Isabella Alpire-Roca  00:03

Hi. My name is Isabella Alpire-Roca. I am a student at Virginia Commonwealth University, and I'm interviewing Jessica Monroy Ponce from Augusta County, Virginia. Today is Friday, April 12, 2024 and it is 2:32pm. This interview is being conducted at the Public History Lab at Virginia Commonwealth University. Jessica, thank you so much for allowing me to interview for this project.

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce 00:35

Of course.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  00:36

So first, I'd like to ask some questions about your family, your childhood, and your background. So could you tell me kind of how you grew up, who you grew up with?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  00:47

Yeah, how I grew up. I grew up in a very loving family, a very family, centered family. We spent a lot of time together. I'm very close to both my parents. I grew up with an older brother. We're really similar in age, and we're really close. I also have a younger sister who's 12. There's a bit of an age gap, so it was different growing up with her, as opposed to, like, my brother. But yeah, I grew up, like, in a, I feel like a pretty generic family. I also grew up with, you know, other family who, like, lived near me. We always hung out, had little like, had little get togethers and stuff like that. So yeah...

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  01:41

And where did you grow up?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  01:46

I grew up in Augusta County, specifically a smaller town called Mount Solon. It was very rural. There was nothing. There's not much to do. Yeah, I just spent a lot of time outside with my brother, playing soccer, I don't know, playing in the woods. And, yeah, I guess I don't know. I feel like it's a pretty like, simple way of living, just because there wasn't a lot to do. So yeah...

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  02:22

And did you have any like, extended family near you, like that you grew up with?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  02:27

I had, I had some family around me, my brother, my dad's like brothers, and I guess my mom's like cousins. They were always over at my house. And, you know, I had cousins who I grew up with as well. You know, a lot of them were, like, tiny, like, smaller in age, so I don't know there wasn't, like, a lot of connection there, like, obviously I couldn't talk to him because they were tiny. But yeah, I did grow up with family around me who, you know, I don't know they were almost like my second parents. So, I mean, like, uncles and aunts like that, you know. So that was always fun. And, yeah...

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  03:16

So where did you go to school? And, like, who was around you in school?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  03:22

Okay, I went to a small high school, a very “ag” based High School. It was like, I don't know. I wasn't surrounded by a lot of other Latinos, Latinas, so I don't know it was predominantly white. So I always grew up like that, and because of the white people around me, you know, since, like, a very small age, there were times where me and my brother would, you know, kind of get, I don't know, racially, like, what's the word? I don't know. There was racism around, and sometimes it would be targeted at me and my brother, and I don't know that was kind of like, I don't know it was, it was still things I like, remember now, obviously there's like, specific, specific instances where I remember that, like me and my brother, would, you know, get kind of picked on for being Latinos, but yeah, I guess, like, in terms of high School, that's when I started like, you know, kind of because I would, I feel like I would assimilate with white people around me. But in high school, I felt like I, you know, just started being like, more genuine to myself, you know, in terms of, like, my ethnicity. But also, I guess, my sexuality as well. But yeah, I high school was still like, you know, I did my own thing, basically in high school. And yeah...

 

 Isabella Alpire-Roca  05:17

so you talked a little bit about, like, how you and your brother both face racism from like, the white community where you grew up, what, what was your experience like, growing up with, like, people who weren't Latino, like, not just white people, but like, kind of everyone wasn't?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  05:34

who was okay, um, you know when, when I think about, you know, going to, like a white school, I think of it like, I don't know, it was just kind of like what I was used to. I mean, obviously there would be, like, I don't know, somebody would make a comment, like, kind of a comment where it was, like, a little bit questionable, a little bit like, judgmental towards your like, your person, but I don't know, you would kind of, like, just not even pay that much attention to it, just because, like, sometimes you were just used to it, like, I don't know, especially where I grew up, like, or the school I went to, it was just White, white people who, you know, I don't know, had like these bad influences on them, and there was just a lot of racist things going on. But I guess, besides that, the white people who I surrounded myself with, I mean, they were, they were nice people. I knew who to hang around with. But I mean, it wasn't like a bad experience. It was just like, I don't know it was what I was used to, and, you know, and you know, the racism, obviously it's bad. But I mean, there was, even if you wanted to do something about it, there wasn't much to do. And even if you spoke out about it, nobody would pay mine to it, unfortunately, because there was, there were cases in my high school where, you know, something like extremely racist would happen, and you know, the very few, like minorities who were there would speak up about it, and nothing would get done. So at some point, people were just like, what's the point of even trying to stand up for ourselves? Yeah, which was unfortunate. But like, you know, just like, the system was already racist, so there's no way you can, like, I don't know, fix it well. I mean, there is a way, but you know, it's gonna take a lot of us, and there wasn't a lot of us, so, yeah, but like, apart from that, white people are cool. Like, sometimes, like, I don't know how else to say, like, I don't know. I was just used to it. And there are really good white people out there, and, you know, people who are welcoming and people who are, you know, not racist, not judgmental, but yeah, I knew who like, who to hang around with. If that makes sense, like I could, I could pinpoint who was, you know, a little racist, but yeah, I knew which crowd to hang out with, I like to think, yeah...

