CONTENTS
4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
JOIN
THE
JOC
DIRECTOR'S
COMMUNITY
LETTERS
By Nicaulis Mercedes DIRECTOR'S
LETTERS
By Layla Husein TEAM
HIGHLIGHT
APPLY
TO
JOC
COMMENCEMENT
THIS
COULD
BE
US
By Jehlani Bowers
12/14/2020
By Marley Andrews DEAR
GENZ
By Mia Payne WHAT LIKE
DO
YOU
SEE
WHEN
INTO
THE
MIRROR?
By Evelyn Opara IM
SUFFOCATING
By Marie Toure
YOU
18 19 23 24 26 27 32 33 37
CHANGE
IS
INEVITABLE
By Nickaylia Anderson
CORONA
TIMELINE
By Jeronique Campell
ALEX
By Chidera Eddie-Nkwoh DESOLATE
DISSONANCE
By Elliot Babilonia PHOTOGRAPHY
JOC
COMMENCEMENT
PHOTOS
By Kevin Roman, Jeronique Campbell and Suvidya Bishnunat
ART
JOC
COMMENCEMENT
ART
By Skye Knight, Mamon Alivio, Jannessa Paredes, and Stephanie Cuevas
END
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@journalsofcolor.mag @journalsofcolor Journals of Color journalsofcolor.org @journalsofcolor
2020 has been a year that can't be explained with words. Its unique, chaotic energy was felt all around the world on both a physical and spiritual level. It's been a year of major losses, deaths, uncertainty, danger, awareness, and pain. But above all, it has taught us multiple valuable lessons. Whether it is holding your loved ones close, becoming aware of the racial injustices occurring within your communities, or even just addressing your old patterns and healing your wounds. Although 2020 has held a plethora of heavily tragic events, most may agree that time has passed by quite fast. It made most of us lose our perception of time and made us numb to new tragedies or even things we once used to enjoy.
This year has brought some of the hardest and most painful mental health battles to us all. Yet nevertheless, we were strong enough and capable enough to make it to this point. But before we move forward and look into the future, we must reflect on the past. We've all been mighty warriors fighting our own personal battles each and every day. Therefore, now we all deserve to commemorate our experiences and tell our own stories, whether it be through photography, art, or writing. It's time to creatively get rid of this heavy load in order to keep moving forward.
sincerely,
Nicaulis Mercedes your executive director.
2020 is a year that we are all programmed to believe is one of the worst years of all time. And for many, this is indeed true. With experiencing a pandemic, protests, wildfires, an election, deaths of family members and influential figures, murder hornets, remote learning, unemployment, a stock market crash, and global explosions, one is completely justified for hating 2020. As a start to a new decade, we’ve lost more than we can imagine. A new beginning turned out to be a dead end. While it’s easy for our minds to resort to our losses, it’s crucial for us to reflect on our growth. You are not the same person from January 1, 2020, and that should be the first thing you think of when contemplating the notorious 2020.
As the clock turned to “12:00 AM”, I excitedly ran to my mother and yelled, “NEW YEAR, NEW ME!” I tried to live up to the four words everyone says at the time, and for a moment, I did. In the following months, I got my first internship, journaled every day, and explored new hairstyles, but when the pandemic struck, I was clueless on what to do with myself. When I noticed that some TikTok trends at the time were Chole Ting ab workouts and manifestation, it was the first time where social media challenged me to do the unimaginable under hard circumstances. With every workout followed more self-discipline, and I soon flourished into a confident leader whilst trapped in my house. There is numerous positive news in 2020 that haven’t made it across media platforms, and with the second issue of our magazine, I encourage you to reflect on one positive thing you noticed within yourself before this year ends. With 2021 approaching, have no expectations on what could happen with the world or with yourself, but remember to prepare yourself for any journey or battle. Happy New Year.
