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A Borderlands Synthesis Essay blends ideas from different cultures and disciplines, examining the complexities of border regions and how they shape identities and power dynamics. I decided to pin this artifact because it relates to my borderlands synthesis essay and also to what I want to share in my testimonio.The place I pinned is my fathers house. In my borderlands synthesis essay there was a paragraph in which I was talking about chapter one in “Boy Kings of Texas: A Memoir” by Domingo Martinez. In this chapter I wrote “He describes her role as “her duty in producing a son for her husband, Mom was allowed some ten months off from incubating yet another child” (1). This quote triggered me because that's exactly how I saw my father treat my mother and grow up. I thought it was normal for men to control women so this followed me in my teenage years where I experienced not so good relationships with men because I thought that was ok. Sometimes one doesn't know that they went through trauma as children until they are older and it's clear that they definitely went through something”. I can certainly incorporate this evidence into my testimonio as it directly addresses the profound impact of a father's toxic behavior on a child, aligning perfectly with the themes central to my narrative. The place I pinned is my fathers house, the first house he bought after my mother and him separated and although he was no longer being a toxic partner to my mother he was doing the same thing to my step mother. In my essay, I embarked on a journey to explore the intricate layers of rhetorical analysis within the texts I selected: Sandra Cisneros' "The House on Mango Street," Domingo Martinez's "The Boy Kings of Texas," and Raúl Paz Pastrana's film "Border South." Each of these works resonated deeply with me due to their thematic exploration of immigrant experiences, which closely mirrored my own upbringing as a daughter of immigrants. By delving into the backgrounds of the authors and the contexts in which their works were created, I gained valuable insights into their motivations and perspectives. Through meticulous examination of rhetorical strategies such as metaphor, parallelism, tone, and imagery, I unpacked the ways in which these authors skillfully communicated their messages and engaged their intended audiences. Furthermore, I contextualized each work within its genre and purpose, recognizing how they contribute to broader conversations about immigration and identity. Ultimately, my essay served as both a personal reflection on my journey as a multicultural individual and as an academic exploration into the power of language and storytelling in shaping our understanding of complex social issues.

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A reflex statement is something a scholar or researcher writes in order to explain its identity and how it relates to its studies. I pinned this artifact because it's crucial for my story. It's where my childhood struggles began, you know? So, it helps me remember and talk about how those tough times shaped me. It's like a key to unlocking my memories and feelings. Looking back at it helps me understand why I feel the way I do now. And maybe by sharing my story, I can help others who've been through similar stuff. So yeah, this artifact means a lot—it's not just a thing, it's like the heart of my story. Even if my testimonio only reaches my professor and others, I'm glad that I was able to share my story. So this is why I decided to make my childhood one one of my artifacts

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Nakamura Kayly-My Testimonio ENGL 102 (3)

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Neuqua Valley High School, 95th Street, Naperville, IL

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the Borderlands Digital Story & Cover Page

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the Borderlands Digital Story & Cover Page

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-The artifact that I decided to pin is my high school. The cover page for my foto novela It's a key element that sets the tone for the entire project. With the cover, I aimed to give viewers a glimpse into what the novela is all about right from the start. I was also able to point out conventions and also explain what my location meant to me.

-I decided to pin my high school as one of my artifacts because it has a common factor to my cover page and fotonovela. In my fotonovela I chose to base it off on my abuelitos house and how it has seen me grow up, my mother and her brother grow up and it has also seen past generations grow up. My highschool has also seen that. My high school saw me evolve into a young lady and also saw my brother, my cousin Angel, my cousin Samantha and my cousin Amanda. This is the same highschool that my little brother and little cousins will also be attending so that same high school is going to see that generation as well. Something that I find so beautiful is that my mother and her brother raised their children to have a sibling cousin relationship because all the cousins I was talking about in my cover page and foto novela are the same cousins that went to the same high school or are going to be attending the same high school there just not old enough right now. So this is why I decided to pin the artifact because it has many things in common such as my cover page and my fotonovela.

-In conducting research for this unit, I employed a variety of methods to collect information about my grandfather's house in Guatemala. I conducted interviews with family members, including my mother, to gather firsthand accounts and historical context. Additionally, I collected photographs taken by family members and supplemented them with images sourced online. Throughout the research process, I observed the physical and architectural changes to the house over time and recorded significant details, such as dates of renovations and familial anecdotes. One key aspect of the research process was learning to balance personal insights with factual information, ensuring accuracy and authenticity in the storytelling. Overall, I gained a deeper appreciation for the research process and its role in informing and enriching creative projects.

