It is always hard to express to people how I have always felt out of place. I have lain awake at night wondering if this world will have a place for me, and, somehow, I have always tried to find a way to mold myself into a person I know I’m not.
Through my journey at Ball State University, I have learned so much about what it means to find a place in higher education. Being a first-generation Latina pursuing a bachelor’s degree and, hopefully in the future, a master’s degree, I have always felt the utmost pressure to succeed in everything that I do because of the fear of letting down the people I look up to the most. Unfortunately, this way of thinking has not always been positive.
It has always been hard for me to find spaces where I feel like I belong. My journey navigating a system that wasn’t built for people like me had its challenges. From the cultural barrier to even the simplest of things, like figuring out how to schedule classes, it was a huge undertaking for my freshman-year self.
This Ball Bearings issue reminds me of the reason why I started this journey in the first place, to fill up that space that has for so long been denied to so many people. I constantly have to remind myself that my voice matters. I deserve to have a seat at the table. The truth is I have yet to find an answer that will stop me from thinking that there is no space for me. However, I can’t say that this journey hasn’t taught me a lot.
In taking the role of editor-in-chief, I knew I wanted to be the kind of leader who was compassionate and understanding. Each day, writers, designers, and photographers never fail to impress and inspire me to become the kind of person someone can look up to. On days when I feel like a space might be too small for me, I always remind myself of how far I have come despite these adversities.
In this issue, you’ll find stories about summer camp, gentrification, and women in STEM. My team never fails to amaze me with their talent, and I hope while reading this, you remind yourself that no matter how hard it may be, you will always have space in this world for you.
To any of my first-generation peers, and specifically the Latinx community here at Ball State reading this, I hope you find comfort in knowing that your voice matters and that these stories have a place for you. Create that space, and know that you belong there, always.
