Letter to the Editor: The Ghetto Manifesto by Lady D (NSFW audio)

It came in exactly this way via our handy SUBMIT form. (On the go? There’s a NSFW two-minute audio podcast version we created at the bottom of this article):

This is to every person who wants to get out and break free to be human and not be a fucking stereotype. I call it the Ghetto Manifesto. I was bred from a culture that lives in fear to succeed. We were once the Gods of the Temples- the living legends standing proud on the steps of Tenochtitlan- Now we are on our knees glorifying the filth around us. Our streets are filled with soldiers of ignorance and rage- fighting brother against brother- for what? A piece of land that we don't even own? For the love we did not receive at home? We call out names- spill our hateful rhetoric, beat each other to be let in to an exclusive group of clowns with silly names. Taking family trips in to unknown territories using hurtful toys to shed innocent blood. The family. What a fucking joke.

We are offended when they call our bluff. We are the lazy and ignorant wetbacks that they speak of. We have no identity. We are neither ni de aqui, ni de alla. I want to make a stand now. A moniker is not the way I wish to remembered by. I don't wish to be a statistic- another breeding factory churning and laboring the next batch of society's rejects. My mother does not need to pray the rosary; so that my murderous soul enters the gates of Heaven. Why is it that we tolerate such decay- such ignorance to breed within ourselves? The answer is within our homes. The lack of love, affection, and attention. We are afraid of our magnificence. We are capable of many great things, but those who lack ambition and fear any changes- Marr our history. You are afraid. I am afraid. We all, collectively are afraid. We are cowards because we do nothing to incite the change. And those who do- are being muddied and brought back down to the filth. I choose to change. I choose an education. I choose to exit the other door - away from this clown infested funhouse- the ghetto I was installed in. Not by man, but by circumstance, last name, and skin tone. Aztlan does in fact exist- Within me. My exodus to enlightment begins here- Cuauhtemoc and Montezuma proudly hold my hand as I take the first steps.

— Lady Divina M.