Layla Hussein
sincerely,
your executive director.
m e e t c r e a t i v e s
t h e b e h i n d
o w t u s e im s agazine!
writing directors
Chazzel Ferbol Emmanuella Agyemang
Marielys Martinez
art direc tor
s
Teresa Bautis
F a to u m a ta D phy a gr o t or t pho c e dir
ne y a P M ia
ta
ra m m e h
CREATIVE WRITERS
Mia Payne Ada Tucker
Jehlani Bowers Marley Andrews Elliot Babilonia Xiomara Williams Jeronique Campbell
Marie T oure Chazz el Ferb ol Taniya Young Suvidy a Bishn udat Nickay lia And erson
Chidera Eddie-Nkwoh Chimezirim Evelyn Opara
Althea Ocomen Marielys Martinez
photo graphers
TS
S ARTI
redes a P a s s Janne ht Skye Knig Alivio Mamon mmeh a r D a t a Fatoum evas u C e i n a Steph ilo Kemely Cam nnett Be Shanaysha
Sharina Henriquez Jeronique Campbell Jocelyn Guaillazaca Xiomara Williams Suvidya Bishnudat Kevin Roman
OUTREA CH COORD INATOR S Roseline Olumuyide Emarine Royer Mia Payne Teresa Bautista Xiomara Williams
? R O
LS OF CO L NA
INTE R
J ING OUR IN
D I N E T JO S E
this is
JOURNALS OF COLOR the voices of the bronx.
This Could Be Us By Jehlani Bowers Remember when we could dance outside Watching the world go by, Feeling the nice hot air of summer hitting our faces With its tingly sun kisses Jammin out with friends, like the world would never end. This could be us again But the world won't be the same Life goes on, whether you slow down or not The good times are now gone But for me I feel like the world just stopped “Did I do something wrong?” “Did i make the wrong call?” “Is this fate?” All the hardships I've faced, is starting to make me feel that nothing or anyone is safe Now all we can do is wait And wait…and wait Until the world starts turning the right way again I’m sorry I could not say goodbye during this dark time But I’ve managed to see the bright side I was able to reach out to others Even if I was blocked by my transparent screens I tested new limits in the things that interested me to see what new visions I can bring I am able to take a breath without having the feeling I'm running late Though I miss the summer hot days I still have to find my own way I was given multiple challenges I’ve accomplished them and moved on This may not be the way I intend to start and end this chapter, But I'm glad I was able experience the things I experienced . And create new forms of joy and laughter.
12/14/2020 By Marley Andrews
The tiniest thing can break someone. I was sitting writing notes at 12 am My head aches because of the lights surrounding me Looking at the two screens Computer Tv Computer Tv Wishing for winter break Hopes of a better spring started to cement in my head Realization hits me like a train my birthday… in two weeks, my 16th birthday stuck alone I close my laptop and put everything I’m grateful to be okay I mean it honestly I don’t remember the last time I cried That night I didn’t stop
Dear Gen Z By Mia Payne
You know everyone told us when we were younger...every celebrity, role model, mentor, and older generation always told us, ‘We are the future!’. I don’t think when they told us that they knew it would be literal. The future literally rests in our hands, we are the ones whose lives won’t play out because we’ll be faced with the effects of climate change that previous generations have left for us. We are the most racially and ethnically diverse generation this world has ever seen, which means we are the most powerful generation this world will ever know. We care too much, we’re too passionate, and motivated, to let the world come crashing down in front of our eyes. I refuse to watch god's green earth become a place where none of us want to exist because in every corner there are fires burning, cities underwater, temperatures rising, and winds so intense they could blow out an entire population. We will save this earth with every brain in generation z around the world, this needs to be our top priority... because I refuse for it to even come close to an end without black people knowing the feeling of glory, without refugees knowing whats it’s like to have a home, without every child knowing the power of a good education. We were placed with this task and will face it head-on because there's more at stake than our future, it's the future of movements that have been going on far before we knew about global warming. This earth can not go down until it knows peace and we are the generation that will provide future generations with a chance at achieving that peace.
'What do you see when you look into the mirror?'
