Yours Truly, a Zoot Suiter

Kristina Robinson

Like a puppeteer, you pulled our strings
Manipulated our decisions and feelings
Willingly, we were the stars of your show
You portrayed us how you wanted us to be known
A bunch of big shot batos
Never seen without a box of frajos
Always painting us with new huisas
Hay te watcho Mona Lisa
Refused to let us change our clothes
Denied the simple gesture of the use of a comb
Now in court, we stand a mess
Just like you wanted pinche press
They tell us we’re not good enough
Pulling us down, we struggle to get up
Imprisoned, trapped behind metal doors
Unable to call for help, because our voices are yours
We forgave you, but we will never justify your mistakes
Chale, the scars you left continue to ache
Today, we rise above the betrayal and pain
The press ruined our lives for their gain
Most people did not try to fight
They said the government was doing what was right

We want to say thank you
For all the punches you threw
We know that we will be just fine
We will not let our struggles define
Our existence on this earth
We finally see how much we’re worth
So let a Zoot Suit symbolize
The fire that lies behind our eyes
A symbol of community through resistance
And el pachuchos great persistence

Kristina Robinson is a senior Communication Disorders and Sciences and Spanish and Hispanic Studies Majors here at EIU. Kristina plans to continue her education in Communication Disorders and Sciences at the graduate level, and hopes to become a culturally competent, bilingual Speech Language Pathologist. In her free time, Kristina likes to volunteer at Charleston’s food pantry, go to the gym, and is an active member in the Spanish Club. As a presidential scholar of the Pine Honors College, Kristina understands the importance of a liberal arts education. You can reach Kristina at @krispytaco24 on Instagram.