-In creating my foto novela project, I carefully considered writing conventions, aiming to balance traditional expectations with creative elements. I structured the novela as a timeline to chronicle the evolution of my grandfather's house, adhering to narrative conventions. Additionally, I incorporated personal anecdotes and interviews to add depth to the story, aligning with expectations for personal storytelling. Visually, I maintained a consistent color scheme and thematic elements throughout the novela. While I followed many conventions, I also made creative choices, such as omitting a traditional paragraph ending in favor of relying on vivid imagery and concise storytelling. Overall, my goal was to create a compelling narrative that effectively communicates the story of my grandfather's house while engaging readers.

-I honestly really loved this project because I was able to go down memory lane and just feel nostalgic. My childhood in my abuelito's house was such an amazing experience and I was so happy that I was able to write about the house and also share my older relatives' relationship to the house. This house just means so much to us and I'm happy I was able to share the story of this beautiful house filled with rich history and memories. In this class I got the opportunity to write about things that I wouldn't normally write about so I don't think I will ever write anything like this and it's kind of sad in a way because through this writing your able to show things that are connected to your identity and really just write about yourself rather than just writing an essay about a book. That's what regular english classes do and i'm glad I chose this english class because it's so different and I felt a sense of belonging in this English class.

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Nakamura Kayly-TEMPLATE Unit 2 Part 3 Digital Story Cover Page  (1)

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Adler Schools Inc, West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, IL

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 identify the activity you engaged in as part of our coursework

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 identify the activity you engaged in as part of our coursework

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-The artifact that I chose is my mothers first daycare. This artifact represents discussion 9.

-I chose to highlight this artifact because it resonates with my belief that locations hold deeper meanings beyond their geographical coordinates. The classroom discussion 9 we engaged in aligns perfectly with this perspective, as it explores the rich cultural exchanges and identities associated with borderlands.

-At the University of Arizona, with its Hispanic heritage and focus on border studies, the concept of borderlands takes on particular significance, representing a dynamic fusion of cultures and histories. Through our exploration of borderlands English, we delve into the complex dynamics shaping these regions, gaining insight into the diverse experiences of those living along the border.

-This activity helped me build my understanding of what it means to be a borderlands writer in the University of Arizona because before this reading I was very confused on what the borderlands meant and especially because the way Ms would describe it in class. I thought it always had to be a physical place in the border but then I learned that it dosent always have

to. It can be a place that has the same features as the borderlands. When this discussion was assigned it was around the same time that we had to pick a place for our Unit 2 project and I originally was going to do a place that was in the borderlands but thankful I was able to get a better understanding on what was expected in this project so I was able to pick out a place that I had a deep connections with and a place filled with a lot of culture and history. So this is how that discussion post helped me understand what it means to be a borderlands writer at the university of arizona.

-This activity strengthens my engagement with borderlands genres, languages, traditions, experiences, or practices. Because I learned that the term borderlands doesn't always need to be a palace on the border. It can be a place that shares the same features as the traditional meaning of the borderlands. Engaging with Lydia Otero's chapter from "In the Shadows of the Freeway" strengthened my understanding of Borderlands genres, languages, traditions, experiences, and practices. Through her work, I explored narratives specific to borderland communities, gaining insights into diverse cultural perspectives and linguistic expressions. By empathizing with the lived experiences depicted in the chapter, I developed a deeper understanding of the social, economic, and political challenges faced by these communities, fostering empathy and critical thinking. Borderlands literacy, characterized by an understanding of the unique dynamics of borderland regions, is invaluable to me as a writer and learner in academia. It equips me with cultural competence, interdisciplinary insights, and the ability to advocate for social justice, while also facilitating personal and professional growth in a globalized world. This is how discussion 9 helped me.

-This activity Discussion 9 on Lydia Otero's chapter from "In the Shadows of the Freeway" has profoundly influenced my sense of identity and belonging. By recognizing that places on a map hold more than just geographical significance, I've come to appreciate the rich tapestry of memories, stories, and experiences embedded within them. This realization has deepened my connection to my own cultural heritage and community, fostering a sense of belonging rooted in the shared narratives of borderland experiences. And this activity has sparked introspection about my purpose as a writer. Through Otero's narrative, I see the power of storytelling in amplifying marginalized voices, challenging dominant narratives, and advocating for social justice.