By Evelyn Opara What do you see When you look into the mirror? A reflection of your old self? Or promises of what you could become Who do you see? When you look into the mirror? A face you identify as yours Or a stranger... One who is completely new to you Some people wish to become someone Something... new Someone other than who they see in the mirror Like trying to escape a dark past One filled with pain and resentment One many have experienced this past year 2020... A year filled with loss A year filled with tears One’s nightmare brought to life What do you want to see? When you look into that mirror Constantly checking to see a change A change in the mirror? Or… a change in the person People stare But the face staring back It's a completely different one
One unlike how they’ve pictured themselves The imagery they’ve gotten so used to One they’ve lived their whole lives on Living in their own dream fantasy Afraid to embrace their scars Like an endless reminder of all the loss A loss we all share Some take it harder than the others Breaking down in the midst of their misery Others? They choose to get back up Change the situation Change what they see in the mirror Who do you see in the mirror? It doesn’t matter It’s who you are that really matters The mirror is just a reflection of your true self One we have to embrace With all the hurt The pain is what builds us up Resilience to fight onTo live another day Hopeful, of what may come
I'm Suffocating By Marie Toure I woke up to the sound of my phone obnoxiously ringing on my nightstand. It’s 6:00 am in the morning, whom could that be? Not knowing this phone call was about to change my whole life. “Is this Ayah Collins?” the caller asked. “This is she, how may I help you?” I replied, thinking the only reason someone called this early was to give some news. And I was right. Only it wasn’t good news like I hoped. “It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that you have been laid off due to the coronavirus. Thank you and have a blessed day” the man hurriedly said as he hung up. Laid off? Blessed day? The audacity to use those words in the same sentence. How would I take care of my 5-year-old? Pay the bills? Oh my god, how would I pay the rent when I am already 3 months late? My mind slowly drifted to the eviction letter that was carelessly thrown on the coffee table. I tried telling myself to be strong and that everything will be okay, but it was useless. I am broke and I have no one. What a terrible combination. After losing both of my parents to the coronavirus, the only thing that kept me going was Alifah. I take a look at Alifah and see the worries of paying bills and responsibilities non-existent. I wish I was like her again. Tears began pooling in my eyes, I had a feeling that this was the beginning of many crying sessions. I got up from the position I've been in for the past hour and went to get started on breakfast. I forgot that breakfast could not even be made because there was nothing in the fridge, besides some milk that would not even suffice Alifah. With a shaky breath, I took the milk out so it could warm up before she woke up. What am I going to do? A loud banging at my door interrupted my thoughts. What’s with people trying to get to me early today. I was startled by another knock, this one louder than the last. I quickly walked to the door, ready to give whoever this was a piece of my mind. However, as I opened the door, I quickly swallowed the words that danced at the tip of my tongue when I saw who was at the door; my landlord. I gulped, looking down at the emotionless face of a short chubby man. “Good morning Mr. Long,” I said, trying to diffuse whatever anger he already had. The glare on his face told me he was in no mood to make small talk today. “You’re late,” he said with a sharp tone. “ I-” He raised his hand as if to dismiss me and went on to say, “I think I’ve heard enough these past months. You have till nightfall to leave before I throw you out myself.” With that said, he then left me to my thoughts as if my day couldn’t get worse. Where would I go? Is this what they were talking about when they said “ go to college, your life will be better, you won’t have to worry about money.” Who would have thought someone with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting would be getting kicked out of an apartment that only costs $700 per month? Life can be so unfair sometimes... I close the door and the realization that I will be homeless sets in. I look around the apartment and I see a little blue duffle bag thrown on the floor. I take it and start putting some of my and Alifah’s clothes in there. ama?” Alifah called me. “Yes baby” I answered without looking at her. “Why are you packing? Are we going on a vacation?” I finally stopped what I was doing to look at her. I wanted to cry at the situation I put her in, but I had to be strong for both of us. “Yes, we’ll be going away for a little while. Do you want to eat?” “Yes, please.”
