Monte was
my home for 21 years before my parents moved over to La Puente, and shortly
after I came to Humboldt for school. Though I haven’t lived in El Monte for
three years, I still call it home, and want to return. Cada vez que voy a ver mi familia lo conecto con ver a El
Monte tambien. Growing up I didn’t really get why my parents didn’t want us to
live there, why people laughed when I said I lived in Monte, why people called
it ghetto, and why we were known for only EMF. Monte for me was where I grew up,
where homies always hooked me and my bike up, where the trolley was cheap,
where there were eloter@s, where the Valley Mall was. Being away, I’ve been
able to think of my years in El Monte, and appreciate them more. When I was in
high school I knew we were poor, but couldn’t really explain the systematic and
institutional reasons why. Now that I do, it makes my love for mi gente even
mas grande knowing that they, against all fucking odds, struggled and survived
those systems. I see their struggle, and I’m grateful for the life my
parents created for me and my sisters with enormous efforts. I’m extremely
grateful for the compas of Colectivo Houtngna for exposing and fighting the
pigs, ayudar al pueblo y continuar la lucha.
Colectivo Houtngna is a group of Monte community members that work
to fight the problems that plague our community, like police brutality and
their abuse of power. Este colectivo tambien
crea comunidad entre tod@s nosotr@s por medio de convivios, arte, y servicio. Esfuerzos
y grupos como Colectivo Houtngna prove that we don’t need institutions to
create strong communities; we just need unity among us. Yo creo que por eso, estoy involucrado con grupos como
Colectivo Houtngna. Our communities have overcome, and continue to do so, but
sometimes the struggle against colonialism, capitalism, racism, sexism,
imperialism isolates us, and ends up creating distance between all of us that
truly have one common oppressor. Whether in Norcal or Socal that remains true.
It is truly a dangerous thing for our oppressors to see us united and strong,
and to instill fear in the forces that oppress and empower our communities is
why I’m involved with groups like Colectivo Houtgnga.
Vivo agradecida a gente
como ell@s y l@s que vinieron antes y l@s que vienen. Cuando me encuentro en El
Monte he podido juntarme con el Colectivo y participar en sus acciones y asi
poder contribuir un poco mientras estoy lejos. I miss El Monte and I miss
what it could be. I’ve felt the brother/sisterhood that we have as brown people
in Monte, I’ve seen the fire for change, and the love for the people and land.
Somos grandes y’all and together we are greater. Our community reflects us and
vice versa. I hope to honor the struggles of those around me by continuing to
serve my people and community with compas like Colectivo Houtngna.
