In class, we were told to write letters to our future children (if we decided to have any), about colonization. In this letter, we talked about the many different things that colonization does to people. Many people wrote about the injustices of it. In my piece, I wrote to my future children about the power in their names.
Josiah and Maxene, There have been many times when your middle names have been mispronounced. I want you to know that these are strong names. Eucito and Bugayong are names given to your great grandpa and great great grandma. This is a legacy that I want you to know, understand, and cherish. Our line of ancestors is strong and, so are you two. Don't be fooled by your history books. We are more than a colonized people. The paragraphs in your text books may be small but, the impact of colonization is huge. You may not be familiar with this word but, you have seen her fruit time and time again. Her fruit is the insult of the word "fob" when you call one another 'kuya' or 'ading'. Her fruit is the multitude of white faces on the screens you watch. Her fruit is our family's warning of the sun changing the tone of your skin. Do not eat this fruit. As beautiful and attractive this lie may be- do not eat this fruit. Take pride in your names, my loves. Love, Mama
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May 2017
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