“I quickly grabbed her bowl and put cereal in it. While she was eating, I checked my bank account and saw that I had $500 dollars left. It was enough to get some food and also rent a moving truck and a storage unit. Most of the things in this apartment were here when I got here, so I don’t have much to pack. I go to the kitchen and fix all the bowls and pans. Next, I take all my belongings from the bathroom and I fix all our clothes. By the time I’m done, it was already 12 so I got dressed and quickly dressed Alifah. We walked to U-haul and rented a little truck to move our stuff to the storage unit. After renting the truck, I make my way to Home Depot to buy a few boxes. When it was my turn to pay, everything seemed so much more expensive, but then I realized it’s because I literally don’t have money to spend. I shook my head at my new reality and grabbed the boxes and Alifah and left the store. On my way back, I think about what I am going to do and decide it will be best if we went to a homeless shelter. I mean it’s the only option right now. At home, I put everything in the boxes and load them in the truck. I heard my back crack a few times but I paid it no mind. When I finished everything, it was already 5 so I locked the door to the apartment and went to give the keys to Mr. Long. I knocked on his door a few times before he answered. "I just wanted to give you the keys to the apartment,” I said without letting the tears in my eyes fall while handing him the keys. He looked at me with what seemed to be sympathy before saying, "Thank you, and I really wish you, good luck Ayah”. With that he closed his door, leaving me and Alifah in the hallway. "Mama, where are we going?” she asked. It took everything in me to not break down right now and just give up. "We’re going to our new home,” I told her without looking into her eyes. I could not tell my daughter to her face that we would be homeless. She mumbled ok and went back to strolling right beside me. When we reached the car, I put her in and buckled her seat belt after that, I did the same for myself. At the storage unit, it took almost an hour to get everything inside and locked up. I put the key in our Lille duffel bag and make my way to return the truck. After, Alifah and I got food at McDonald’s. Meanwhile, I was trying to find a homeless shelter for us and luckily, I found one 20 minutes away from where we were. “Alifah, baby, you need to eat faster. We have to go.” I told her while going to put my wrapper and cup in the garbage. "I’m done, thank you for the food Mama,” she said when I came back. I looked at her, thinking about how lucky I was to get a girl that was so mature for her age. I’m so thankful that she didn’t complicate anything. While walking to the shelter, we talked about everything and nothing, just to get my mind off the situation at hand. Soon after, we reach the homeless shelter and we walk inside. The lady in the front looked approachable and it gave me some comfort. “Good afternoon Ma’am.” I greeted her. “Good afternoon, how may I help you?” she asked without looking up. Nevermind about being approachable. “I was wondering if there was space for my daughter and I to stay for a while?” I asked while looking around the place. “Miss, to live in a homeless shelter, you have to apply a few months prior.” She told me with no emotion present in her eyes or voice. "Apply? I didn’t know anything about that. Where would my daughter and I go?” I asked with a shaky voice. When the lady didn’t say anything, I grabbed Alifah’s hand and started to leave. “Your daughter can actually stay.” I didn’t even turn around when she said that. I didn’t need to because I wasn’t leaving my child anywhere. “It’s ok, I’ll find somewhere to stay,” I told her. “It’s actually a protocol for us to take a child if we believe the parent can no longer take care of them.” I turned around so fast, I could’ve broken my neck. “And if I don’t let her stay?” I asked, knowing I didn’t want the answer. “Then we take her from you and she can never leave with you again. Even if you are stable.” A sense of emotion finally appearing on her face. I turned around to face Alifah with tears in my eyes. “Baby, you’re going to have to stay here with the nice lady for a while until I find a job,” I told her with tears streaming down my face. “I don’t want to stay here without you,” she said sobbing. “I know, but you have to,” I said, heartbreaking at the sight of her face. She threw herself at me, in a bone-crushing hug and said, “I love you, mama.” "I love you too, baby, I love you so much.” I handed her over to the lady. “Can I at least visit her?” I asked her and she nodded. I give Alifah one last hug and leave silently praying to God and asking him to guide me.“What am I going to do?” I thought to myself.
