Barreir Opportunity Scholarship

I grew up in Chihuahua, Mexico, where my favorite park showcased children’s art along all the bushes. You can find pictures of me posing next to my favorite pieces in my beloved white dress that I never took off. My love for every form of art was evident from a young age. However, as the eldest daughter, I was consistently discouraged from art and instead, I was pressured to pursue a successful career. Thus, I kept my artistic interests to myself as a simple hobby. While Chihuahua is rich in culture and history, behind this vibrant veil is its struggles with high rates of femicide, influenced by a toxic machismo culture that marked my upbringing. Witnessing a fair share of violence and domestic disputes, I was left a fearful and confused child amongst the method of the madness. When I was around three years old, my mother finally left my father, and we moved to a border city in Texas. While the days of the constant barking fits were gone, my mom endured a more oppressive partner in silence. Due to her and my brother’s undocumented status, there was too much at stake, leaving us trapped in a secretly coercive home. It took 17 years for my family to earn residency here in the United States. My stepfather's true colors emerged then, knowing his powers were losing grip as my mother entered the workforce. The rise of her financial independence threatened his position of power and once things took a turn for the worse, we moved out and became a single-parent household. This coincided with my final semester studying chemistry at community college. Inspired by my mom’s bravery, I decided to let go of my fears of failure and pursue art. I was met with a lot of doubt, yet I kept going. I quickly developed a passion for design as it encompassed almost every art medium you could think of. As I embraced design, my interest in sociology grew as well. I became fascinated by the way socioeconomic and patriarchal dynamics affected families like mine. Influenced by feminist theorists like Andrea Dworkin and Bell Hooks, I realized how commonplace domestic violence was in our culture and how our experiences echoed those in our community and history. I became a sociology major because I want to change the social problems complicit in keeping families like us trapped and anxious with no hopes of improving our situation. When I think back to my mom’s role models, Frida Kahlo and Che Guevara, I believe their influence had destined me to become an artistic socialist. I’d see their faces on our mugs, frames, and bookshelves. I was convinced combining my two interests was too unusual, but Che Guevara was a talented photographer and Frida Khalo was a member of the communist party. I am inspired by their drive for change and their artistic hearts. Music became a refuge for my anxieties as well. After immersing myself in the local music scene, I organized performances by local bands for charity that combined my interests in design, activism, and community organizing. I hope to transfer to UT Austin or Columbia next year because they have amazing musical environments. Being low-income and first-generation, I knew some opportunities were simply not meant for me. However, through enough perseverance and love for learning, I was able to conquer my doubts and work towards going to a school of my choice. I grew tired of being told what is and isn’t possible for me. I reclaim power in my disadvantages and I turn them into hope.