I’m from a home with many different depictions of the Cross because if you can grow with parents from two different denominations in the south and manage equity and diversity of faith worship and still be a believer, then you have truly learned to love. 

I'm from a home filled with the sounds of laughter, Old Skool R&B and Gospel, and the televisions blaring with sit coms, documentaries, and sports events.

I'm from a  neighborhood where I live peacefully in a community that is rich in cultural diversity and where most of the residents are even older and quieter than I am. 

I'm from families with ties that are blood, extended, fraternal, church, professional, within social circles, and communities interwoven to help me truly love. ie. Mom, Darrel, Denise, Miles, Mya, Justin, Stephanie, Jacob and Jackson…

I'm from “Take one day at a time,” “CYA,” and “Not my monkey, not my circus”.

I'm from a home with the smells of Fried chicken, Barbeque ribs, Collards and corn bread, Fried fish on Fridays, and a glazed pound cake that will make you smack yo’ mama!

I'm from giving thanks prayerfully in all things and from having an appreciation of mutual kindness and respect.

I'm from Durham, Fayetteville, Raleigh, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina Central University.

I'm from a place where the King’s English, Ebonics and vulgarity are spoken masterfully as required by the rules of survival and codeswitching.

I am from accordions and guitars reverberating off the canyon walls, that echoed like the flicker of the campfires as folk songs pierced the night in drunken French, German and Spanish tongues.

I am from playing hide in seek in the backyards of my entire neighborhood, sweaty from the summer heat, kids on bikes, free to roam the streets past dark. 

I am from Jenny, Taco, Raven, Issica, Aurelia, Veronica, Grandma, DeDe, Dune-ja, and Tai-Tai

I am from “Wash your face, brush your hair, and don’t bug Grandma” on Thursday nights when she came to babysit so my parents could go to their Agni Yoga meeting, practice mediation, eastern mysticism, and attempt to make up for their alcoholism, abuse, and neglect.

I am from posole, enchiladas, sauerkraut and sausage, fried okra, and spaghetti, where the smell of roasting green chile signals the fall, and Thanksgiving plates were a trip around the world. 

I am from nightly family dinner, leaving places cleaner than you found them, and taking care of others.

I am from English, Spanglish, French, Spanish, German, and Italian, all flavored with a New Mexican "moach". 

I am a survivor, raised by Jekyll and Hyde, thankful to know better and do better. 

 

Where we ate dinner with my grandparents on weeknights and savored my Grandma’s cooking, like round steak and gravy, pork and sauerkraut, and corned beef and cabbage;

 

Where you’d hear the sound of my Mom’s squeaky Toyota 4-Runner pulling into the driveway, right before dinnertime;

 

Where aunts would tell you, “It’s none of your business what other people think of you;”

 

Where adventures big and small were around every corner, like walking up to the local middle school on the weekends with my Dad, Aunt and Uncle; or packing up my grandparent’s Ford Escort, our cross-country traveling machine, and driving to Georgia;

 

Where English was spoken growing up, but new languages like Spanish, were added into my world over time as my family circle got bigger; 

 

Where now, the neighborhood block party in the summer is an August highlight;

 

Where a childhood of arts and crafts led to an adulthood with a craft shed constantly cluttered with great ideas and projects-to-be.   

I am from traveling with my grandmother, my best friend, along the pacific crest trail in one summer, eating seafood from the Pacific Northwest down to Baja California.

I am from an absent father and a hardworking mother, doing everything she can to raise us well and provide us opportunities that she did not have.

I am from classic Betty Crocker dishes, meatloaf and beef stroganoff, ambrosia, ham and bean soup, all made with love and hard work to fill our bellies.

I am from having an older sister whose footsteps I can follow, a beacon of light, someone I admire.

I am from my extended family, the family I made, whose unconditional love, acceptance, and goodwill helped me get to where I am today.

 

 

Growing up laughing and playing, safe in our cul da sac with all the other neighbor boys and girls. 

