the birds singing in the big trees, and grandmother cooking with the embers of the fire each morning matchless. It felt unique.

I am from the flower, the Monja Blanca

A white orchid is full of light.

I am from the family of prayer and fighter

of a woman named Olimpia and grandmother Vicenta and Don Chalio Domingo.

I’m from integrity and discipline.

From “ Never give Up, Lesha” and

“Trust in God and believe in yourself

I’m from a Christianic family, recognize that without God you can do nothing.

I’m from Guatemala, Tamales and ponche.

I am From my Mom’s happy laugh and the beautiful grandmother's face.

I am from the picture of grandmother in the fields running through the milpa.

I am from Aldea el Chilive, Guatemala

I am Lesbia

# data[].attributes.body
I am from chanclas, fuzzy socks, and blankets.

I am from the Caribbean humidity, the warm salty water

And from the sound of chirping birds.

I am from the avocado tree,

From the palm trees and

Seashells that are in the ocean.

I’m from the smell of rice and beans with chicken stew

Being cooked by my Belizean mother,

From my Salvadorian dad who loves to talk

And my two little sisters.

I’m from spontaneous carne asadas

And going to church on Sundays.

From “negrita” and “Echale ganas!”

I’m from baptist hymns sang by my loved ones

I’m from deep East Oakland where people like to help each other

Where others see it as the “hood” or “the ghetto”.

I am from the old albums

The pictures there as just old memories.

The cassette tapes to remind us how technology has evolved

I am from immigrant parents who came to the U.S. for a better life.

I am Kaylee.

# data[].attributes.body
I am from dirt

From star wars and Legos

I am from the sweat that was once on my parents back

Salty, and tired 24/7

It tasted like eggs, beans and rice every morning

I am from the Mountain, the sunflower

That followed the sun even when it disappeared

I’m from the bread with frijoles and the big part of the family

From Luis Moran and Morena Moran and Noel

I’m from the big people of the Moran’s and straight up attitude of the Aguilar bloodline

From being told to act more like a man and that I have no friends, only people I will forget

I’m from failing to finish CCD but still praying to someone above me to help inspire me

I’m from Redwood City California, but remember the waters from El Salvador

Pupusas and pastelitos

From the Great Noel who was able to take dents out of cars with his bare, rugged, callous hands

To the big Danilo who suffered with cancer silently so no one found out till the day he passed

The picture that are on the wall that show my family’s life before and with me.

I am from the dirt. Who was slowly being compressed into something greater.  All the pain I have to deal with, I wear it on my sleeves. The scars tell a story, one that only I can ever possess. I am Jose Ernesto Moran, and I have been living a life that only I will ever understand.

# data[].attributes.body
I am from games
from Super Mario and Roblox
I am from the town of highways
vast, packed
It looked like there wasn’t much walking room
I am from the nature of my yards,
the landscape,
filled with life
I’m from the traditions of Eritrea and compassion
from Tijar and Selam
and Haben
I’m from the lessons
From peer pressure and
social skills
I’m from Catholic,
the love held for God
I’m from Eritrea through my parents,
gaat and injera.
From the times I’ve won some and lost with my parents and uncle, Daniel, whenever we have an Uno
tournament.
From the &mes we’ve shown competitiveness when backed into a corner.
The various places we go to. I am Aaron.

# data[].attributes.body
Where I’m From

By Andrea Flores

I am from layers of warm blankets

From computer screens and imaginary backyard kitchens

I am from the San Lorenzo community, where all my friends grew up with me

Friendly, funny, an area that allows for adventure to take place if your parents would ever allow it

It’s small, yet large and appears larger than it could really be in your kid sized brain

I am from the big trees that caved in on the neighborhood

The trees that leaves turn red, yellow, and green

I am from walking home with the streets and sidewalks filled with the evidence of changing seasons

I am from arguing with my three sisters and complaining about my older brother

From immigrants of a different world, sisters with different lives, and pets that come and go

I’m from Napa every summer, and sleepovers at my cousins because my dad can’t drive home

From do what you love when you grow up, and make good decisions always

To you have to get a job that makes real money

From going to church at four years old

To never going to church again

I’m from baliadas in the morning to tajadas in the afternoon

From a mother that works two jobs and and dad that works his 9-5

I am from I’ll work hard to get where I can feel permanently peaceful and safe

And the memories that will accompany me throughout

# data[].attributes.body
I am from a city of unknowns,

A city full of colors and smiles,

The city of Pittsburg.

I am from a place not looked much on a map,

A city that isn’t crap or scrap,

But a city in which the sun shines and the train horns.

To the city outskirts, a lovely bay awaits,

To where you’ll see the water go beyond what the eye can see.

I’m from a family of workers and diligence,

From my mother and father, Elisa and Abel,

To My sisters Liliana and Mariana,

To finally my brother David.

From the dearest words of my mother,

Give the hardest you will,

When you reach a standstill, think what you wouldn’t,

Outside the box, you shall see.

I’m from a church of Catholics,

To where I did my first communion.

Born in Walnut Creek but wait.

My heart speaks,

Born there yes but forever home shall be Pittsburg,

To what I shall agree.

My mouth salivates from the smell of tortas,

Then my tummy trembles at the sight of quesadillas.

To the lowest part of Mexico,

To then the states,

A treacherous journey my father proceeded through.

Going across a bridge is my mother,

Up up up she is.

Down the water yells and screams,

She mustn’t look at what fears her the most.