The Clothes

The Clothes are such a big part of my life and I’ve been wearing The Clothes since I was younger. If I could, I’d wear The Clothes every day, similarly like my great grandmother in her pre-American years. She only wears The Clothes and nothing else. She’s commando, bra-less and dignified. Upon coming to America, she had to pack The Shirt, The Xauv, The Apron, and The Head-wrap away but she was able to keep The Pants. The Pants was deemed functional by American society, enough for people to not eye her like she doesn’t belong.

I wear The Clothes every year, in schools and for celebrations and whenever I feel like it. I wear it to remind myself and others that I am different, that I come from a family and a history of people who do not have much but their memories, metals and clothes.  The Clothes isn't just a cultural object, The Clothes represents me, I wear The Clothes for myself.