 

Two working parents that strived to provide for my sister and I. Mom was in college still, dad would make yellow food night (craft mac n cheese, corn and apple sauce) still love it today! 

 

Pool days, splashing and enjoying the San Diego weather, with a golden tan all year long! Never wanting to come in for dinner, just having too much fun with not one worry!

 

Older sister that showed me the way and taught me how to step out of my comfort zone, learning to love myself and accept my traits and embrace them.

 

Now I am married, with my own family and children. Living on the same street I grow up on, watching my kids now laugh, bike and play with not one worry, besides "What's for Dinner" 

 

I love my life!

I am from picnics, Jell-O salads, beef, and baked goods. I am from everyone helps, but women belong in the kitchen and men work outside. I am from work is most important.

I am from family that doesn’t get along, divorced parents, and severed relationships, but we all still get together because we are family. I am from drinking coffee all day and drop in visits. I am from disfunction at its finest.

Now, I am from friends are the family I choose, busy city streets, and taking vacations. I am from we all help, and our roles aren’t defined by our gender. I am from open and honest communication and respect. I am from my past doesn’t define my future. 

I am linked to the past through music. Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, the Eagles and Yes filled the speakers of our 8-track as my sister and I sat cross legged on a throw rug, eating Fritos and Bean Dip.

I am from traditions. Christmas Eve was HUGE in my family, and there was usually 30+ people there. Our living room with its giant stone fireplace was where we all gathered. The kids acted out the Nativity. Then Santa (usually a dude from the church) would show up and hand out a gift to every kid. The food was incredible with everyone bringing their best dish to share. We always had a big Ham, homemade rolls, and some baked beans on Christmas Eve.

I am from a religious background. The community of the church is the one thing I miss now. The parties for every holiday, knowing families for generations, and supporting each other through rough patches. Almost every week we would have missionaries over for dinner.

I am from a dog family. We always had at least one, but at times there were a dozen puppies and the mom. 

I am from wonderful homemade food. Dinner was usually Mexican food. Once we moved to San Diego, enchiladas, tacos, and burritos were staples in our home. My mom was a good cook, but really shined as a baker. Her caramel brownies were legendary.

I am from a family of eight, yet we provided a home to many other people. I can’t remember a time as a kid when there wasn’t someone else living with us. Hard work, making, building, fixing--all were revered in our home. Mom made clothing for my sister and me. 

I am intentionally leaving out the negativity of my past here. Because if I re-organize my narrative I can let the pain go. And move on.
Jill

 

I am from the long walk to the US.

 

I am from a woman with the spirit of a man, her husband.

 

I have moved FROM where they have laid the ground for me in order to show that the seed planted can grow even higher than expected.

 

I am on the ROAD LESS TRAVELED and it has made all the difference, even when it was rougher because of my own mistakes.

 

 I am with my partner that has chosen to be with me. I am from that world that we have created together.

 

I am in and out of my four children. I and she have raised these humans to be FROM us, but heading TOWARD their own worlds. Together we make our own galaxy, celestial and eternal, with crossovers to all other systems including friends, family and society.

 

I am from. I am toward. I am here. I am there.

 

I AM. 

-Marciano

that speak with an accent. 

Dark skin and a haunting legacy.

 

I am from poor 

at a private school. 

Empty stomach, 

empty wallet, 

but they’ll never know.

 

I am from California sun. 

Sand in the toes and sunburn. 

Carefree days

free from working parents’ eyes.

 

I am from It-took-three-tries-to-get-in 

but my first choice is where I studied.

 

I am from nights on the ground 

with the stars overhead.

Hundreds of them (Nights). 

Millions of them (Stars).

 

I am from living in my truck 

because there is a leisure class 

at both ends of the financial spectrum.

 

I am from the classroom

and student voices 

seared on my soul. 

Heart full.

 

I am from passion 

and mission 

and the world isn’t right 

but we can help make its so.

 

I am from marriages 

and fighting to be a father. 

