New America - Lowry Speaks! CafĂŠ Cultura Community Speaks Project #43 Youth in Telling Our Stories Program
New America - Lowry Speaks! Copyright Š 2017 by Youth in Telling Our Stories Program All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the author.
To the insightful and resilient students in our class: Speak your truth, keep moving forward, and become the leaders we need! #CafeCultura #XpressYourself #TellingOurStories
Acknowledgments Thank you to the staff at New America School – Lowry for the opportunity to guide your students in finding their voice. Special thank you to the participants for sharing your brilliance with us. Remember: “It’s our responsibility and choice to express ourselves and lift our voice, together building unity, leaders in our community. This is how we tell our stooorrrryyyy!”
Foreword It was a pleasure to begin a relationship with the New America School Lowry Campus in creating a supportive space for students to tell their stories. With Café Cultura’s “Telling Our Stories” curriculum as a guide, participants in our Poetry/Spoken Word class demonstrated tremendous maturity in addressing complex issues through poetry. Even though it took some encouragement, they pushed themselves to share their spoken word and provide each other feedback. This collection provides a glimpse into their world, one in which they have turned struggle into success. We look forward to staying connected, as they develop into the leaders we need. Enjoy and share their words! For those who do not know about our organization: Café Cultura is an award-winning arts, culture, and youth development organization in Denver that promotes unity and healing among Indigenous peoples through creative expression while empowering youth to find their voice, reclaim oral and written traditions, and become leaders in their communities. Café Cultura has been providing positive, creative, and engaging community spaces for the Denver metropolitan area for more than ten years. After the passing of respected elder and veteran poet Abelardo “Lalo” Delgado, we accepted responsibility to continue using our oral and written traditions to provide opportunities for creative expression often not offered in schools or in the larger community. Café Cultura also drew inspiration from the movement connecting Indigenous people from throughout the Americas. We use creative expression to unify people representing southern Indigenous nations, known by terms such as “Chicana/o” and “Latina/o,” with those Natives of northern nations, referred to as “American Indian” or “Native American.” Café Cultura hosts one of the best open mic venues in the Denver metropolitan area, and the only space focused on family and
youth. We also conduct highly engaging and culturally relevant spoken word/poetry workshops for underserved youth throughout Colorado. CafĂŠ Cultura partners with select organizations and schools to facilitate an intensive workshop series, publish youth poetry, and organize participant showcases. In an effort to develop young leaders within our community, we also coordinate a youth leadership program for Indigenous youth. If you or your organization is interested in collaborating, feel free to contact us. For more information about our open mic events, workshops, youth leadership program, and other programs: www.cafecultura.org info@cafecultura.org 720-394-6589
Table of Contents Pieces by Vanessa ...................................................................................1 The Change by Jose ...............................................................................3 The Pride of El Salvador by Alex ........................................................4 My Guardian Angel by Arantxa ...........................................................7 What is Free? by Ashley ........................................................................8 My Past and Future by Juwanna ....................................................... 10 Soccer by Steven.................................................................................. 12 A Home by Adamaris ......................................................................... 13 Hidrocรกlida by Melissa ....................................................................... 15 Walkway by Gabriela .......................................................................... 16 Untitled by Marisela ............................................................................ 17 Lesbian by Vanessa ............................................................................. 20 La Luz de Mi Vida by Jose................................................................. 22 Life Without Phones by Alex ............................................................ 24 My Adventure by Arantxa ................................................................. 26 Complete by Ashley ............................................................................ 28 Dear Stupid Girl by Juwanna ............................................................ 29 Family Power by Steven ..................................................................... 32 The Trail by Adamaris ........................................................................ 33 Life by Gabriela ................................................................................... 36 A Long Hike by Melissa ..................................................................... 38 Whole Again by Vanessa.................................................................... 39 Shooting for Success by Jose ............................................................. 41
Mountain of Life by Alex ................................................................... 42 Motherhood by Arantxa ..................................................................... 43 Life is Photography by Juwanna........................................................ 44 Traditional Roots by Ashley............................................................... 45 A Song by Vanessa .............................................................................. 46
Pieces by Vanessa Chess, there is white and black, rather, the good and bad. You always argue to be the “black piece,” the fierce part of the game, the hard core color, but we will not try to obtain that skin color in real life. Either you are white and pure as everyone says, “They have not done anything wrong.” But the darker you are, the worse of a person you become the mass murderers. We cry and plead, as we try to put out that fire of hate, trying to shoot knowledge. This is dysfunctional, not even reasonable. Yet we ask people to not judge us. Reality struck. Your color has nothing to do with anything beside representing where we come from, where our razas grew up and taught us. We are all those black and white colors. We get controlled, told what is right and wrong. But who is the credible or the incredible?
