Poem: “Tienes que ir a la Escuela” by Anonymous Student

Part of the Youth Story Campaign

This poem details an anonymous student’s experiences throughout their life in the public school system. They say: “I would like to highlight the issue of lack of representation within schools and how it can lead to feelings of loneliness, discomfort and self doubt to the point of questioning your own identity. I hope for better support when it comes to emerging English speakers as personally I know that the language barrier created a large disconnect between my peers and myself. I also hope that schools realize the importance of representation of diversity when it comes to staff as well. Having someone who looks like you being in a position of power is so influential to young people and has shown me my love or advocacy work. I hope to someday be the representation that I needed growing up!”

“Tienes que ir a la Escuela”

by Anonymous Student

School, “an institution for educating children”
Where my mother first let go of my small hand
Someone so extroverted no longer knew the words to talk

School where I was praised for my achievements
Where little would go wrong
Where friendships consisted of recesses
Porque uno nunca sabe

School, where I felt alone
Where speaking Spanish was impolite
Where my friends didn’t look like me

School where I felt anxious
Where my heart would drop and everything inside me clenched
Where the butterflies in my stomach would eat away

School, donde conocí amigos de verdad
Where people looked like me
Where Spanish music became once again beautiful
And not something my mom would just play Sunday mornings

School, where I found myself
Where I found my people
Where I learned to speak for those
Who no longer knew the words to talk