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FIRST-PERSON ESSAYS

An Invisible Illness

An Invisible Illness

The year was 2015. I vaguely remember the moment in high school where I was on the track field, and that dreaded feeling every girl gets…
Go to the profile of Abrielle Rounds
Abrielle Rounds
Two Years Later and the Pain is the Same

Two Years Later and the Pain is the Same

The 405 was filled with cars on a Wednesday at around 5 p.m. I had just asked my boss if I could leave work an hour early to see my grandpa…
Go to the profile of Aimee Perez
Aimee Perez
Divorce Is A Three-Way Street

Divorce Is A Three-Way Street

I remember crying. I remember banging my small fists on my second-floor bedroom window. I remember my mom waving at me from the driveway…
Go to the profile of Patrick Pamanian
Patrick Pamanian
Becoming a man without the help of one

Becoming a man without the help of one

It was around 7 p.m. I walked around the two-bedroom apartment complex looking for my father. I kept yelling out, “Dada, dada, I can’t find…
Go to the profile of Derek Ortega
Derek Ortega
The Ugly Black Girl

The Ugly Black Girl

With the brush in one hand and the flatiron in the other, I couldn’t help but notice the damage I had caused to my hair. It was almost as…
Go to the profile of Symone Ranaye
Symone Ranaye
‘Say their name’: A tale of healing

‘Say their name’: A tale of healing

I remember it like it was yesterday: June 3, 2020. Anger and frustration filled the streets of L.A. right in front of my eyes. The anger…
Go to the profile of Kodi Mabon
Kodi Mabon
I’m Scared to Drive Because LASD Almost Killed Me

I’m Scared to Drive Because LASD Almost Killed Me

Everything is so surreal as I drive down the main streets of Los Angeles during a late night nearly seven years ago. We’re all listening to…
Go to the profile of Trissean Mcdonald
Trissean Mcdonald
Finding myself through my surroundings

Finding myself through my surroundings

It was just another day under the sun, attending the six 45-minute classes I’d been taking for half the year at that point. Kennedy High…
Go to the profile of Dylan Keith
Dylan Keith
My journey to self-discovery has been long and hard

My journey to self-discovery has been long and hard

My journey to self-discovery has been long and hard. Growing up, there weren't many resources for me especially in private catholic school…
Go to the profile of Nadine Godinez
Nadine Godinez
Finding my voice through pain and poetry

Finding my voice through pain and poetry

By Liz D.
Go to the profile of Liz D.
Liz D.
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