Chelsey R. Patterson

I am from the Third Coast, from the in-between spaces of South Texas. I am from “Qué pasa y’all,” from taquerias and Whataburger, Tejano and Johhny Cash, lowriders and F150s; The borderland of contradictions and complexities.

I am 50% West Virginia hillbilly, 50% Virgina Beach, 100% belonging nowhere and everywhere, Maybe somewhere West of here.

I am of the middle-class white suburbanite, of Reagonomics, consumerism and New Wave, MTV and VCRs, class consciousness and loathing.

I am from class president in 6th grade, to homemade tattoos in 9th grade. I am from funeral director to English major, From single young motherhood, From PTA meetings where they thought I was his older sister, From unpacked boxes and the rent is due, From making family where you’re lucky enough to find it.

I am from the beach, Salty and sun-bleached, A product of many cultures,

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Transforming and reforming, The tide shaping something new.

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