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It is time to leave those laws, those rules. We need to come together. It is time to finally work together, change the levels of racism. We are not meant to eat the white part of an Oreo, and leave out the black cookie. Together, everything goes better.
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The Change by Jose I am a rebel full of rage and thunder, yet seated and controlled like a puppet by large, powerful statues with black suits and red or blue ties. I wish I could control my own words, thoughts, and actions as I take a step towards life and liberty. Yet I stumble and look around. I find myself shackled with these chains of corrupted steel, all alone in an empty cage full of broken promises and lies. They have been fed to my people through history and media, expecting us to be brainwashed. They want me to trade my humanity for patriotism. As I have no choice, I clench my fist and throw it high into the sky of blues as I cut the strings of authority. I am a Chicano escaping the USA penitentiary with power of my knowledge. I seek to change the world.
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The Pride of El Salvador by Alex I come from Quezaltepeque La Libertad, El Salvador, the best place I have ever been. I will always remember it because I was born there. My family is there. It is where I want to die. I will never forget where I come from, a place surrounded by volcanoes, mountains, and the capital city. It represents an ecosystem, peace, and nature. I feel sad when I think about it, because I cannot visit. I come from El Salvador, a beautiful country that holds my culture, “Cultura Maya.” I remember pyramids like Tazumal because I studied my history. When I was 12 years old, I visited one pyramid. It was an amazing experience. My grandfather told me, “Esto es lo que tus ancestros hicieron.” “This is what your ancestors made.”
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I will never forget because it is our history. They fought for our land. I come from pupusas, a traditional food in El Salvador and a Maya word. They are made with masa, frijoles, queso, chicharron, and whatever you want. Frijoles represent our skin color and are made by brown women. Ellas tienen el amor para poder hacerlas. Ponemos salsa de tomate por nuestros guerreros caĂdos. Salvadorans were born eating pupusas. We are still eating pupusas. We will die after the last pupusa plate. It is our culture. I will always remember my grandparents, because they sacrificed for two generations of family: their children and their grandchildren. I will never forget them, and how they worked for us. They represent respect. They told me when I was 10 years old, “work hard for things that you like, always follow your dreams, and never give up.â€?
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They sacrificed their studies because they worked hard for us. They make me feel proud because they made the person who I am now. I am them now. I am my ancestors’ dreams. I am a dreamer.
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My Guardian Angel by Arantxa I remember waking up every morning sin ganas de luchar otro dĂa mas. Depression and anxiety followed me everywhere. I had depression and anxiety written all over me, reminding me that once again, they were going to win the battle. All these medications and therapy were nothing but a waste of money. Failure would follow me. After years of hiding from all this torture, I finally broke free. Chains that kept me tied up, chains I dragged for so long, were gone. Now, future me will be much more than darkness. I will be light. My scars are my strength. I will not be manipulated anymore. These shadows still try to follow me. It is like World War II fighting this battle. But this time, I am the one to win. You cannot bother me anymore, because my guardian angel will help me fight evil. My guardian angel is my power.
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What is Free? by Ashley “You can have anything you want if you make it happen.� But how can you make that possible when the land of the free is no longer free? How will I pursue my dream when the government does not want to give any Pell grants? How can a dreamer dream, while having the fear of being deported? Why do I have to turn in papers when my family needs them? I need to take care of my dream, while taking care of my family. I need to make it happen to keep my family safe. Sin mi futuro, ellos son nada. I will take advantage of my opportunities and make our land free again. I will make sure my family has the right papers needed to be free, free from guilt, free from worry, free to be free. Proudly, I will see my degree. Proudly, I will stand with my family and face all the anti-dreamers we now call government. One day, you will be run over under my race. They say
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you can have anything you want if you make it happen. Luckily, we did. Momma is now a resident and we will be together to see the land be free again.
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My Past and Future by Juwanna I will never forget the cracked and broken pavement that twisted and turned onto the dirt road that leads home. “The Sheep Camp� is what my grandma called it. This hogan was a temporary home but I loved it so, surrounded by a sea of red, dried up dirt and wild tumbleweeds. I will always remember looking at the bushes and thinking how ugly they were, how they ruined the perfect landscape. But without them, the landscape would not be so perfect. These bushes had a secret though. They made tea. I did not believe my grandmother when she told me, until we went on a walk one day and got some. My grandma boiled them in hot water. It smelled divine. I remember the bitterness and sweet aftertaste, the soothing feeling as it goes down my throat to warm my body.
