This story in particular stood out to me. Beautifully written and thought-provoking. Let’s look at some of my favorite quotes.
The first section touches on what it’s like to immigrate at a young age and leave your family behind. The author is learning how to spin their story to make it easier for people to “understand without really having to know”.
With lies you reduce yourself into plaster, witch will be used to bind a new self together.
“Mortar, Porcelain, Brick” by Kay Iguh, Alien Nation: 36 True Tales of Immigration, edited by Sofija Stefanovic
It made me consider how much of myself I mask for the general public. And also how many times I have struggled to remake myself. There are similarities here, though I am not saying my experience and the author’s are they same. They are not the same at all.
This, too, is a kind of survival — this ability to take everyday insults and spin them into fodder that will fire clay into porcelain.
“Mortar, Porcelain, Brick” by Kay Iguh, Alien Nation
This is a technique that I wish I was better at.
Next, the author compares remaking one’s self to being purified in fire. Sometimes you feel you’ve lost pieces of yourself. Sometimes you don’t recognize yourself.
In building a future you dismantle a past.
“Mortar, Porcelain, Brick” by Kay Iguh, Alien Nation
Remaking one’s self almost demands being torn apart first.
Calmly, with your head raised against someone else’s fear, you walk into the fire. From mortar to porcelain, you are repurposed into brick.
“Mortar, Porcelain, Brick” by Kay Iguh, Alien Nation
This moved me deeply. Believe me, I will remember this. Even if I don’t understand it entirely right now, one day when I am repurposed into brick, I will remember this.
Stay strong, my fellow heartbeats, and check out the talented Kay Iguh.
— Shalanosa
Shalanosa's Sanctuary 