Born on the Border Author’s Note

I was born and raised in the border town of Brownsville, Texas.

Growing up, I didn’t realize my hometown was such a politicized area. My first memory of this reality was around 8 years old in downtown Brownsville. I saw a group of people hitting a piñata of a brick wall. At the time, I didn’t understand the gravity of it. I knew something significant was happening but couldn’t place what.

Throughout my childhood, the most prominent things in my life were hard work and family. As a senior in high school in 2016, the media would reflect a narrative of my hometown that I did not recognize. I didn’t understand why.

My parents sacrificed to afford college as first-generation college students in their youth. Their determination and belief in the power of education enabled them to support me when I attended college.

I was grateful to have the opportunity to go to college. This is an opportunity not many get to have where I’m from because of lack of resources and funding in the area.

I went to college intending to pursue social impact work with nonprofit organizations after graduation. I had no intention of working in politics. I studied public relations with a minor in social work at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

I graduated from college and saw the need to work within movements to ensure that people are okay. I wanted the best for people. I let go of the idea that the word “politics” is taboo. I recognized that the work I wanted to do in social impact spaces was intertwined with politics. The need for charity work is often because of the failing systems that exist in the country, and I was determined to be part of the solution to ensure people have equal opportunities.

In 2024, I worked for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in Washington, D.C. It meant a lot to me to represent my community in such a big way and advocate for people. I wanted to bring compassion and care to a political world that can be very vile. Among other things, I helped form systems in my digital content program so we could create voter education resources in Spanish.

The election did not turn out how I wanted it to, but I know during difficult times, the one thing I have is my voice. I hope it resonates with people. I’m hoping that people will listen to my point of view as someone who was born and raised on the border. I have so much more to say, but these poems are what I have to say right now. I hope it makes people where I’m from proud.