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I am the Native girl the school system forgot about. I am the Native girl who chose to leave the Rez. I am a dreamer seeking out who I am. Who will I become? What will I do? I am the student who struggles to keep my grades above C’s. I am the student who wakes up at 5am, but does not go to sleep until 1am. I am a Native girl just trying to take control of my future, and it all starts by graduating now.
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Soccer by Steven When I step onto that field, I feel the joy of life, hanging around with friends who I get to play with on the weekend for fun. I am running. The field is open, but my teammate does not want to pass it to me. He always looks down on me, because I sometimes fail. I told him we all fail, but stand up and deal with it, like a man. Keep trying. Practice, and eventually, you will get it.
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A Home by Adamaris Dear you, I want you to know a house is not a home. Just because you live in a place with a roof, it does not make it a home. Home is a place of love, family, and respect. But for as long as he stayed with you, it was not a home. You took beatings of hatred and wrath because he did not have what he craved for most, which was not compassion, self-betterment, or a family. It was the drugs and alcohol that meant more to him than to make your house a home. When he hit your mom, what hurt the worse for her: the deception, his fist, or the fact that you watched? Nothing in that moment hurt worse than watching our family being torn apart piece by piece,
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kick after kick. It got to the point in which the drugs controlled his life. His every move anything he did was controlled by the drugs, just as we were by our fear of him. Even though he is your father, he will never be your dad, the same way your house would NEVER be a home. The day he choked your brother and laughed was the day you realized this was not right. Our family was not right. However, we still managed to pretend everything was perfect. We knew it wasn’t but what force did we have to say otherwise. None. The day he left was the saddest yet best days of not just your life but everyone else’s. You could breathe completely and after what seemed like an eternity of tip-toeing around your own house, you knew you house was going to become a home. Your house was going to become a home.
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Hidrocálida by Melissa Mexicana, aunque a muchos les pese, sigo aquí luchando por un mejor porvenir. Esta india, a la cual subestiman, estará en la cima pero jamás olvidar de dónde vengo. Soy hidrocálida, originaria de Aguascalientes, donde se dan las mejores chascas en la feria más importante de México. La cual representa lo que estamos hechos los hidrocálidos Pues con orgullo y esfuerzo, logramos lo que queremos con orgullo hidrocálida.
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Walkway by Gabriela The walkway of a forest can be fascinating. With the many paths and walkways, you stand there confused. Which will take you the way out? Is there a shortcut? The road to your diploma will be in your hands. Is there an easy way out? GED. On your way down the path, you come across wild animals, some faster than you. You are running, trying to get out, just like wanting to skip class and leave early. Beautiful views are stopping you from walking. Time is being wasted. Darkness is rising. Your body has sunken into your bed. You are fighting the urges to get up and leave. You see the light in the darkness dragging you. You are following it, no distractions. It is the end. Now, you reach the roads where there are cars, lights, and life. You have made it. Welcome to reality.
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Untitled by Marisela I am a gordita made from the beautiful soft hands of a Mexican lady from El Tepetate, Mexico. My ingredients include masa, chile, beans, cheese, chicharron, y mas. I am usually made from scratch in her hands. I can taste a bit spicy sometimes, but I am sure I can get you full. I am made weekly, because that is the only way I can earn her some money. I do not know where I come from. I do not know what my name is. I do not even know if I was given a name or not. What I do know is that I was born in 1685. I can memorize many things in my head. I used to be the only one alive, but now there are probably a billion of me. I come in many different shapes and sizes. I have the power to store evidence in some cases. I can provide evidence to prove that that young boy is innocent, because I was there. I never knew that I would be this useful in the 2000s.
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People sometimes use me as a weapon to hurt others. But here I am still capturing memories for you all today. I am Lupe. I come from a land of tragedy. I will always remember that pitch black night when my feet were frozen cold as I crossed the river. The slithery water snakes did not get to me. The slippery fish swam in between my toes. No matter how bad I wanted to look back and check over my shoulder to see if I was safe and sound, I managed to look forward and search for my strength. This land I used to call home is just hell now. I look ahead of me, and here I am in heaven. I am a yellow flying kite. I can fly as high as the birds. With the wind slightly hitting in between my wings, I fly higher than ever. Arriving to the clouds, I see the white planes with different fonts. The little girl flying me has the string tied to her wrist. If she lets me go, I will run into the birds. I do not want to be let go.