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  08:24

And what were your experiences like the other minority groups where you grew up?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  08:28

Yeah. I mean, there were, like Hispanic… I feel like, because there were little Hispanics, we all knew each other. And the times when we did hang out, it was like, a lot of fun. Like, I do remember that in high school, some of the teachers, or, I don't know, I guess specifically, the teachers that taught Spanish, would try to get all the Hispanic kids together to do things like, like, for Hispanic, appreciate Hispanic month. Hispanic appreciate, yeah, Heritage Month. There we go. We would do events sometimes. And you know, even though it was a little bit of us, like it was, it was still a lot of fun to get together. You know, even, like I said, there wasn't a lot of us, but it was still nice to have that community. And when we did get together, was a lot of fun, and a lot of like, similarity in a different way, you know, then, like, I don't know. I don't know, like being similar to white person in terms of, like, sports or academics, like, you know, there's a cultural similarity, which I think is very important to have within the Latino community. So yeah, but yeah, it was fine. We all knew each other. It was such a small town, so yeah...

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  09:56

Kind of going back to, like, your background, about your family. Like, did you grow up with religion?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  10:04

Yeah, I definitely did grow up with religion. I grew up Catholic. Yeah, both my parents are Catholic. I guess, you know, we went to church. I wouldn't say every Sunday, but we went, you know, pretty frequently I've completed all my sacraments. I, yeah, I, I don't keep in touch with my religion anymore, but yeah, I still attend church just because I, it provides, like, I don't know, a sense of comfort, just because I always went to the same church. You know, I grew up with some of the kids from like, church, Sundays, church school, and, you know, it's just comforting, like knowing that you you know these people, these faces are familiar to you. And yeah, so I wouldn't exactly say I'm religious now, but I did grow up religious. 

 

 Isabella Alpire-Roca  11:18

Now could we talk about how your family arrived in Virginia. So how did they come to live in Virginia?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  11:25

Well, I don't know. Okay, so I guess my mom, who was born in Mexico, had brothers who came to the US to work, because my grandpa had his citizenship. And at some point I forget which president was allowed, you know, for my grandpa to grant his kids citizenship. And, you know, he gave… my grandpa gave my uncle citizenship, and so they were able to come and work and go to school here, I think this was like early 2000s like late 1990s but yeah, and so my mom kind of got on that, like train with them. And initially, my grandpa and my uncles were working in Florida, I think, yeah, like, in the farms and stuff. And so eventually, I think one of my uncles decided to move up to Virginia to work. And I think that's where my mom was, like, okay, like, I'm gonna go up to Virginia, since you're there, you know? And so, yeah, that happened, and I That's how my mom ended up in Virginia. I'm, I think I'm not sure exactly how my dad got to Virginia, but, yeah, it's kind of crazy, because my dad and my mom knew each other back home in Mexico, like in Queretaro, but they, like, didn't know that they were, like, you know, going to United they weren't aware that each of them was going to United States, but they somehow ended up in the same state, in the same area, so I don't know. I always think that's pretty cute of them. They just found each other again. But yeah, that's my mom's story. I think it's, I think it's similar to my dad's, because my dad has an older brother who also came to work here, and so obviously, a lot of immigrants, you know, come here to work get a better future, and that's what my mom and my dad wanted. So, yeah, that's how they ended up here.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  14:17

And do you know how your grandpa had citizenship? Like, was he from here? 

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  14:20

No, my grandpa was not from here. It was some president at the time. I forget what President it was, was granting citizenships to citizenship to I'm not sure if it's just immigrants or immigrants who, I think there was some like under special circumstances. But my grandpa fit that category, and so he was able to get his citizenship. But yeah, and like, once you get your citizenship, you can grant other, I don't know if you like, I'm I feel like you would probably know this, but like, you're able to grant other, you know, relatives citizenship, yeah, but, yeah, that's, that's the story I got.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  15:09

And was he in the US, like for a long time before your uncles came?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  15:15

No, my grandpa, he was a very hard working individual. So he would go to Mexico, come back, go back to Mexico, come work for a little bit more. And he was kind of like always on that cycle. I mean, he owned, he had farms in Mexico as well. And, yeah, he was just very hard working, always moving. He always wanted to provide. Yeah, I don't, I don't really know very much about my grandpa, because he died like when I was really young. And, yeah, I my mom. I know my mom feels a lot for him, because I know they were really close. She's the oldest daughter. So my mom has like six other siblings. Well, one of them passed away, unfortunately, so, but yeah, very big family, both my mom and my dad, but yeah, my my grandpa traveled back and forth. And I think my uncles did too for a little bit, but they settled in Florida. And yeah...

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  16:40

So are your uncles still in Florida? Like, yeah, do you have a lot of family around

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  16:45

the US? My uncle? Oh, yeah, they're the two oldest siblings. So, yeah, they stayed in in Florida. One of my uncles, I think owns land. He owns some apartments. I think here in the US, in Mexico, My other uncle, I don't, I'm not sure what he does. They're both very, I don't know hard working individuals as well. I'm not sure I'm not the closest to them just because they live in Florida. I don't go to Florida often, and because of other things, I just don't, I don't know, I'm not super close with them, but yeah, they stayed here. Yeah...