Change is Inevitable By Nickaylia Anderson Life is uncontrollable. It's silent and leaves little to no explanation. Your circumstances never give a straight-forward answer to what you have been questioning for months. Normalcy doesn't last for anyone, not even the ones who try so hard to be in control.What is normalcy and why should I strive for it? I try to be on top of things and to be in control of my reality. However, the events in March showed me the opposite of my expectations. With one event, my routine changed significantly. Schools had closed and we had abruptly switched to full remote learning. Without a warning, the covid cases were on the rise and the safety of me and my loved ones was under threat. The pandemic interrupted my social life and my academic life. I wasn't able to see my friends and being able to talk to them was even harder. My teachers were new to this like I was and I tried to be patient with them. However,the assignments increased overtime. This change in my routine was just really hard to keep up with. Realistically the pandemic began to take a toll on my mental and emotional health. The unrealistic expectation was from the people around me to continue as if nothing had changed.In all honesty, things weren't as easy as they appeared. It felt like I hadn't experienced happiness in months and there was little to no relief from that. The news reports saddened me even more because I was suddenly aware of the number of people who lost their lives from covid. The number of families and friends who could no longer communicate, love, and see their loved ones. I had a lot of frustration and anger from the events unfolding. Most of all, I always felt disappointed in myself for not being able to adjust to this period of time. I felt disappointed in myself that I dared to complain when there were people experiencing worse than I ever had. Every moment of each day that passed gave me the impression that I was stuck in the present and there would be no chance of a future. My thoughts became so overwhelming and timeconsuming that I couldn't focus on anything else. I forgot about my family, my academics, and my friends. I ignored the people who were there for me and I focused on a false reality that I had painted around myself. It got to the point where simple tasks weren't so easy anymore. It got to the stage where I chose to isolate myself than to communicate my problems. I didn't allow myself to relax or take a break. But I knew that it would have been unhealthy otherwise. That's when I decided to stop worrying about the days ahead; To actually stop worrying about the past, the present, the future and to just allow myself some peace.I allowed myself to take life one day at a time instead of worrying about what I can and can't do. It really helped to take the burden off or at least as much as I could. 2020 hasn't been the best year and I definitely would not want to experience this again. There were a lot more sad moments than there were happy ones. However, there were happy moments, both personal and public. This year taught me that my expectations won't always work out. Life isn't always filled with happiness or sadness. It's all about balance and how much you can take. 2020 also taught me to embrace friends and family because I would never know when I won't be able to. Pushing my pride and my own negative feelings aside and just living in the moment is vital. Life isn't always sunshine but it’s not always raining either."The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.� — Dolly Parton
Corona Timeline By Jeronique Campbell January, it was a new year, new time, fine wine; Everybody was happy, thinking that 2020 was gonna be the time; To improve and lose the 2019 negativity that was killing the mood; For so many future stars that needed an energy boost; But Trump was still president; And there were too many who suffered; I’m talking about the immigrants; And the many instances where Latinos and Muslims; Kept duckin’ and weavin’ the system; Trying not to become victims; Of hate crimes to see another sunshine; Just one more time; February, rumors started coming up; And hard enough as it was; To take control of the talk; The government failed; To keep the virus under the rug; Then someone caught it; On their home from China; And spread it quicker than the seeds on the ground; And when the people found out The world was in the first round March, Trump didn’t talk about it too much; But many states were feeling the punch; When the positivity rate went up; And the hospital space had run out;
Photography by Layla Hussein
