Reading about rasquachismo, put into words what my family and I have been doing in order to sustain ourselves. It put into words what it has been like living a life of resourcefulness. I think of using our grocery bags as trash bags, an empty container of butter for salsa, hand-me-downs, restarting the water heater by hand when our water ran cold, taking showers with buckets of water and handmade soap. I think of watching YouTube videos to help me fix the annoying sound the toilet made. It is about doing what you can to preserve things and make do with what you already have.
I identify as rasquache because I see myself as a resourceful person that does not fit inside of the ordinary. As the first non-binary person in my family, I dress loudly flamboyant, I change my hair color every three months, and I step out of the normal because it is comfortable to me. I am misunderstood, but that’s okay.
My mom is the reason why I value things more, mend them, and repurpose them. I grew up with my mom as my only parent, and I saw what she had to do to seguir adelante. Even if it meant buying a $4 Ni Hao Kai-Lan (a show for preschoolers) backpack for third grade to save money. Even if it meant going to thrift stores all of my life. Even if it meant carrying a huge bag or jar of coins to the Vons to get cash for groceries. Even if it meant trying my hardest to go to school to get better opportunities.
Rasquachismo can carry you far. I know it has for my family and me.
No comments:
Post a Comment