I am from the hawk that flies over the treetops on the south side of Prospect Park

I am from the lake. The turtles laying idle under the deep summer sun.

I’m from  Salvador and Ellen.

I am from “call each other every day to check on each other”

I’m from “no toques nada!”  And  “del plato a la boca se cae la sopa”

I am from Mexico, Lithuania, chilaquiles, chiles rellenos and coffee cake. From Tito’s 50 year career as an accountant for PEMEX who never took a sick day, Grammy’s tender pastel paintings that never received recognition outside our family, endless sessions playing with my primos, climbing up pyramids of Malinalco, soft serve ice cream on the boardwalk, my first Advisees in 2006 at Prospect Heights International High School.

-I am from intrepid ancestors from books and music.

-I am from rent-controlled NYC apartments.

-I am from the earth. The soil.

-I’m from Charles and Lillian

-I am from reading.

-I’m from being twice as good.  And the Black National Anthem And Black don’t Crack

-I am from NYC  and Alabama and St. Kitts, cod fish and peas and rice.  Big Mother’s family being chased out of Mississippi, Myrna’s scrapbook.

2. My life experiences have impacted who I am and helped shape me into the person I am today. I am a fighter and I love supporting others through their struggles because I know how hard it is when you don't have that support or don't feel seen.

3. In order to better support my students in learning about their own identities, I would like to learn about how to talk about my own cultural identity (especially my race) and to feel comfortable talking about it.

you would like to know my country

you would like to know my gender

you would like to--

--father, brother, teacher 

aura, light, and darkness

magnetic, shy, and sad

and happy and chill

an umbrella when it rains

is what i am

I am from a house surrounded by gardens and chickens clucking.

I am from snow, from evergreens and wild Sumac.

I’m from Grandma Fitz and Grandma Lee

I am from card games after dinner and never-ending games of Risk.

I’m from “Always try your best” and Sting and “You know, mom, you’re always right ;)”

I am from old school retro meets the latest in tech and makeshift home fitness.

I am from the white roses and the scarred plum tree.

I’m from Ronald and Frances and Frances and Ronald. 

I am from hot peppers and problem solving.

I’m from you’re different and dumb and you are my sunshine. 

I am from oranges and Ferrazano faggioli  and the first person in the family to …

I am from NYC.

I am from there’s more to me and more to be done.

I am from a home that is constantly bustling with guests and that is filled with the aroma of Armenian coffee.

I'm from a culture where I always helped my mom cook and clean and told that you could do better than a 95%.

I am from a family where if you come over, you never leave hungry.

-I am from Blackness, from hot combs on the stove to plastic on my couch

-I am from the first-floor apartment in the front with the squeaky door.

-I am from the aloe vera and spider plants in the glass jars on the windowsill

-I am from Nee Nee and Bunny

-I am from 2 liter Pepsi’s

-I’m from the devil is a lie And Amazing Grace And who you think you talking to

-I am from Brooklyn and South Carolina, collard greens and mac and cheese

-I am from African drums and Salsa hips from rice and beans and natural hair care products.

-I am from the Eastern streets of Brooklyn and rowhouses crowded together.

-I am from the ZZ plant which sustains all weathers and the cherry trees which guarantee a surprise in early Spring.

-I’m from Mabel and Eddy.

-I am from family get togethers.

-I’m from Grandma’s stories about growing up and Guantanamera and “Monkey know which tree to climb!”

-I am from Brooklyn and Panama, rice and beans and plantains. From Uncle Telbert and his decision to drive straight into a brick wall when life was hard, and the secrets surrounding his death.

-I’m from Iris y Pepin. 

-I am from Dios te bendiga and talking fast. 

-I’m from “you’ll get sapos if you put that in your mouth!” And the Prayer to St. Jude.

-I am from Brooklyn and Puerto Rico and pernil and pasteles. From spirits who come back to warn us and a wind that cools even on the hottest days. 

I am the box at the top of the closet, frayed and almost-forgotten, but holding it all.

I am from the lilies and snake plants, platano and avocado trees in abuela’s backyard.

I’m from Jessica and Elvis

I am from don’t spill the milk and clean up after yourself

I’m from “don’t step on the crack or you’ll break your mother’s back” and 90s freestyle in the summer streets

I am from Lower East Side, Alabama, San Salvador-- black eyed peas, collard greens, sweet tea. 

From women who crossed borders to escape abusive men 

From women who worked in factories 

From women who provide 

From women who conquer