Shining Our Lights
“Every time someone gives you a formula for what you should be and what you should do, you should know they are giving you a pair of handcuffs.” – Junot Diaz
As a Benjamin Gilman Scholarship recipient through the Department State of Bureau of International Affairs, I have created this website as part of my Follow-On Service Project. The name of the site is “Shining Our Lights” dedicated to all people of color whose voices have been silenced. As people of color, our stories are usually told by the privileged. They turn off the lights within us in order to keep us from seeing or escaping the struggles they perpetuate on us. They see our dark world, and still have the audacity to tell our stories.. This website is here to motivate those living in the darkness to believe in their light and follow their dreams.. It is time to turn on our lights and show everyone our world, thoughts, and experiences.
My dream was to step out of my cultural comfort zone and learn about the Thai culture. Although it came with many obstacles, I made it happen and learned many aspects of our world and myself. This website is primarily dedicated to the students and teachers at my High School Golder College Prep, a charter school located in Chicago, Illinois. As a proud panther who did not think could make it out of Chicago, Golder exposed me to new places and ideas that ultimately changed my life. Without that exposure, I would not be the person I am today. To all the Chicago youth, you are the future; you are worthy of all this world has to offer; Believe in yourself!
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Special thanks to the Gilman Scholarship, people of Southeast Asia, Cookie Sunkle, Sirena Davis, Spencer Dow, and Jackie Rueda.