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  17:35

And do you have a lot of family back in Mexico still?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  17:38

Yeah, I would say most of my family's in Mexico, so, yeah, like, I like, I said, like, my mom has a lot of siblings, and with a lot of siblings, there's like, I don't know. There's also a lot of cousins, and I don't know. It's just like, Mexicans tend to have like, a lot of kids, and it's the same thing for my dad. He also had like, six other siblings. He's a twin. He like he I'm not, I'm not sure which side of the family I'm closer with. I because it's just it's different dynamic between both, I would say. But yeah, I definitely do have more family in Mexico than I do here.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  18:24

And do you guys talk to each other a lot between either side?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  18:28

No, I actually don't really keep in contact with much of my family in Mexico, just because I barely even go. I don't know. I guess that's I don't know. I always feel like I'm pretty disconnected from my family. You know, when I think of it, like long term, I'm like, Who am I even going to invite to my wedding? Because it's just like, I don't know. Like these people, like, I know their family, but I don't really know them. So it's just it's difficult because, like, I don't know how to navigate a relationship. Whenever they, like, live across the country, or they live in, I mean, they live in another country, literally, so. And it's just weird, I have a lot of cousins. I know that I have a lot of cousins, but I don't really even know them, and I don't know. I feel like if I were to get to meet them, there will still be differences, like, because we grew up in such a different environment. So, but yeah, I don't know. I'd like to get closer to them, obviously. I mean, they're family, so, but yeah...

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  19:43

So have you and your parents and your brother been back to Mexico?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  19:46

Um, I guess due to like citizens, like status, my parents haven't, um, you know, it's more like my. Yeah, my grand, well, my grandma's visit, actually, one of my grandma's is in, like, just came from Mexico to visit us, like, two weeks ago. So, but yeah, I I've only been, like, once twice. So as my brother, we don't really visit and like me and my brother have had like, talks about it. It's just like we both feel the same way. We feel like very I don't know what's the word. We don't feel connected to our family just because, you know, we're not around them all the time. We don't really know them, and I don't know it's unfortunate, but, like, I also understand, like, why, you know, you know it's expensive to travel. And also, like, if my parents, like, can't experience that, you know, I like, I can experience it for them, but it's just like, it's not, it's not the same, like, obviously, who doesn't want to go back, you know, and visit where they grew up and see the people who they grew up with, but unfortunately, like, they can't. So, yeah...

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  21:19

Could you explain a little more about your parents citizenship status because you mentioned how your grandpa had granted your uncle's?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  21:29

Yeah. Well, here's the thing like, okay, my grandpa was able to grant my uncle citizenship, citizenship status. But unfortunately, he passed away. And you know, in the time where he passed away, he was working on my mom's citizen citizenship status, or working to get her citizenship. But he passed away, and, yeah, and she wasn't able to get it and, you know, I mean, she's like, I'm pretty sure she's seeing lawyers and try to figure it out. And I'm not sure if that's something that they can, like, really work on. I'm not sure, and I don't know, just, I don't know it's crazy to me, because it's just like, you know, she was so close to getting citizenship, but, you know, unfortunately, like, my grandpa passed away, and, yeah, so it's just, it sucks. So yeah...

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  22:49

And then you kind of said, like, your dad was in a similar situation, but what exactly was his situation?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  22:56

Um, well, he just immigrated into the US, like, you know, yeah, I think my dad's brother has citizenship. I'm not so sure. I want to say he does. I don't know he's like the oldest so I'm pretty sure he was in the same boat, like my my grandpa, whenever I want to, I don't know what President It was no, but I think he also went through that same process during that time and was able to get citizenship. So yeah...

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  23:40

Sorry, I keep like asking, because I was just I was a little confused. But so your mom doesn't have citizenship, but your dad does?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  23:47

No, my dad doesn't. Yeah, either of them Yeah, no.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  23:50

Are they residents or?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  23:53

Yeah, they're both residents. Yeah, okay, yeah. So now, yeah, so it gets complicated, yeah, going back, yeah.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  24:03

Okay, that makes that makes more sense now. So yeah, we just kind of went over all of the questions about your family and your game, so I can kind of skip through those. So the following questions are about your life in Virginia. What was Augusta County like, when you like, growing up, and how has it changed?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  24:33

What was it like, yeah, and how has it changed?  

