MANNY CID
MANNY CID
PSU BLACK STUDIES, WINTER 2024
PORTLAND OREGON IT READ
"Portland Oregon" it read
Are we almost there?
Si Mijo, We're almost there.
My hands tremble
Is it the chill in the air?
No — It's cause I'm scared
Scared of these streets
Scared of the distance
Scared of the Unknown
I want to go back home.
Raindrops sliding to the side
Freshness is the air
Sadness lingers in the sky
But, Is it really sadness?
No — I think ...
It's just a different town.
Another country.
Where are we dad?
This bridge we're crossing
Is the heart of La cuidad
See that reindeer on the sign?
What does it remind you of?
It reminds me of Navidad.
Cars come and go
Buildings transform,
They get bigger
The seed of curiosity starts to grow
The rain stops
Sunshine begins to glow
The air carries a different scent
A scent that I do not know
Warm ...
A glimpse of hope
Yet still ...
I miss my old home.
FINAL NARRATIVE #1
"We have arrived to the heart of Portland." I hear my father saying, "We have arrived to the heart of Portland." The sign was there, "Portland Oregon" it read, so imposing with its magnificent reindeer in the middle, the sign of the city. It's so different, I remember the nine year old me thinking; I never seen a reindeer in real life, are these animals a regular sight here? I want to pet one up close.
I remember the rain, it's always raining, and the sky is gray, no longer blue. The air is a lot colder than that at home. The scent smells of trees, it's fresh, even when we are in the heart of the city. I hear my dad saying that Oregon is our new home now and that when I grow up and graduate from college I would be able to afford living in Portland.
A sudden thought of sadness invades my mind and my body reacts to it as well, I get cold, my hands tremble, my heartbeat quickens, I feel homesick. I just got here and I'm already missing my old life in Mexico, then I remind myself that I cannot go back there no more, that this place is my new home now. We continue down on Burnside Street, we have not yet crossed the entire city when the weather abruptly changes, the rain stops and the sun emerges from the massive grayness of the sky. I'm fascinated by this strange phenomenon. Then again, I hear my father's voice telling me this is normal, "it's Oregon" he says, "one moment could be raining, snowing, another moment could be sunny then go back to rain" all in the same day.
TONIGHT …
This poem was inspired by the class exercise we did. It may not be a geopoem but just felt the need to share.
Tonight, we all have a second chance
Tonight, the bullet does not exist
Tonight, the Police forget about guns
Tonight, we bury nothing
tonight, we turn to our hearts
Tonight, we ask God for forgiveness
Tonight, brothers in the streets shake hands
Tonight, we shed no tears
tonight, we have no fears
Tonight, our sacrifices and struggles have meaning
Tonight, we find a new beginning
Tonight, we finally have healing.
THOSE ONCE NEGLECTED
All the urban development in Oregon
Cannot erase poverty
Cannot erase racism and discrimination
Cannot provide liberty
To those from their neighborly nation
Immigrants no longer have security
It all started in 2009
Basic civil rights have been denied
No more license to illegals
How is my father supposed to provide?
Certain things
never change,
they stay the same
Once again.
We gather everything in plastic bags
Time to say our good byes
Life goes on
We need to learn to move on
I hear my father's voice
Vancouver is our new home
The air here smells lighter It makes me feel inspired
This new city is different
Strangely, it makes me feel connected
Here, the Public offices provide services
To those once neglected
FINAL NARRATIVE #2
LOCATION: I-5 BRIDGE
This was my daily commute, after a long day at work I'm finally on my way home. Like many others who live between two states, crossing this bridge to go to work or to go Shopping was a customary thing. We know the best times for crossing the bridge and avoid getting trapped by traffic every time it got raised. when entering this bridge I could sense the difference of vibe lingering in the air.
The two cities are so closed, eternally intertwined. and yet, indisputably separated by an unforgiving divider, the Columbia River. Portland is always so busy, always moving and full of many different people, cars, buildings, and bridges. In contrast, Vancouver is more serene, calmer, different. Here you pump your own gas, you drive faster on highways, yet you see less cars, and yes, you pay sales taxes on everything. But overall, the quiet. Vancouver feels more a resting place, it feels like home.
Reading the Mill Plain sign on the bridge revitalizes my senses. Suddenly energy revives through my mind and body, strength returns to my limbs. I'm no longer fired in spite of having just worked several hours. Possibilities emerge in my mind. What will I do today? I consider going to winter Park with my girl, no, I just remember that I need to go to Clark's library and finish my homework before they close. So in the end. I end up taking the Fourth Plain exit.
LOCATION: PARK ROSE HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER FIELD
HAPPY SUNDAYS — NARRATIVE #3
Mornings full of laughter, joy and all sorts of happy memories come to mind when I see this picture. I chose this particular location because it brings me back to some of the happiest childhood memories I have. My father used to Play soccer in a league on the weekend. Every Sunday morning my brothers and I would ready our soccer cleats, I would get my skateboard too and get on my dad's truck. He would pick up my cousins and make our way to the school's soccer fields, while my dad and older brother were playing, we would play on the grass, on the side of the field and as soon as the adults were done playing, we, Kids ran into the field to Kick some ball while we waited go get some food.
Seeing this photograph. Makes me feel nostalgic and at the same time grateful for being able to have good memories of happiness engraved in mine and my brother's minds. Looking at the picture also reminds me of how much everything has changed, I almost didn't recognize the place at first instance, but then after a few moments I was finally able to remember those Sunday mornings.
Ultimately, this photo shows a personal history for my family, myself and many others who have been in this neighborhood and that have played soccer in this same field. It is a great place to create good memories and a sense of community, (place and memory.) | MC