April, Nothing could prepare us for this; Every school had to close; Hard-hit states ;Fell into an abyss; And they had to look to their leaders for an assist; But they were too busy arguing about the wrong things; And Donald trump was too busy; Trying to keep the politics high; Which left the mayors and governors daunting;
May, New York became the highest state; To endure the highest rate; Of death; Which left so many feeling pressed; The governor and mayor were trying their best; So the state went on lockdown; Which the state vulnerable; In economics no less; But the stimulus checks helped the people; Made them feel blessed; But it didn’t last too long; Cause families and tenants lose their homes; They depended on; Meanwhile, in Minneapolis another black man had died; 9:25 p.m. was the time; After a white officer choked him to death; For 8 Minutes and 46 Seconds; His name was George Perry Floyd Jr.; My grief goes out to him and his family; And what happened to him was wrong; And racism was the main enemy; But this brought an uprising in the colored community; Black Lives Matter became the name; And phrase had gained its fame; We protest every day no matter the harm that may come our way; No justice no peace; Rest in Power George Floyd; June, Trump had a really bad month; This was a round the people won; Watching Donald Trump make a fool out of himself ;Was pretty fun; But when his campaign team; Jumped the gun; It was obvious from the start; They were done; July, Black Lives Matter; That’s the phrase that took over the world; Every colored individual; Got their fist in the air; Every boy and every girl; We shakin’ the ground with each step we take; This was made to put fear into those; Who don’t believe in what we say; When we say; Today is the day when we bring change; August, California is on fire again; While trump’s failing to reassure the Americans; That the virus will go away; Disappear, a mouse, or whatever word he used; Anyways, political campaigns are rising; And everybody’s getting ready for the final fight; America Had a nice surprise when;Joe Biden had a special decision History was made when Kamala Harris was picked for Vice President;
September, corona rates in New York; Are at a record low; Back to school commercials are back to let us know; That the governor and mayor have a huge decision to make; But not many know exactly how to feel; And the plans are all mixed up ;But “If my child causes the virus I wouldn’t know what to do with myself”; October, so many have died from the virus; And natural causes did the rest; Despite us being a part of human society; I think as individuals we are not really prepared for the worst; We have to converse; We have to reverse the hate; That divides us all; We have the ability to enlighten; Those who don’t understand what is to love their neighbors; And… wait…; Do you hear that; November, Corona rate are rocketing farther than the sky; ...“THE ELECTION IS COMING”;
And the government is going berserk; The race is Trump VS. Biden and Harris; VOTE VOTE VOTE; The world is at a stand-still; Backing into its last corner; VOTE VOTE VOTE; Fighting, fearing, crying, lying; Denying their rights so they don’t lose their lives; VOTE VOTE VOTE; And sshhhh; Do you hear that ;It's quite right; No, listen closer; It's the muffled sound of cheering and rejoice; People clapping from the inside of their homes; It's getting louder; And now you can see people; Their holding signs but you’re blinded by ignorance; By the ice in your heart; You can’t read them; The streets slowly become congested; You hear words but refuse to listen; You’re deflecting the change but it haunts you; Like a sour memory from your mind; You tap on a shoulder; “Hey what’s going on” “Didn’t you hear,” You shake your head “BIDEN AND KAMALA WON”;
December, Biden, and Harris are already getting ready; To take their rightful place in the White House; But Donald Trump and his campaign are being *S A L T Y*; So we fight and keep pushing; But the White House won't give up; BRANDON BERNARD We have to fight; SAVE DUSTIN HIGGS; Be the change that we need to support the future; We have the power to be better; We can be the future;
It is December 18th, 2020; And I would like to pay my respects to the role models along with innocent individuals that have paved the way for us to grow; JOHN LEWIS KOBE BRYANT BRANDON BERNARD RUTH BADER CHADWICK BOSEMAN ALEX TREBEK CHARLEY PRIDE CASEY GOODMAN JOHNNY NASH POP SMOKE JUICE WRLD KING VON GEORGE FLOYD BREONNA TAYLOR AND MORE And to those who have died from police brutality along this those who have been forgotten...