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  24:40

Kind of like, what was it like like, in terms of, like, when you were younger, like, kind of, like, general life, like,

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  24:45

Um, it was, like, very slow paced. I mean, it was very country, like, it was rural. There's not much going on. I don't know. I. Yeah, what, what there was to do where I grew up, was just to, like, go hiking, or, I'm not sure, yeah. I mean, that's what I like to do a lot, is go hiking. Very small town. I think with small town, there's also a lot of, like, I don't know, a lot of like hospitality as well. Like, I grew up, like, I know, there was a lot of white people around me, but it was always, like, a sense of, like community as well. Very like, you know, it was, it was kind of cute, because, like, you know, the older ladies would, like, call you, like, sweetheart or something like that. Or, like, everybody knew each other as well, and, yeah, it was just small. Felt safe to me. It felt like comfortable, you know, even if I was a little bit of an outcast, I guess, because of, you know, my ethnicity, but you know, I still felt like I belong there, you know, I didn't feel like, you know, like I wanted to feel like I belonged there, so and I would act as such, you know, I wouldn't make myself like, feel like I don't know, like I didn't belong there, because I have just as I'm just as entitled to be there as everybody else is. Doesn't matter that I'm, you know, different, I guess so. Yeah, I don't know. Just like, take pride. I always, like, took pride in who I was, and that's why, like, I don't know. That's I don't know. That's why I didn't feel that bad about living where I lived, because, just like, I'm here, I'm just as entitled to live here as everybody else is no and obviously I can't change who I am. So why even be like, upset about it?

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  26:54

Yeah, how has it? Has it changed at all kind of since, since it was like Augusta County itself, has it changed at all since when you were younger? Has it pretty much Stayed the same? 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  27:08

I would say it's morally it stayed the same, but it's definitely gotten bigger, like population wise, and, yeah, I will, like, it's gotten, like, you know, in terms of, like, infrastructure and stuff like that. Like, there's more buildings being built. I don't know. I'm pretty sure they just built a new cookout somewhere. So I'm a, I love cookout, dude. Cook out is so good. No, like, that's, that's, that's, that's a spot to be, or, like, a waffle house. Oh, you don't, you don't like hot Waffle House. I had, there aren't any in Nova. Oh my gosh, yeah, there's one. That's the thing with like, I feel like living more like in the country or side is just like, oh, like, somebody, like, after a football game or something after a baseball game. Like, we would probably, we would all go to, like, waffle house and, you know, just destroy some waffles. Like, it was just like this. It was such a small town, it's like, everybody knew where to go. Everybody knew what to do, like, I don't know. And that's like, kind of like, the fun of it too. It's so small. It felt like you belonged. And like, I feel like, now that I live here, it's kind of like, there's so many different people, there's so many people, like, point blank, it's just like, I don't even know, like, where I belong. I don't know it's just like, I think that's like a switch, like a realization that hit me when I moved here was just like, it's so big, like, I can be like, whoever I want, but I don't really even know who I want to be, if that makes sense. Yeah. So, yeah, it's been a weird switch from, like, going really small to decent, like, pretty big. So yeah,

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  29:09

and how has that been? Because you, you said that you do feel like you belong in Augusta County. Do you feel like you belong here in Richmond or in VCU? Um, are you kind of still figuring it out?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  29:22

I think I'm still figuring it out. Um, I'd say like, there's definitely a spot for me here, but it's just been weird and like, navigating like, I don't know who I am here, just because it feels like it feels different. I know I was so used to, obviously, I was used to, like, living in a small town, and, like, I had a pretty well constructed idea of who, who I was at home. And here, it's just like, there's so many different people, there's a lot of people. And it's just like, I don't know. Yeah, it's kind of, it's kind of tricky. I don't think I've yet figured it out, but I feel like, probably one day I will,

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  30:07

Would you say you feel excluded in either place or no?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  30:14

I wouldn't say I felt, I felt excluded, you know, at home, just because, like I said earlier, it's just like, I don't know. I'm just, I'm just as entitled to be here as everybody else. And, you know, I take pride in who I am and but here, I definitely don't, I don't feel excluded. I just feel like I'm still figuring out who I really am here. But yeah, I know there's like I said, I know there's a spot for me. I just don't know what spot yet. If that makes sense,

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  30:54

Have you ever felt like you need to like amidst a part of your identity or kind of choose to not do something in order to fit in anywhere?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  31:10

Yeah, definitely back at home. I don't know. I guess maybe this is a little bit like contradicting, because I said I take pride in who I am, but there are definitely times where, like, you know when to, like, kind of dial down your personality a little bit when you're at home, just so that you don't get, like, incredibly like, judged at which I know sucks, because you shouldn't hide who you are at all anywhere. But you know, if it's almost concerning for your safety, that's when, like, you know, you kind of got to dim it down a little bit. Or, you know, nobody likes feeling judged at all. So, um, yeah, I think that's where it's kind of like, okay, like, I should dim down on my personality, personality a little bit, but I guess that's more in terms of, like, I don't know, I guess, like my sexual orientation and not so much so my ethnicity, because I can't hide my like ethnicity, if that makes sense. You know, like, if one were to look at me out in public, like, you know, I think it's apparent that I'm Hispanic, you know, I'm a Latina, and, you know, I can't hide that. But I guess another like, you know, I guess, like, in terms of, like, my sexuality, I think there's ways where I can, like, kind of dim it down, you know, which is unfortunately, but sometimes unfortunate, but sometimes, like, you know, you got to be a little bit, you know, you got to be on the safer side with that, just because, you know, there's people who you know are dangerous.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  32:59

And was that like that a lot for you growing up, or more, going back and forth from here to there? 

