Written by Jessenia Carreon

K 

nowing my sister my whole life, I never knew this one aspect of her. My sister is 19 years old, her name is Julie Carreon, and she is now attending college. We spoke about the things that got her where she is today. Julie began by saying, “My mother dealt with a lot of issues, and yet she works hard to support our family. This is why my mother is my all time hero.” Her mother is the person she looks up to the most, and loves with all her a lot.

“People have told me that I live in the ghetto. And personally I think they’re just stupid because they don’t understand that where I live is not the ghetto.” Julie said with a frustration. In a way, I completely understood what she was talking about. I have felt that way many times before. Julie grew up in South East San Diego, she’s proud to live here and she doesn’t care about what other people say about it. South East San Diego is her home and is obviously not ashamed of it.

Julie wants to prove to the world that even if she was raised in the “ghetto” she can still go to college and even graduate. She has been attending Southwestern College for her second year now. “My mother was always there for me, telling me that the only way of having a good life, is if I had a good education, and if I went to college. I thank my mother for those encouraging words, and for always being there by my side. She’s the main reason why I’m going to college, and trying hard in life.” As Julie spoke of her mother, her eyes filled with emotion and gratitude. Julie wants to achieve many goals and prove to the world that no matter where you grow up, you can be as successful as any other person in the universe, but only if you honestly try.      

Overall, no matter what people say about South East San Diego, Julie will always be proud of where she lives. She has future plans, like graduating from college; this is to prove people wrong when they say that people from South East San Diego are gangbangers and not likely to succeed in life. Julie wants to have a successful life, here, in South East San Diego. Even if she has the money to move into a “better” community, she wants to stay here. Julie wants to change the perspective of people who live here, not all people.