by Coleton Namie

I am from a house on Cesar Chavez full of imagination and opportunity

I am from a city that is determined to make the world a better place

I am from a little room that I sleep in and watch the stunning San Francisco sky

I am from having an exquisite view of San Francisco’s downtown

I am from having a determined mindset of achieving everything that I come across

I am from watching the pros play football and imagining myself in their shoes

I am from being a tough guy in sports to get far in that career

I am from kicking the wet, dirty mud on my legs as I run through drills at football practice

I am from warm and perfect burritos that are wrapped up in shiny silver tin foil

I am from baking deformed but mouthwatering-tasting pastries and goods

I am from cooking the most delicate meals yet always messing them up

I am from eating the finest steak in town with its tender red inside and its meaty juice escaping the body while my knife cuts and slices through the tenderness

I am from celebrating the most merry and joyful holiday of the year, Christmas

I am from celebrating family reunions every 5 years or so to spend precious time with loved ones

I am from seeing my Mexican family to share the special day of Cinco De Mayo 

I am from being called exceptionally and uncommonly tall for my age

I am from being named an athletically-gifted human being 

I am from being honored as one of the best football athletes in the school due to my ability and athleticism towards the sport

I am from being called a polite and caring person for others and myself

I am from having family and friends in different countries all around the world and only getting to visit them once in a while

I am from living in a rare time period of a global pandemic and surviving

I am from living in a city and country with so many people from different ethnicities and backgrounds

I am from living a one-of-a-kind life in the US, with so many opportunities surrounding me

This is where I’m from