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  33:06

Definitely not here. I think it's very inclusive around here at home, definitely because, I mean, people have their morals, and, you know, I'll always be respectful of your Morales and stuff like that. But, you know, there's obviously people who are pretty extreme about, or they have such extreme feelings about, I don't know, a certain topic, or, you know, I guess maybe in terms like sexuality, they'll feel really intense about it. And you know, you kind of got to be like, you know, keep your eye out for that. But yeah, here or not at all, like, I don't have to hide anything. I can just be who I am.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  33:56

Yeah, yeah. Did you ever have to, like, how was it navigating the different parts of your identity, so in terms of your sexuality and your ethnic culture?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  34:11

Oh, when they like cross paths together, yeah, that's that's pretty difficult. That was pretty difficult for me. I still feel like it is pretty difficult for me. Like I said, I grew up Catholic, and I grew up in a very like traditional kind of household, and I don't know, I always felt like, almost like a sense of guilt, not, yeah, I would say guilt just because, like, you know, I love my culture so much, I love my family so much, but I'm also having these, like, other identities which, like, kind of contradicts, not really the culture, but more like the religious. Beliefs in which I grew up with, which is, like, it's also highly valuable in culture. You know, I think Catholicism and Mexican culture specifically have really close ties. And, you know, sometimes my my sexuality, like, you know, is totally against what you know, my religious and traditional beliefs are. Well, not my but what other because I think that I'm in total control of what I choose to be, like my religion and what my culture is, you know, like, I can shape that. But I think in the general view, a lot of people tie in the religious beliefs with their culture, and that's where it's kind of like conflicting for me, because just like, you know, you know, you want to be like, cared for, you want to be, you know, valued, but when you're like, I don't know when you have, like, a different sexuality, it's definitely, like a little bit, I don't know what's the word. I don't know. It's just, you know what I mean. It's just difficult. But yeah,

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  36:13

And have you faced those types of difficulties within your family and friends back home?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  36:18

I wouldn't say a hunt like 100% but I definitely have, you know, expressed myself like in the way I want to express myself, and I think people are aware of that, if that makes sense. But yeah, it's pretty scary. I don't know it's pretty to me, it's been pretty scary. But, yeah, it's definitely a challenge. Just because, like, I value my family a lot. I value my culture a lot. You know, it's literally who I am so but, yeah, I guess that's why. Also, you know, like I said, like, I grew up going to church, and I, you know, sometimes I'll still attend church, but to say that I'm religious is probably not true. You know, I like going to church just because, like, I said, like, it's just, like, what I grew up with, and it feels comfortable to me. And, yeah, sometimes some of the messages that are sent through church, like they speak to me. And, you know, I think you can make what you want from religion, you know, a lot of people say that it's, you know, very, what's the word for that? Very? I don't know it's supposed to be what it is like, I don't know, but I don't What's the word for that, like, very. It's kind of like a guidebook, but I think you can make whatever you want out of it. Religion.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  38:04

It's like a loose script kind of?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  38:07

Yeah, I think that's the way to put it, I don't know, because a lot of people follow religion, and it's very like, I don't know. They're like, Okay, I have to do this. I need to do that, I need to do this. And, you know, you know, if you choose to believe it like that, that's totally cool. But to me, I'm just gonna make what I want from it, you know, as long as it's pushing me to do good, you know, yeah, so yeah,

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  38:37

And has leaving hope and like home, leaving home and like coming to school, like going to university and stuff, has that, like, kind of helped you go into terms of that type of contrasting parts of your identity?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  38:59

Yeah, just because I feel like home was very like, you know, like I said, like, sometimes I would have to hide a little bit of myself. I would, you know, have to dim down my personality. But here I can just be exactly who I want to be. And it's kind of just like a breath. But when I go home, it's like, all right, I'm back at home. People might stare at me a little bit differently. If I dress a certain way, I act a certain way, you know, I got to be aware. But at the same time, I don't know, you just got to be yourself as well, and it's just like, I don't know. Like, I won't ever not be myself, but there's times where, like, you know, if my safety comes in a concern, then yeah, like, I'll note a notch something down. But yeah, it's, it's nice being here, and I think it's definitely a. Yeah, you know, going home and then coming here, it's definitely alleviated my, I don't know, the tensions between, you know, my differences. So yeah.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  40:12

And what are some of the biggest obstacles you've encountered in Augusta County, I think you talked like a little bit about, like the racism, but has there been anything else?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  40:28

No, I don't, I don't think so. Racism is obviously an obstacle my sexuality, sexuality being an obstacle as well. You know, a lot of homophobia and racism is like, I those are pretty bad. So, yeah, those are obstacles. But I think since I grew up there, it's kind of like I've learned just to not deal with, you know, with racism and homophobia, just kind of, just like, forget about whatever, let these people be. So, yeah, I think, as far as obstacles, I mean, that's, that's about it, yeah.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  41:18

And have you, like, sought out or hadn't, like, gotten help from any resources around you, like both growing up and and like as an like an adult, for like, any part of your life, it can be like, like, actual organizations, or even like counselors, teachers, professors, anything like that?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  41:44

Have I gotten any help to, like, alleviate the problems that I've been through?

