I wrote these two books to liberate the hearts and pain that we face daily but might not want to be vocal about. Coming from a culture of don’t ask, don’t tell; problems weren’t discussed, they were just handled. Working class families in our capitalist system don’t have time to discuss the generational trauma they have and passed on, while they are barely making it, living paycheck to paycheck. As a first generation American, and the first to attend college, knowledge has been a transformative factor in my life. It has given me the tools to decolonize my mind and shatter the systems of oppression which seek to cripple our minds to lives of ignorance. As a teacher I hope I can pass on this transformation in the form of empowerment. Activism and travel has allowed me to see the harsh realities of our world and through poetry I can have them come to light. My words can serve as a map and guide for those in my community who are not able to see what I have seen.