29 trips to Guatemala 

but my children are with me 

(home). 

Fighting to be a husband. 

Blending laugher and tears. 

Struggle and success. 

A family as I never imagined it could be

(Home again).

 

I am from an ordinary life.

“Be good 

to the part of this world 

you touch.” 

That is enough.

 

-Steve Elia

I am from parents who grew up in poverty and were determined to succeed, achieve, and pushed their children to do the same, whose college graduation I attended, whose successes and honors I celebrated, and whose passing’s I still mourn.

I am from an Irish mother who equally bestowed love and harsh discipline on her children for their own good, who spoke in idioms, laughed a lot, yelled a lot, and was never without a book.  Though she is no longer here, I find myself using her language, saying such things as “long in the tooth,” “bitter pill to swallow,” “adding insult to injury,” “getting a taste of your own medicine,” “no spring chicken” and too many more sayings to recount.  These words roll off my tongue and seem to appear out of nowhere, to the amusement of some, but I know it is her.

I am from a military father who cherished law and order, obsessive neatness, and duty to family and country above all else, who cringed or worse at minor mistakes, but who was a rock during tragedies and could solve any problem, who loved his children tremendously but was afraid to show it and never said the words until later in life, who loved his wife above all else, stayed longer than he should have, and only left when she told him he could go, and she would be fine.  I still hear his voice in my head when times are tough saying, “Buck up!  You can get through this.”

I am from a Catholic family of children very close in age, who despite being my mortal enemies at times when growing up, are now my best friends, confidants, and support system, who do not live close to me and are desperately missed.

I am from people who love me.

I am from parochial education, preschool, elementary, jr. and high school because my mother believed as Malcolm X, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

 

I am from many faith traditions.  Born and raised Baptist, A.M.E., and C.M.E. then finding my path and voice in ELCA and Episcopal beliefs and walks.  

 

I am from the Curtis Park Projects, with cement stairs, linoleum floors, concrete sidewalks, and shared metal clothes lines. Community parties, front stoop gatherings with laughter and music late into the night.

 

I am from “Don’t let you mouth write a check your 🤬 can’t cash” and “Don’t let me have to tell you again.”  

 

I am from haircuts on the new moon, never cut a baby boy’s hair before they can walk and braids, braids, braids on Saturday morning. 

 

I am from summers of back door entrances, no counter service take away only, movie theaters where “colored must sit in balcony only” and be back on this side of the tracks before sundown.

 

I am from Classical, Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Soul Train lines, Motown records, and only Gospel music played on the radio or record player on Sundays.

 

I am from greens, pig feet, chitterlings, black eyed peas with ham hocks and okra, holiday fruit salad, sweet potato pie, banana pudding and home-made hand churned ice cream.

 

I am from the Trail of Tears driven out and dispossessed, the Middle Passage stolen and sold. Gatherings around elders to hear the stories of struggle, survival, hope, faith, God, and grace. 

 

I am from those who have through it all thrived. 

I am from the wildest dreams of my ancestors, those spoken and unspoken. 

I am.

I am the son of Arlene and Charles, authors, educators, generous souls.  

I am from a long line – that mixed privilege with poverty. My great grandfather, a peddler who immigrated to this country from Lithuania, literally gave up his name – his identify – because he was told that he needed an American name. He roamed the streets looking for names on storefronts until he stumbled upon a general store named with a fitting name.  He remained a peddler for his life and his son was a traveling salesman who struggled throughout his life to make ends meet. 

I am from the majority – a white, cisgender male born into privilege. 

Potential. Expectations. Responsibility. 

“You have so much potential.” 

“Justice, justice, thou shall pursuit it.”  

“Words matter.” 

The words that mattered most were unspoken: make the world a better place, challenge conventional wisdom, all people matter, family comes first.   

I am from the minority – a Jew who has lived places where no one had met yet alone known Jews before.  An outsider trying to fit in and not draw attention to the ways in which I was different. Uncomfortable. Embarrassed. Proud. 