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I do not want to be looked down at. I want her to look up to me. I am a yellow flying kite. God gave us the power to visually see another one of us grow. He gave us the most powerful weapon, to see our small blood ones grow. With these purple and blue veins, with my brown roots, I will have the ability to plant my future. I come from the city they call “Mile High City,� 5,280 feet from sea level, where the mountains are high up in the sky. The beautiful views decorate the city I grew up in, with the fresh pine trees filling up the hills. The sun shines down on my city, with the wet rain coming down. Slowly driving back into the city, I realize this is where I want to be, in the city of Denver.
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Lesbian by Vanessa Salvadoran, that you are: pure brown skin and the need to be a housewife. Girls, you cannot date the same sex, or that would be a sin. Boys, you like girls whether you like it or not. A “maricon” cannot be in a Latino family. “Marimacha,” the one word I hear. American, you are what you are, but get assaulted on social media, where we believe cutting and hurting ourselves can help us get over this social hate. Mothers understand. Fathers misjudge. Siblings just forget about you. The words “love who you are” are the things keeping me here, not the roses that turn to razors, as we lay on “that girl’s” grave. Soy Salvadoreña. I am a Latina. I love girls, and you can call Doctor Phil for a one on one, because what you need is 21st century common sense. I am Salvadoran
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and have pure brown skin. I will be never be a housewife, and will live that sin you are so afraid of.
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La Luz de Mi Vida by Jose I am a Chicano who has walked through darkness where my people struggle for a better life. I am a soul survivor searching for that light to shine into the darkness, not for me but for my people, searching for faith. I am Chicano who has fallen but will rise up to see our dignity. I will always remember to never lose hope. I will never forget where I came from. I come from mariachis, spicy foods, and Spanish history. I come from a place filled with rage, poverty, and an unfair government. I will always remember the roses and its colorful nature all around it. I hope to witness its beauty and its scars with my own brown eyes. I will always have an image of Guadalajara on my mind. Yo soy la luz y cera that melts to keep the spark on. I light up to show my people
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the path to greatness. I am fire that burns on rainy days when someone is ready to leave the universe. I am wick you light up as you pray with my image of the virgin Mary. I will always remember the light my mother would light whenever she said a prayer, a prayer for our future.
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Life Without Phones by Alex We hold our phones closer than we hold our goals. We are living in a time when we see our phones more than our friends, more than our families, more than our future. I wonder now, what is better: Post pictures to show your friends that you are enjoying a good time without them or call your friends and say join me, we will have a good time together? I remember when I was a kid. Everybody played together, ate together, and gave hugs to each other. But now, if you do not have Facebook, WhatsApp, or snapchat, you do not have any friends. Now, many people hate you because you did not say, “I liked your picture.� The technology is our friend now, it is our family, it is our life. But I still have a dream today. It is a dream that one day,
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we will enjoy good times together, we will play together, we will have parties without our phones but yes, with our friends. So my friends, let us live together and make our children enjoy life without phones so they will live better.
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My Adventure by Arantxa Traveling is part of my life. On my adventure, I made wrong turns, my mistakes along the way. Crazy things started to happen on these bumpy roads. One of my tire popped. I pulled aside from wanting to learn. I changed the tire and continued on again. Then a deer appeared in the middle of the street and soon crashed into it. I try to do my work or go to school but I didn’t really care anymore. After a while, I decided to continue because I am only halfway. After all that struggling, it suddenly started to rain. Quickly, I can feel the lighting surround me and you. I step on the gas so I can get away from all those people who only want to bring me down. I am hours away from my destination. High school has not always been easy. But I continue to move forward. After all those struggles, I finally reach my destination.
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Now, I am on track to graduate as I finish my senior year. I will go to college to start my career as a Vet. I made many wrong turns, did not go well-prepared. At the end of the road trip, it was worth it, worth learning from. On to the next adventure.
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Complete by Ashley It just takes a smile from your face, to put a smile on mine, thinking about the way your small hand wraps around my finger to feel safe. The cute smile on your face brightens up the darkest shadows. Your simple kicks make you look as if you are dancing. My adorable baby boy, it just takes you to fill up my heart. It takes you to complete me.
