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.

A look in the Mirror

I love encouraging my mom to stand in affirming poses with her work bandanas. It helps us see the farmworker who is always hidden, even from themselves. It creates a time space for the worker who rushes home to get out of their chemical soiled, sweat dripped, and dusted work clothes to stop and think about the labor impact over their bodies. It helps bring out the strength of the toiled worker that hides behind the veil. It helps find the liminal spaces where femininity, masculinity, and gender become fluid on the field. Most importantly, it helps us reframe her everyday life as Lucha!