#myunion

It really feels like just yesterday my Abuela and Mom were walking me down to my first day of kindergarten. I was excited and nervous to meet new people, make new friends, learn new things. And now, a few years later, I start orientation for my new degree—the "terminal" degree (whatever that may mean)—and I'm just thinking back on all the times my Mom and Dad and Maminai and Tio took me to school. Just thinking about my family on this day we've been waiting a long time for.... ----------- Se siente como si nada más el otro día mi Abuela y Mama estaban caminando con migo a mi primer día de Kindergarten. Yo estaba nervioso y emocionado a conocer gente nueva, hacer nuevos amigos, aprender cosas nuevas. Y ahora, años después, empiezo orientación para mí proximo programa—como le dicen, el programa "terminal"—y yo aquí pensando en todas las veces que Mami y Papi y Maminai y Tio me llevaron a la escuela. Solo pensando en mi familia en este día que hemos anticipado por tanto tiempo.... #MyUnion (at Union Theological Seminary)

Obligatory "I got my graduation robe (and look like a priest???) / ish just got real" photo #MyUnion (at Union Theological Seminary)

And with that I officially submit the final paper of my Masters of Arts degree at Union Theological Seminary. #MyUnion (at Union Theological Seminary)

Liberation is Contextual. The amerikkkan Dream is Still a Lie. ¡Que Viva Puerto Rico Libre! ¡Palante Siempre! With the words of this post-graph I officially conclude my Master's thesis entitled "Nationalism in the [Colonized] Diaspora: The Vision, Division, and Fall of The Young Lords Party." #TheYoungLordsParty #MyUnion #Thesis #GradSchool #PuertoRican #DiaspoRican #Colonization (at Union Theological Seminary)

I remember being three years old and playing with the few toys I had in a cardboard box in my living room. On one of those occasions I remember emerging from that box and telling my parents "Algún día yo voy a ser Dr. Rodríguez." (One day I'm going to be Dr. Rodriguez). I didn't know all that entailed, I just knew I had a dream. And it looks like twenty years later that dream is finally coming true! In the fall I will start my Ph.D. in Religious History of the Americas at Union Theological Seminary under the tutelage of Dr. Daisy Machado and Dr. Cornel West as first and second advisors. I'm profoundly grateful for this opportunity and so thankful to my parents. Mom and Dad always told me "no te podemos dar mucho, lo único que te podemos dar es una buena educación." (We can't give you much, all we can give you is a good education). I hope they know they gave me so much more. I'm thankful to my grandma and Tio that always kept me grounded. To my community that always supported me and encouraged me. To my partner who is my best encourager, critic, editor, and reminder of the beauty of the world. To all those teachers and Professors who saw something in me from pre-school to Head Start to Elementary, Middle, High School, College, and my Masters. I'm so thankful. I'm gonna be a Doctor Y'all!!!! #MyUnion (at Union Theological Seminary)

#myunion is lettin' it shine. #BlackLivesMatter #ThisIsWhatTheologyLooksLike (at union theological seminary)