Quarantine is like being an only daughter in a Mexican household Quarantine is like being an only daughter in a Mexican household. No sales. You don’t go out. I feel the knot in my stomach tighten every time I have to ask. One simple question unravels an emotional storm and all hell breaks loose. I feel the adrenaline pump through my body, the fear rush through my veins and the ticking bomb of my anxiety waiting to go off. As I walk up to my mother, I rehearse exactly what I’m going to say. Ma, puedo salir? No, that’s too vague. She’ll be annoyed by the lack of information. Ma, ¿puedo salir con un amigo? Asking to go out with male friend? That’s even worse. I walk in fear as I find the right words to ask her. The right words to ease her worries, and finally get her to say yes. And when my naive hope and optimism overpowers my fear, the words finally escape, I take a deep breath and say - “Ma, ¿puedo salir?” No. Quarantine is like being an only daughter in a Mexican household. No sales. You don’t go out. But when you do, it is imperative that you cover up appropriately. For your own safety, of course. Algo malo te va pasar si no te cuidas. My mother says. Something bad will happen to you if you don’t take care of yourself. Don’t wear those shorts. They’re too short, y ellos te van a mirar. Don’t wear that dress. It’ll draw too much attention. Don’t wear that shirt either. Usa algo un poco más conservador. She reminds me que es mejor prevenir que lamentar, and assures me that someday I will understand that all the restrictions are for my own good. Quarantine is like being an only daughter in a Mexican household. Believe me. I know. Nicole Mendez '21 (BHSEC Queens)
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From the Wyndham sisters to the Lindo sisters My mother one of the three, the creator of me My aunts, the extended branches of her & her role in my life Caribbean women, roots beginning in Jamaica Three different buds of the same flower, my grandmother Like the flowers my grandmother grew, she nourished them too. Plumeria vibrant and spirited, makes its statement in the background As a reminder of her to them, ‘I may be gone but I’m still here’ In them she lives on Subjects of my work, elements of my own masterpiece I thank you for being worthy Inspired by the works of Kehinde Wiley Like the realism he captures, I attempt to copy But in my own signature & John Singer Sargent By setting the foundation, I able to build a new and add to you With my own Interpretation and melanin representation I thank you each for your creations, that sparked the inspirations that feed my imagination From my shoe box of paints to my colored pencils, I thank you too This whole image was able to come alive and shine through you Felicia F. (BHSEC Queens) |
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