Teen Mothers

Summer 2004

By Juanita and Irene*

I was a gangbanger.

I was a girl who did drugs and drank.

Whenever I was late I never rang her.

I was mad and my anger towards people was taken out.

I have a loud talking, say what you want kind of attitude.

I don't give a crap; my hand will do the talkin'.

I won't drop out! I'm smart, educated, and I'll be
a high school graduate.

I hated school, but now I'll be the one walkin'.

The rich, smooth, unique cream cocoa color of my two nationalities
is what makes me, me.

A que la chingaga, I'm only one of yours, but it's good to be Mexicana.

The way words roll off my tongue, in a nice rhythm and beat,
my language, me.

La idioma que hablo es solo mio y nada mas.

Eating enriched food, so spicy and natural.

I love the food so much I always eat a mouthful.

Kickin' it with friends and their kids, trying to make myself
a better person.

As much as I get better, they seem to worsen.

The youngest of 6, by parents ill-educated.

The youngest of 4, but father was out the door.

Brothers and sisters doing better than me, some with growing kids,
some getting college degrees.

I looked up to a brother who graduated and then I noticed a habit
that wasn't within me.

Watching in disbelief, the things I thought I'd never see, my family being torn apart, all because of me.

My family loves my son very much, but they seem to ignore
what lies in me.

I'm young, I know, but I'll still give my unborn child a chance
to live in the world.

They tried to convince me, but I knew I would be the best mom
I could be.

I'll work for my money and buy what my baby needs; I'm not another
one of the junky moms everyone thinks I'll be.

I'm with you on that one.

I'm gonna be a teen mom, and I'm gonna be happy.

I'm a wonderful teen mom and I'm happy.

I'm undeniably, indescribably me.

So why can't you realize and see that we're the best moms
you'll ever meet?

* Irene and Juanita are former students of Heidi Tolentino's.

Summer 2004