Discussion: Where Are YOU From?

Copyright © 2007-2011 Shaun-Adrian F. Choflá 

I Am From: A Poem of My Cultural Identities

By

Shaun-Adrian F. Choflá

Why a poem?

Growing up, even during early childhood and primary school, I was never considered a "good student." I didn't see the point. If you asked me the reason for my disinterest in learning ten years ago, I might have professed that what I was asked to learn was not relevant to me. Though there is likely some truth to this that was not entirely the only reason I engaged in what Kohl refers to as a refusal to learn. After studying anti-bias education (ABE) in college, using it with the young children I have been fortunate to serve, and teaching ABE in my college learning communities - I learned that my refusal to learn had more to do with how I was viewed by others.

I refused to learn because in so many ways my multiple cultural identities were dishonored, devalued, and disrespected by society and school. I was the fat, dark skinned Mexican others seemed to avoid. I was the effeminate boy no one wanted on their team. I was the kid with weird parents. I was often viewed and thus viewed myself as defective. What was the point in learning?

It took decades for me to recover from the pain inflicted on me as a child and writing the following poem was in part - one of many essential elements of my transformative journey. George Ella Lyon, an educator, poet, and activist, developed the basic design of the poem.

I wrote the following poem in honor and celebration of who I am, and everything that makes me - me.

Copyright © 2007-2011 Shaun-Adrian F. Choflá 

I am from tortillas and flan

from burritos warmed on an engine block

I am from a farm in south Phoenix, a house my parent's could barely afford in Scottsdale, the weekends in Prescott, and the summers in El Paso, Tejas

I am from four cars in the driveway that didn't work - the best place where I could pretend I was a racecar driver

I am from chickens, pigs, and cows

I am from "sit down before I make you sit down" and "Your Dad still loves you - he just had a bad day"

I am from Chihuahua, Mexico and Hamburg, Germany

From homesteaded land in El Paso, Tejas and a tent city for domestic workers in Chicago, Illinois

I am from love, pain, abuse, and fear

From unconditional love and hope

I am from a house full of dogs who taught me how to feel loved

I am from "You act like a faggot" and "They did mean anything by it - you are just special"

I am from walking home from school when I was five with my older brother and feeling like I could be anything (as long as he was near)

I am from eating food in my closet to being unsure why there was no food in the kitchen

I am from "Abuela Chula" with her jingling charm bracelets and Gramma and Granpa who lived in the woods and who could make anything out of nature (they even had raccoons!)

I am from a heart that wanted to love

From a soul who needed to be touched

I am from a world that did not appreciate my beauty until I was an adult

Where are you from?