Alternate Realities

By Maria Hernandez

I went to an art exhibit at the University of Oregon. A painting depicting agricultural work was eye opening for me. When I looked at the art piece, I was reminded of my family. This piece was very interesting because it was something so familiar, but it had a unique twist. It had a girl that was not full of life, but rather the opposite. The painting resonated with me, because it was a reminder of what could have been my life had I been born in a different time, an earlier one. That my history was often overlooked, women were working in fields for hours on end, with little pay. On top of arduous work, they were also expected to look after their family, by cooking, cleaning, doing all of the household duties. Women of color have had to endure so much, and they have fought for their voices and representations. Actions like these have inspired me to look at my community, to understand how I can make a difference in the way other women of color are treated in the many spaces they encounter.