On choosing to study art and design, despite their parents’ wishes, A explains, “There’s that pressure of wanting to make them proud and be able to provide for them. But I also didn’t want to sacrifice my own happiness. Even if they were somewhat disappointed, the point of us being here was for me to have a lot of opportunities and live a really happy life. Even though they don’t directly see my happiness as a priority, it is a priority.”
Yet, due to a recent move by the Trump Administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) which has allowed A’s family to live in the United States, A’s pursuit of happiness is currently in jeopardy. “I just want to finish college at least.” says A. With most graphic design jobs requiring at least a Bachelor’s degree, the termination of TPS not only endangers their ability to stay in the country, but also their ability to find work postgrad.
With the election and the chance to reverse Trump era decisions coming up, A feels strongly about exercising one’s right to vote. “I don’t think the system is perfect at all. And I definitely think it needs to be completely taken down and built back up in a better way,” A says. Yet in reference to those who chose not to vote because of issues with said system, A explains “You’re totally saying that from a place where you’re able to remove yourself from the situation. A lot of people can’t. A lot of people have been impacted by policies that the Trump Administration has gone forward with.” For A, it’s not about supporting the system, but picking your battles: “You need to be strategic about it. Because it’s important to help as many people as possible right now with the power that you have. And then later on you can revolt.”
A is…
- 21 Years-Old
- Non-Binary
- White
- Mestizo (Indigenous and European)
- Central American
- Working Class
- Bisexual
Author’s Note
For my artifact, I created an issue of Cultured Magazine, an art, architecture and design magazine focused on highlighting voices in the art world. I imagined an issue focused on the current election with a feature on my interview subject A. “A” is an immigrant from Central America who has been living in America most of their life and, currently, is faced with the threat of deportation due to the Trump Administration suspending Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The mock cover story would focus on how they navigate life as a young immigrant and how their art reflects those themes.