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  41:48

Yeah, in general, like, any kind of problem that you've had, I guess?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  41:52

I guess whenever you know, I would need help from like, a, you know, a more like, I don't know, like an adult or someone who could help would probably be like my coaches, I don't know, soccer coaches, teachers now and then I was, that's the thing about me, is I like, I am the kind of person that would never really ask for help, and I still really am not, but I'm been trying to work at it. And I also think it's just like, the way I grew up that makes me, like, not get help. Because, yeah, I just the growing up, you know, I was the oldest daughter, you know, I had to take care of a lot of things around the house and stuff like that. And it's just kind of like, I've been pretty in, like, independent since, like, a pretty young age, and so I've never really asked for help. So and I just kind of dealt with stuff while growing up, you know, but there are definitely times where I wish I would have, like, asked for help. But yeah,

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  43:19

And what has been your experience with, like the school system where you grew up?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  43:26

Oh, I guess I touched base on this, like earlier, but it's not the best of systems. I think you know, it's typical for systems to have flaws and stuff like that, but to notice something and then something that you know damages one of your students, and you know hurt not even Students community hurts a community, and you as an advisor, as a teacher, as a principal, notice that and you choose not to do anything about it because you don't really see anything wrong with it. Is absurd, and unfortunately, that's what it was like where I lived. There was, you know, instances where a lot of racist things would happen. And, like, you know, somebody would say something about it, and you know, the school would just kind of rub it off and, you know, act like it wasn't that big of a deal. So, yeah, I think that my school system growing up could have been lot better. You know, I know there's not, there wasn't a lot of minorities, but that doesn't mean. You shouldn't pay any attention to them and what struggles they go through. Because, like, you know, these struggles aren't, you know, impact somebody a lot. Like, obviously, I don't know there was things where I went through in elementary school that I still remember now, like it sticks with people, and I don't think they realize that. So yeah, and I don't know that's why there needs to be more representation throughout, you know, school systems or government systems, even like, you know, we need people who understand, like other people, who know the struggles so, yeah, am I, like, giving good answers? I don't know.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  45:51

Okay, there's no such thing as, like, a good or like a bad, okay, I got you. You're telling your story, and it's however you want to tell it. Yeah, this is your interview. Okay, I got you. So the following questions are about your experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Okay, where were you living when the pandemic started?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  46:15

I guess the county of Mount Solon.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  46:18

So how did you first learn about it, the pandemic,

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  46:22

the pandemic. It was literally whenever, what was it? March 13. Everybody remembers that day. Yeah, we were told we were gonna go on break for like two weeks, and then two weeks turned into what, like two whole years. I don't even how long did it even last?

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  46:41

I think the official pandemic was like two years. It was like two full years. Yeah, we were, like, declared, like, pandemic state and then, but then I know a lot of people, like, went back to school, like, the, like, the school year after, yeah, like, shut down. So it kind of depends on where you're from,

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  47:04

Yeah, well, where I live, they offered, like, hybrid learning, which was just like, you know, like you go to school for two days and then you go virtual. So, but you had that option, or, you know, go completely virtual, and I chose to go completely virtual. I don't even know why I did. I just felt like, you know, I thought sophomore year, thought, Oh, I just got to stay home. Like, might as well. So that's what I did. And I actually really enjoyed it, because it made me feel like a lot more productive, and I could just do things on my own, on my own time, and that's what I did. It was, you know, I'm not sure. I'm not sure what to think during that time, what I thought during that time, and I was just like a sophomore in high school. I was doing work at home, I don't know, probably playing the PS four or something, going outside. I remember during that time is when I first started, like, learning and stuff. And so I was really excited. I mean, learning how to drive. There we go, not learning, learning how to drive. And so I was still, I was really excited. But, yeah, I got vaccinated and stuff like that. Yeah, I don't know there's, I feel like there's not much, not much happened during that year, but I was totally okay with it.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  48:34

And how did your family deal with, like, the changes of like, staying at home? Were your parents able to work from home?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  48:46

Yeah, well, my dad works like in excavating, so he was still able to, like, do, go out and work on projects and stuff like that. My mom stayed home, but, yeah, my brother went to school. I think it was his senior year, so he chose to, like, go to school or do the hybrid thing. I think I don't even remember, but yeah, yeah, I think it was, you know, obviously it was a hard time, you know, having to stay inside, you know, wear masks and stuff like that. I didn't mind the mask or anything. That's not what I'm saying. It's like, I don't want you to think like I'm an anti Mac, like I was, I was so here for it, like I would even double mask, actually, so, but, but, yeah, so I don't know it was just, I was just a sophomore in high school, I don't know. It wasn't much for me to do anyways.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  49:48

And so in terms of, like, online learning, you said you went completely virtual.  

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  49:57

Yeah

Isabella Alpire-Roca  49:58

That year that we were in the pandemic state, kind of, and then your brother did the hybrid. What about your younger sister? How was that for her? Because I know she was a lot younger.

