Reflection

After analyzing the situation and the rapid transition we all lived, I saw the opportunity of capturing voices and experience in relation to such a crucial time in our lives due to the coronavirrus. At first, I wondered who I should interview and what the purpose would be. I was searching for someone with an “important role” during this period. After reflectincting for a while, I realized how much value there is in recording experiences of peoples whose voices are not normally exposed in the media and other sources of public information. I finally decided to interview my dad, Gabriel Beltrán. He is a hardworking man who has just experienced another big transition after the effects of the economy in Puerto Rico and is now established and working in Florida. 

While listening to my dad's stories, I realized how many of them I had not heard or was familiar with. It was so beautiful to be able to listen about his first transition to the United States after growing up in Puerto Rico. This peculiar experience spoke to me in a personal way, since it made me reflect back to my experience growing up with the  pressure of learning english in school in order to be “successful”. I also reflected back to when I first moved to the United States and how difficult these transitions are. In a way, many of the pressures that we experience come out of love and the desire that our parents feel to see us grow. 

Being able to interview my dad was a very special experience for me. There were so many fun and amazing stories that I now want to carry with me and share with our families' future generations. It was also an opportunity for me to connect with my dad in such a vulnerable time for humanity. Oftentimes, we try to hide our struggles, especially parents, since they want to be the "rock" of the house. It was very valuable to experience how my dad opened up to me by sharing his stories and how this crucial time has affected his personal life. Through the process, I realized how important it is to voice these experiences and capture how the coronavirus has changed our lives so rapidly. My dad had to work daily in order to provide a living for our family and still managed to bring joy, hope, and love into our house.