This writing was originally published as part of the X collection with Color Bloq (EFNIKS at the time).
During my short time raising a child, I’ve learned the beauty of trusting myself through this seldom charted path of trans motherhood. Still, I’ve often wondered how my mother found the vulnerability and power to raise my three sisters and I, in a world filled with unknowns.
Read MoreThis writing was originally published by the Daily Cal, Cal in Color.
My mom taught me and my sisters the important things — there is literally no use in crying over spilt milk. Microwaves can be used to bake cakes. We do not have to rely on men for stability. Education comes first, but knowledge isn’t always from the institution. And, brown women are powerful, but we must work harder to be recognized as such. I remember watching her talk, holding nothing back. She had this grace with her words, raw and unfiltered. I understood her to be the most powerful woman in the world.
Read MoreThis writing was originally published by the Daily Cal.
Thinking back, we were not meant to win. For Rizza and I to have won the executive slate, the student body would have had to put its energy and faith behind two outspoken bitches who were coming for the throats of the institution. Ha, I admit — it was a long shot. But it was a long shot that I do not regret attempting.
Read MoreThis feature was originally published in collaboration with LUSH for their 2018 trans rights campaign.
Being a transgender youth in the United States can be isolating and dangerous.
Young folks who are trans or non-binary often face family rejection, violence and harassment—all because of their identity. But trans youth are determined to change the narrative. By speaking up, sharing stories and challenging stereotypes, they’re creating a movement for equal rights.
Meet Juniperangelica Cordova, a 21-year-old student and elected senator at the UC Berkeley student association. She’s using her trans femme voice to advocate for inclusivity at her college campus and beyond. We chatted with her about the role of allies in the youth-led movement for trans rights.
Read MoreI do believe that trans women and femmes are some of the most powerful people to survive this world. For so many reasons, the girls embody what resilience means.
When I choose to wear a dress, I know the weight for my decision. I know this means the fabric will contrast against the body hair I chose not to shave off. I know the juxtaposition of masculinity and femininity will make people stare. And I mean stare. I mean, eyes locked, jaws dropped, fingers pointing.
Read MoreThis writing was originally published by the Daily Cal opinions. Artwork by Xinyu Li.
Free speech is not dead. It was never alive.
I am over the debate on this campus between UC Berkeley conservatives and those on the left who still have energy to argue. Free speech has always been a tactic used by the state to grant the illusion that all voices in this nation are valued, yet there is a reason why Black female senators are discredited and why there is a white supremacist in the Oval Office.
Somewhere in all our political discourse, we lost the point. We forgot that the people, the victims, the survivors of state violence we casually discuss are people living the experiences we have the privilege of discussing from a theoretical, omniscient perspective.
Read MoreThis writing was originally published on BrownBoiSpeaks.
My mother always explained to her children that our sisters are the only people that will be by our sides, forever. She instilled in us, that no matter how many times we fight and how many friends we have at school, the four of us (whether we liked it or not) are here until the end. On the same note, as a Chicana from a large, loud family, she always reminded us that our family will remain intact as long as we live.
What she never mentioned was that there would be years of questioning ahead in my journey that would keep me wondering, how many conditions were held under our unconditional love?
Read MoreMy voice is still dangerous.
I think the danger comes from the little girl in me, la chingona, who is emotional and vocal. I think that the danger is rooted in our fear of being emotional and hesitation to be vocal.
But when your mouth is a land mine in the eyes of others, I feel that there are two options.
Listen. Assimilate. Sometimes for survival, sometimes for gain.
Scream. Question. Fight. Challenge. Write.