I am from traditions that can be measured in generations, centuries, millennium. Festival meals. Family gatherings. Familiar melodies and prayers. 

“We are grateful for family and friends and what we mean and bring to one another.” 

“Ties that connect us and bonds that unite us.” 

I am from the big city, but no more. I am a wanderer, moving up by moving out. Tennessee. New Jersey. Long Beach. Boise. Palm Springs. Salem, OR.  Reporter. Editor. Publisher. 

I am from San Diego now, a beautiful oasis, nestled by mountains and trails, surrounded by Palm trees and chirping birds. 

I am from love. 

“Be who you are. “

-- Steve 

 

From a land of "the good suffer for the bad" because our wealth was exchanged for religion and now we are Christians in name but not spirit.

 

I was from a land where leaving is worth the struggle because "education is the one thing they can't take from you" and you can't get it there.

 

I am from a tight-knit community now turned to days and nights spent alone caring for myself while my parents worked to care for us all.

 

On Sunday's (mom's day off): gospel music (before church), R&B (after church), curry goat, jerk chicken, rice and peas, and fried plantain. Never understood why dad only ate the boniest cuts of meat. Years later he would tell me it was what he grew up with--and it felt wrong to eat better.

 

Being poor becomes a habit--it sticks to you. I get that.

 

Though I am from an affluent neighborhood due to the generosity of relatives.

Only black face in the crowd so you can always spot me. They'll ask: can you speak Jamaican? (They mean Patois.) Can I touch your hair? Do you smoke weed? We're in the sixth grade, Mike. And no, never have, never will.

 

Where I am from we work by discipline, not motivation. You can have interests, but we can't afford passion.

 

Have yet to see how that works out.

—Damian

The public library was my refuge and books were my lifeline.

“Make a difference” and “Live a life of purpose” and “Leave the world a better place” were the mantras of my people. 

 Gathering around a table with too many people, not enough chairs, and more food than could ever be eaten. A table where laughter, tears, joy, and family lore were passed with the salt and pepper. 

The first in my family to go to college. The first to get a degree before a wedding band. The first to balance a career and parenting. The weariness of explaining, traveling unknown roads without a map or guide wrapped tightly around too many firsts.

I am from King crab and Tiger shrimp boils on the beach with fresh drawn butter, smoked salmon and crackers, and moose meat smothered in tomato gravy. I am homemade cinnamon rolls, current jelly, raspberry-rhubarb pie, pudding shots, and fireball.

I am from dark, cold nights in the winter racing the snow machines on the lake and long sunny days in the summer waterskiing and fishing at midnight. This is my church, nature’s church.  I am one with nature in all its beautiful glory.  The dancing northern lights, the majestic mountains and lakes.  The beautiful ocean with otters, puffins and whales oh my.

I am now of the busy city, but long for the quiet, serene beauty of my youth.  I am now mother of Kelsey, Zach and Jordan but miss my own who has been gone from earth, but not from far from my heart. 

Traditions, books, and sayings of humor and love passed on through generations… “Can we have crepes for breakfast?”  “I brought you into this world.. I can take you out…”, “You are my sunshine…”  Good Night Moon,   “Love you to the Moon and Back”, Mama Do You Love Me…  all give bittersweet memories of days gone by. 

Liz and Lyn, best of friends, have grown with me from youth til now, sharing in the cycles of our lives for good and bad.. always a text, call or car ride away.

Life is good, friends are strength, family is best, and memories of HOME keep me content.  I have been blessed.

~Laurie

I’m from homemade, baked-with-love meals by the greatest self-taught cooks.

I’m from treating those around you with respect and working hard each day,

I’m from honoring commitments, whether big or small, and doing what you say.

I’m from a ceaseless beautiful weather report,

I’m from a flood of friendship and a sea of support.

All these experiences led me to AVID and over two million strong,

Together, we’ll keep helping that number rise—as sure as the day is long.