Author: J.Mar

I was born and raised in Kern County in an unincorporated area of Kern, CA. My parents moved there in the 90s to make a living as farm workers. Watching them barter their bodies, homelands, and family for a chance at the “American Dream” has caused me to reflect. My writing here is largely the unceremonious unpacking and repacking of what was won and lost in this exchange. My version of the dream consists of completing a PhD in Public Policy. I currently study public finance, public participation, and remittances in Mexico. I am also generally interested in the Latinx public finance experience. I’ve learned to be cautiously optimistic about the future. Lastly, I love plants and cleaning is a freeing ritual to me.

It Takes

It takes its strength from the pain of names expressed across the wall slats

It takes its pride from shaming expats

It takes its beauty from the earth and ocean blue

Posing as a natural barrier and warning that a fence exists in waves below

It takes its riches from confining opportunity for poor

It takes its sleep from dreams untold

Those that sit in reflective angst of what could unfold

It takes its connection from human bond

Like the couple communicating across gate cuffs

It takes its vision from creative artists like Enrique Chiu

It takes its knowledge from concealment of advocate exposés of truths

It takes its jurisdiction from demobilizing you

It takes its energy from first gen youth

It takes its legitimacy from told political hyperbole and lies

It affirms its presence when snapped as a backdrop for your timeline

It takes its culture from immigrant and transnational lives on flight

It reasserts itself when society tries to fight

Letting us gamble when you risk your life

Then threatens the house always wins despite our tries

Dismantling its power is the uprize!

J. Mar