Alex By Chidera Eddie-Nkwoh There’s no greater joy than playing outside with some friends. The sound of the ball bouncing off of the pavement, the labored breathing, and the smell of sweat and trees. Everybody knows that after a game, it’s pizza and soda time. What isn’t more “New Yorken” than pizza? Alex played sports during gym, after school, and during their free time. The best analogy to get them thinking was sport-related. Yes, sports was the love of their lives. Their one true passion. Alex was having the year of their life. Their GPA was high, it was spring and pretty and they just made the soccer team! “I should have known better," they thought. Surely they should have known that a year doesn’t go swimmingly well. Then Covid struck, mercilessly and unrelentingly. Locked doors, masks, 6 feet, no friends, and no sport. They couldn’t breathe. The house was closing in. There were walls everywhere. What was Alex to do? Alex felt suffocated, so they isolated themselves from the family and stayed in their room staring at the ceiling for hours or pacing like a caged lion. As the world got worse, Alex got worse. “250,000 deaths, covid isn’t real, open buildings back up." God...Alex was lost. Is the pandemic real? Why were they locked up? Why are people dying? Where is the government? What is happening?! Worried and concerned, their parents called them. Alex went as the converse. Apparently, they wanted to bond, and while Alex would never admit it, but, they were happy to reconnect with their family. They couldn’t remember the last time they had dinner as a family. “Woah! Where are those abs?!” Alex's mother joked one day over dinner. Grumbling, Alex complained about their inability to play sports. They felt unfocused and lost. “What is life without sports?”, they lamented. Ever observant, Alex’s mother suggested they exercise since they couldn’t play sports. Cautiously optimistic, Alex researched for some online exercises and discovered that they could exercise with their friends from school via zoom and discord. They weren’t sure, but it was worth a try. Freaking Zoom, they thought as they looked at their frozen friends. Yet, even though zoom was beginning to be the bane of their existence, Alex couldn’t deny that it was helping. They could put their energy somewhere. God, they missed going outside but Zoom would have to do. If ethereal was one thing Alex learned during the worst few months of their life, it was the importance of a connection. Without their family and the sports community consisting of their real-life friends and online friends, Alex would have been in a worse situation. Yes, Alex was waiting for Covid to end, but until then, they would take comfort in their family and virtual community.
Desolate Dissonance By Elliot Babilonia
The sound of laughter fills the air as we jokingly shove each other fighting for the last donut I blink my eyes and the image is gone and I'm once again in this prison I call my room I could still hear the distant whisper of my friends laughing loudly But only for a second and the never-changing silence returns once again A bittersweet smile forms across my face thinking of how those memories were just from a few months ago My breathing begins to quicken and that seems to be the only thing I can hear other than my beating heart I didn't realize I was tearing up until I tasted a salty teardrop, yet I made no motion to wipe them away I see my friends standing in front of me and I try to reach for their silhouette When I finally reach them there image cracked as if they were made of glass My chest tightened. I began breathing heavily until I could no longer breathe and darkness soon filled my vision My conscious and unconscious state of mind made no difference to me as all I did was stare apathetically at the wall and ceiling Boredom permeated my mind but I made no move to be productive A week has passed and finally, this pile of flesh we call a human finally moved and colored me surprised when I learned it could talk too Finally waking up from the apathetic state of mind I sighed at the disappointment of my actions and lack of movement for a week I cleared my mind of self-pity and chose to think rationally instead
Even if I'm confined in this jail cell, no matter what quality it is it's still a prison, I could still communicate with my friends through technology It might be different from physical contact, but it's still better than the possibility of causing others or myself's death Even after clearing my mind, boredom remained Who knows when this self-isolation would end, and I’m not letting myself do anything and become a Pile of flesh again I don't have any right to complain about boredom if all I've done 'till the end of the quarantine was stare at the screen of my phone or laptop There is so much possibility now I see self-isolation in a different sound than monotone This prison is not just any prison, it's my prison so I change it to my advantage and comfort Setting goals that are tangible Learning different skills and talents with the help of technology Bonding over with family now that we all have time During quarantine, I would no longer be a useless rotting pile of flesh who is unwilling to adjust with time I will continue to accommodate this situation while also taking advantage of the amount of free. time.
introducing the
PHOTOGRAPHY from JOC photographers.
Photography by Kevin Roman
Photography by Kevin Roman
Photography by Kevin Roman
Photography by Jeronique Campbell
Photography by Suvidya Bishnudat
introducing the
ART from JOC artists.
Art by Skye Knight
Art by Mamon Alivio
Art byJannessa Paredes
Art by Stephanie Cuevas
THE END OF ISSUE TWO
journals of color