Do I have to be good? Do I have to be nice? Do I have to eat with a napkin in my lap?Do I have to behave? Do I have to talk with difficult words? Do I have to dress nice? Do I have to walk straight? Do I have to obey people? Do I have to sit with my legs closed? “Yes, you need to.” Why can’t I play like I did when I was a child? Do I have to wash the clothes? Do I have to prepare my own food? Do I have to clean house? Do I have to go to school? Do I have to learn? Do I have to go to church? Do I have to be a girl that has manners? “Yes, mija,you have to if you want people to see you like a lady who has big plans for the future.” Oh, okay, Mom. I’ll be the lady who has big plans.
By Lesly, 7th grade
Art by Brian Andreas