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  50:09

Um, she also went to school. Um, I think she didn't really think much of it. I don't know. She was like, I don't know, probably, like in first grade or something, I want to say first grade, I don't know. Yeah, I don't know. I guess I've never thought about what my sister felt during that time. Yeah, she was probably confused maybe as to what was going on. But she knew that, like, it had to do, you know, with safety and her safety. So, yeah,

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  50:47

Yeah, no, I only asked because, like, I have a niece who's eight years younger than me. We live in the same house during the pandemic, so, and I was like.

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  50:57

How did she deal  with it?

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  50:59

My sister had both of them because I have two nieces, one's eight years younger than me, and 10's years younger than me. And my sister had both of them stay home and, like, do completely online. And I did online too, because I did not want to go school.

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  51:12

So it was all three of you guys?

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  51:15

All three of us and it was, it was a little harder for them, like, learning wise…

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  51:18

Yeah.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  51:23

Like they would get distracted  

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  51:23

Yeah.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  51:27

But like they, I don't think they, like, understood completely, either, what was going on. Just like, you gotta stay home, yeah? And even though it was my senior year, I didn't. And even though it was my senior year, I didn't want to go to school

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  51:34Y

Yeah.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  51:38

But it was, it was interesting for them to see, like, how they dealt with it and like, their online learning. The younger one did have more trouble with it because she wasn't great at math. So I had to, like, go. She had to help her. Yeah, she would come to my room during class and be like,

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  51:56

that's cute, though.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  51:58

Yeah. So that's why I asked, like, just

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  52:00

Yeah, I don't, yeah, I don't think she completely understood. I feel like it definitely did take a toll on especially the younger kids, you know, getting, you know, education, just because, you know, especially at that age, like you need to be in person to really understand something. And so I think that, you know, I think my sister still struggles a little bit in school now, but I think it's also, you know, that year where she had to be virtual, and then the hybrid stuff, like, I think it definitely, probably did take a toll on, like, her education, you know, because, like, once you're backtracked, I mean, I feel like you can definitely come up from it, but you're still a little behind so but, yeah, I don't think she thoroughly understood what was going on, which is, okay, she's little.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  52:57

Were any of your family members or anyone close to you impacted by Covid? 

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  53:01

Like health?

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  53:07

 Like health, like, health wise, economically,or anything like that. 

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  53:12

Um, I don't. I don't know. I don't. I didn't get covid. I know my brother didn't. I don't think in both my parents my parents didn't. So I think we were fairly healthy, and we were able to, you know, my dad was able to work and like, so we got income coming in and stuff like that. So I think we were pretty, like, set like, we were just okay. We were doing okay.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  53:38

And what about like, your extended family?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  53:42

extended family, extended family. Like, I feel like I don't even I don't really keep in contact. I don't think you know. I feel like I definitely would have known about it if somebody like would have passed away. So I think we were all doing good, thankfully. So yeah… 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  54:05

That's really good. How do you think Latinos were impacted by the pandemic overall?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  54:09

Oh, it… there's research on this. You know, minorities not being there's there being disparities in minorities and covid vaccines and just covid fatalities in general. I think I'm, I was reading an article about it the other day, but, um, yeah, I think Latinos and as well, as, you know, black, black families. You know there were, there was, like, clear, clearly, like, a difference between us and, you know, white, white people, you know, more more fatalities within like. The Hispanic community compared to the white community, which is another problem within our like, health care system. Yeah, that's just like a whole other topic. Yeah, there's, there's a lot of disparity in the health care system that, you know, you know, obviously there's people dying over this, so it needs to be resolved. But, you know, getting things resolved like that is always going to take forever, and is it ever even going to get resolved? So, yeah,

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  55:35

And you mentioned that you got vaccinated. Did the rest of your family get vaccinated too?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  55:39

Yeah, everybody did, yeah, yeah, we all got vaccinated. I wasn't, I wasn't, not gonna get vaccinated. I even got, I got boosted and everything, you know. So yeah…

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  55:53

And what about like, the rest of your community?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  55:58

Yeah, that's where it's like, you know, our Morales differ. Or just like, you know, there's a lot of anti Vax people, you know, a lot of people who wore a mask but didn't actually wear efficiently, like, you know, like under the nose, or like, just taking it off. Or like, you know when the face shields, you know when they would have the face shield, it wouldn't cover the bottom of it. Like, I don't know there's this, oh my gosh, there's this one teacher who, oh my gosh, my phone is cracked. Don't look at that. I know it's pretty bad dude. I was gonna use a bathroom. I was using the bathroom, right? And I put it on the toilet paper holder, and it wasn't, like, flat my that was low key, my fault, though, but, like, it was stable enough to hold it. But then it slipped and it fell, but it wasn't even that high. I think it landed like that, and it hit like, kind of like the corner, and that's why it, like, shattered, because I feel like it, yeah, it had this case, because I feel like, if it would have landed like that, it would have been fine, but no, but it landed like I think it landed like that or something, I don't know. Yeah, it's unfortunate, no, but yeah, there was this one teacher specifically in my school, who, you know, was very anti mask, you know, very and everybody was aware of, like, where his political views were the, you know, the January 6. Yeah, he was there. He was present. Yes, he was present. And he was even in an article somewhere, and everybody was just like, what? But, I mean, he wasn't a bad, bad guy, like, well, I don't know. It was just, it's just difficult because, you know he, I don't know he would say hi to you and he would treat you with respect, but like, whenever, you know, he would live, he literally attended, like, the January 6, like riot or whatever, and then he wore a mask that barely even covered his face. And, you know, it's just things like that that happened at school where you were just like, oh, you know, like, kind of gave him a like a like a look at times, you know, like saying, like, yeah, like, side eye. So I was like, Oh, I don't know about you. And there were a lot of kids like that too, who just, like, didn't really care. They just didn't care. But, yeah, I always wore my mask. I know that so. But yeah, like, I said small town, country, conservative. So, I mean, it makes sense to me, but yeah, you just got to do your part, you know, even though other people won't. So yeah, like, you can't change what other people are gonna think and do. So it's kind of like, can't do much.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  59:07

