Ms. Cruz was my teacher, but not just that. She was one of the first people who made me feel like my roots mattered. Every day she came to school in African attire, standing tall in her culture and her pride. She didn’t just teach lessons; she embodied them. Watching her was like watching a whole history move through a single person. She showed me that identity is power. That knowing who you are and where you come from can carry you through anything. This piece is my way of honoring her. And honoring every person who lives with that same unapologetic pride, reminding the rest of us that we come from something worth standing on.
Series: Personal Stories
