Stephanie Montoya Avelos

Stephanie Montoya Arevalos

Where I am From

I am from bootleg Disney movies sold outside by Super Taqueria, where the shadow of people walk across the screen

I am from the brightly colored walls, none matching, but all corresponding

I am from the early bright and crisp morning, waking up before el gallo does

I am from hand me down clothes, always belonging to my older sisters or my mom's friends

From si te queda or alrato te queda mejor

I am from originality even when it has been done before

I am from being shown love by my parents through acts of service

From my dad buying me my favorite fruit and my mom taking care of me in sickness

I am from happiness in detail and priority

I am from family and Friends, coming together enjoying each others' presence

From si vas a venir vale or jalas o no jalas

I am from loteria, la dama, la sirena, el valiente, el borracho

I am from plants, home grown and love grown

From el guayabo, el limón, la pitaya

I am from Banda, Los Infinitos, Zirahuen

From live Banda in La Cancha, in warm Michoacan

I am from aguacates, nopales, queso, elotes

I am from falling asleep in church, but still believing in a higher being

I am from the worry and stress of generations before me

I am from motivation and courage, love and gratitude

I am from me

Bio Poem

Stephanie

Who is morena, coqueta, y alta

Who is daughter of the forgotten women whose eyes scream cajeta in the sun, my many mothers Maria

Who loves listening to the passionate voices of Pedro Infante and Linda Rosandt accompanied by the memorizing mariachi

Who feels the importance of drinking tea before taking medicine and praying for health and forgiveness for courage to prove it in actions

Who needs Banda con ambiente and Frison Horses kicking up dirt from their dancing to see my people’s successes

Who gives more emotionally than she ever could materialistically and who makes any moment feel like so much even with so little

Who fears the machismo and limited beliefs of her culture

Who would like to see Paleteros opening up grand ice cream shops

Who shares the same dream of creating a better and more fruitful future as her people

Who is just a morena con ojos de cajeta creating and living the future of her past generations dreams

Montoya Arevalos