Yeah, I'm glad that your family, though, wasn't, yeah, no, really good, especially considering that not a lot of people in your community like more, you know, it was a little bit more…

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  59:18

Yeah.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  59:25

So I have just a few last questions. This is the last section. You've kind of touched base on, like, a lot of this. So it's gonna be really short, because the first question is like, do you feel like you belong? And we had a whole conversation about, yeah. So what do you think of how the issue of immigration is talked by about by politicians and the general public?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  59:52

I think it's important to have the conversation. Definitely. I don't think that we should stop talking about immigration. I. Um, but I definitely think people look at immigration with a really like negative outlook when it really shouldn't be like that. You know, with immigration, there's going to be good and bad things, and I think it's important to notice that, but to say that everything is bad is completely wrong. And I guess to say everything is good is also wrong. But I'm not sure, like, I guess the way people talk about it, like I said, it's usually like, I feel like more of a in a negative manner, which I really don't think is like, true. You know, like, with immigration comes a lot of positive things. So yeah, I guess that's the way I look at immigration. Obviously, like the immigration policy in the US needs to be, you know, and it's to be worked on. But yeah,

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  1:01:12

What would you like politicians in the general public to know about Latinos?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  1:01:20

What would I like politicians to know about Latinos and the general public, just the general public, everyone. I don't know. We're a lot of fun. Like, I don't know. Geez, I don't know. Because I feel like Latinos is very broad. I think we all, I think every Latino here acknowledges the fact that, you know, our parents, our grandparents or our ancestors just came here to provide us a better future, and that that's what I at least hope other Latinos like feel like, you know, like, I'm here to, you know, get a better education, better the future for my parents and, you know, my, maybe even future kids. So, you know, we're all, you know, we're all here trying to do good. You know, if there are, there are, like, a few bad apples, but that's everybody, you know, there's always going to be bad people. It doesn't matter, you know, the ethnicity, race, you know, gender, identity, anything you know there's going to be bad people regardless. And, yeah, I think we need to be seen a little bit more. I don't think that we're, you know, there's not a lot of representation for us, especially, you know, in the government or just like in higher positions, there's not enough there's not enough representation. And I would like to see that more, just, you know, because we need people who understand us. Like I said, like with the school system, like, you know, if it's just the same people, like, it's not gonna, it's not really gonna improve. So, and we need people who understand us. But yeah… 

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  1:03:20

 So what would you? these are kind of, like a little bit..

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  1:03:22

What aren't they like?

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  1:03:27

No, these questions are, like, a little bit more personal and, like introspective, where, like, what would you like the public to know from your life story?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  1:03:37

Oh, I don't know.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  1:03:49

I don't know, you don't really like, have to…

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  1:03:53

 No, no. I feel like I want to say something like, meaningful, but I just don't even know what I want to say.  

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  1:04:00

It doesn't have to necessarily be meaningful. It can just be like what you feel like, and that's meaningful.

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  1:04:07

Okay, um, I don't know. I guess, maybe just take, I don't know. I guess, since this is, you know, a study being done on like, Latin like the Latinx, or whatever, like, it's important to take pride in who you are and where you came from. You know, even if where you came from is very different than who you are, make sure to you know, just be yourself and stand out, because there are certain things you can't change about yourself. So and why would you even want to change it? Just like, be proud. I don't know. It'll take you a long way, and it'll help you meet new people, get new experiences, like I'm doing now, you know, and you know, contribute to your own community because you. You know, having that cultural similarity with other people is something that nobody can ever take away from you so, and you should be proud of that. And, yeah…

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  1:05:13

This is a little bit similar, but what would you like people to take away from the interview?

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  1:05:19

Oh, that is really similar, yeah, I guess the same thing, yeah. I think the same thing just be be proud of who you are. I mean, like, nobody can take your ethnicity away from you, so and it just brings you closer to everybody else, and you can create new friends, new communities. And you know, like I said, maybe even be in a higher position where you influence other people who are just like you in a positive way, hopefully. And so, yeah…

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  1:05:53

Is there anything you want to add that we may not have talked about? 

 

Jessica Monroy Ponce  1:05:57

No, I think, no, that's it, yeah.

 

Isabella Alpire-Roca  1:06:04

So that's all the questions I have for you today. Thank you so much for speaking with me.

Jessica Monroy Ponce  1:06:10

Oh, of course.