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Dear Stupid Girl by Juwanna Even though you are frustrated, confused, and lonely right now, life is only going to get better. You will see. You are 20 right now. Things are still confusing and frustrating, but you are not alone. You are loved and you have so much love to give. It’s ok. You have applied to colleges and been accepted! We are exactly 20 days away from graduation. Can you believe it? You have successfully kept your first legal job. Congratulations. We are actually responsible. It took us a while, but we made it. I could scold you about all the stupid decisions we have made, but they made us who we are. So relax a little and let me give you a little advice to make the bumpy journey durable. So here is what you should know: Do not be afraid to speak up. People want to talk to you, they are just waiting for you to let them in. Do not push others away, it is not healthy.
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Forget about what others have to say. We are our own person. Things will be said, so do not let it hurt you. Do not settle for less because you are so pure and deserve so much more than what we got. Do not let them hurt you because we are strong. We just did not know it yet. It is ok to have fun, but keep up the motivation. Do not stop drawing. Let whatever you feel out onto the paper, not your wrist. Your body is beautiful, so do not try to modify it. People will love you for you, so there is no need to change. Life is pretty confusing. People will leave, so do not expect them to stay. Grandpa and Uncle loved you, so do not blame yourself. Everyone has an opinion, do not misinterpret it. You are worth it! You are valuable! You are strong! You are not too much! It is not your fault! You are beautiful! So close your eyes, take a deep breath, and smile.
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Love, because everything will get better. Sincerely, A Happier You
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Family Power by Steven I am the arroz chaufa my mom makes with a special recipe. The mixture of rice, chicken, egg, and sauce makes me feel energetic with an amazing food on the table. It tastes like heaven with a terrific smell of mother’s love. I will never forget my brother, a man who has worked hard to help my family through tough times. He has shown me how to become a man. I will always remember all the lessons he taught me over the years that has helped me develop into the young man I am today. I hold his lessons while I am trying to find my path.
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The Trail by Adamaris As you are walking through the trail, you realize everything that is wrong with it. When you do, it is everything that is wrong with your life. You walk and there is trash, trash everywhere. When you think about it, your life revolves around people who continue to put you down with words, meaningless, useless words. Do not stress because someone not too far ahead is picking up that trash. As you continue walking through this trail, you see wolves just far enough to where you can see them but they cannot see you. These wolves are just like your grades in school. You are scared of them. For what?? If they are far away, why are you scared? You are scared because in the blink of an eye, these wolves can tear your whole life apart, just as easy
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as those grades. As you walk further down this trail, you start to notice that there are a lot of rocks. You think to yourself, “You cannot climb these. Come on, let’s turn around and wait in the car.” You cannot. Your brother has the keys and he is leading the group. You can never be positive and uplifting towards yourself because you are not used to it, just like the rocks that you are climbing. I mean, you cheer and read for fun. Did you think that it was going to be easy??? Well, no. As you walk forward, you start to see the end of the trail and start to recognize the things wrong, not only with the mountain, but your life too. You think about everything and it is super overwhelming. But when you take the time to look around, what do you see? Beauty all around you and that is it. You are young and beautiful.
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Even though there are hardships all around us, that does not mean to give up. It means push harder so you can get to the top and see that beautiful sky line.
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Life by Gabriela I am your necessity. You will take me where you go. I am full of your needs. I come from your closet, that dark place! You should never leave me behind. You forgot to pick me up from the chair you sat me on. Running with me and holding me is a stranger, not you, mom. Digging through me, he takes the few valuable things inside of me. I was left in the trash, no longer useless. The man left me, so careless. I am your purse! I will never forget the sacrifices my mother has made, to give me a better life. She let go of her education to give me more. She has worked so hard for many years like along non-ending road. I will always remember her telling me my only way out was the world of education. She might be hard on me, but it is for my own good.
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I am beautiful, rocky as a plane coming down as the wind is blowing. Waterfalls come down like a bird hitting your windshield. Up in Boulder, everything is cooler. The trail there is dangerous. Deaths have occurred, but it has not stopped me nor others from going. With such a beautiful view, it is worthwhile. I see tears come down her face, rushing down her face as quick as a flood. Her sadness is appealing, despite the drastic expressions, emotions: cold as ice, darker than life, meaner than you. Her sadness is deceiving. You will be gullible as she makes herself look. Triggered from the racial comments, they create anger in her.
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A Long Hike by Melissa Life is like taking a hike. You have to reach the top, your goal. It is not easy getting there. As I walk toward my goal, I have friends by my side. It is a long walk to the top. You have to put to the side the rocks that get in your way. They could anyone who makes you trip. Move forward not looking behind, what you just put aside. The temptation could lead you back. I have a goal that pushes me that makes me go faster. It is also the light when it gets dark and the thunder attacks. The only thing I see is a path with light that makes my step bright.
