Children of the Corn

“Child of the Corn” was a short script inspired by my family’s taqueria in Chicago. The story is intended to be a light comedy, but still addresses the issues of gentrification happening in cultural communities. Xiomara and her little brother, Abel, are working at their family’s restaurant when they discover a new yuppie taco joint has opened up across the street. While Abel is excited to scope out the competition, Xiomara is concerned about how can affect her family’s work

The Influence of Racial Depictions in Children’s Media on Child Development

Although children are born with unbiased innocence, the environment they are born into begins to frame their worldview, from the people they live with to the people they see only on screen. The characters and storylines that children grow up viewing take part in building their perspective of themselves and of others. Therefore, the marginalization of people of color in the media leads viewers to believe that whiteness is equivalent to normalcy, which can cause children of color to struggle with their identity or communities. My research examines how children perceive who should be the protagonists and antagonists, solely based on visual features, to study the correlation and patterns their choices have with the media they consume. With this study, I intend to gain insight into how viewers as well as content creators can recognize and acknowledge the racial messaging encoded in the media

For Those Who Grew Too Fast

This volume welcomes you amid multiple global epidemics. It welcomes you home, hoping that these words provide visibility, comfort, introspection, and roadmap for pushing boundaries. We know we are tired, we know we are facing uncertainty at every turn, and we know that connection is wearing thin. This collection of words serves as an “I see you,” as an “I am with you,” as an “I love you.” These pieces came together toward end of the Spring 2020, when a group of first-year and transfer students came together to speak their existence. They bring memories and a reminder that together we can construct a culture that builds upon our truth and possibility. Education can be an epicenter of civic imagination, innovative directions in service justice, and above all, radical love. This volume is a testament to this. Welcome to First-Gen Voices Volume Nine: For Those Who Grew Too Fast