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Whole Again by Vanessa I am the traditional pupusa made by my mother and my grandmother. The breathtaking smell makes you remember smiles and beautiful moments. I am El Salvador, the small nation in Centro America, where life is cherished. It proves itself to be the most brotherly loved country. I come from a broken home, a brother who watches over me, a mother whose lover is not my dad, a family that once was happy when my mother made pupusas. I am the fresh taste of queso and loroco I see guanacas put in their pupusas. I am not spicy, but rather have great flavor with esas quemaduras. I am mixtiada. I come from razas perfectas Centro Americanas. They confuse me all the time. They will call me gorditas, but I am not stuffed. Tengo quemaduras de mucho estilo. Me confunden. They call me a tortilla.
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I am not plain. I come from fresh taste and lots of love. I am a pupusa SalvadoreĂąa. I am the traditional pupusa made by mother and grandmother. I will be the next to wonder and create the palmadas of my future.
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Shooting for Success by Jose I stand straight and sharp, ready to pull back and release to my target. As I stretch with fear, trembling yet joyous, I know I am a few seconds from realizing my goal. I am ready to be fired. I am held back by negative forces, as each time the string breaks. I stand straight and sharp, but going nowhere. Waiting to be helped, I grab another string and get back up. I brush the dust off me. I am ready to be released on my way to hit success. Life is like a bow and arrow, ready to shoot for success.
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Mountain of Life by Alex Every life is like a mountain. You start from the bottom and do not know how to climb. You have to try if you want to be on top. In every life, we have some problems. We have people trying to stop us. When you worry about those things, you make it double. There are many rocks on your feet, but you have to avoid them and stay up. When you are in the middle of the mountain you will think, “Can I continue?” or, “Stop here and stay here always.” You will be confused, but do not forget where you started, where you are now, and where you want to go. You have to be different than other people, and one day, you will be on the top. Do not forget how you got there. In every life, we have some problems. But do not forget why you want to be on top and you will make it better.
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Motherhood by Arantxa I a beautiful, short, and a strong Mexican mom. I come from Durango, Mexico, a place where the air is dry. I will always remember that I crossed the border to have a better life for my kids and myself. El rancho en donde yo nacĂ esta hermoso, with sandy roads as if we were on the beach. I will never forget to tell my kids to follow their dreams. I came from a place considered poor but I knew I was always rich. I am a mother of five who always does the impossible to keep my kids happy. I would give my kids the stars. They are bright as the sun. My heart melts when I wake up every day, knowing I woke up to care for them. I am a strong Mexican mom.
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Life is Photography by Juwanna This camera is me. Even though it is temporary, it holds secrets, thousands of photos, thousands of memories all jammed into one drive, the dents and scratches, photos with no captions, all in black and white. No one knows but this camera is me. They see the developed pictures but not the retakes. They feel the inspiration that I never meant. They do not see the color of what life is like. It is not a skill but a gift to pick up this camera that is me, and to focus. Focus on the important things. Capture the smile, the tears, the hate, the emotions, the silent inspiration, and the journey. It is okay if the shot did not come out because I will always shoot and I developed from the negatives. No one knows but this camera is me.
Youth in Telling Our Stories Program
Traditional Roots by Ashley Many people like our traditional roots, from a place well known to some. Mucha gente le gusta ir por sus fiestas every year. La fiesta de la Noria de Molinos, Zacatecas, that is a place to be in May. La comida takes over other smells around with the empowering aroma of enchiladas, tacos, gorditas, ceviche, and birria. La música nunca falta en hacer a toda la gente bailar. Soy Zacatecana y con mucho orgullo lo grito porque los colores are what represent the land in where your grandma was born. Los nopales hechos con chile a mano acompañados con arroz y tortillas recién hechas: a dinner that until this day we eat. La Virgen María, la madre de todas las madres, blesses and guides you every day and night. The outfit that makes you the cutest kid stands out: Tu eres mi Juan Dieguito.
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New America - Lowry Speaks!
A Song by Vanessa A piano. A musician will start each day with a new song. Each day is a new start, like each day I open my eyes, maybe achieving something to make my family proud. A piano. It depends on the way you play it. Each touch of a new key holds a new tone, much like each day holds a new path way in life. You may not play it perfect right away. We are meant to make mistakes so that we can overcome. We decide to include the bad moments as a black key or good moments as the white keys of relief. The song’s final notes are the decisions we make in life. We fulfill each day as a new song with new beginnings. There is always one ending or a reason why.