As part of a collaboration between the Latino News Network and Made By Us, we are publishing Letters to America, a series created through the Youth250 project that invites Gen Z to reflect on the nation’s past, present, and future as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary.

Here is a poem by Julio Morales Contreras, 21, from Los Angeles, California

My way to see

When I came to this country, 

I noticed at first sight the differences

different people, cultures, lifestyles, 

art, houses, streets, and opportunities.

I continued my studies, made friends,

participated in clubs, doing extra activities,

play some sports, get the best scores,

meet an ephemeral love, get my first job,

do different fieldtrips, get counseling,

Look for what I like, look for the college,

start doing applications, get accepted,

complete my exams and graduate,

I started college and got a second job,

meet new people, new teachers, new counselors,

get more related to arts and community,

participated in different programs, a lot of volunteers, painting some murals, cleaning some streets, playing with kids.

Participating with organizations, 

make me feel connected with the community, not only mine, the whole different communities, making connection

learning traditions, expressions.

Since I am in this country 

I started noticing the bad side,

Watching segregation, discrimination and fault of coexistence.

I started looking for a change, collaborating with others,

Study to be able to represent those who don’t have any help.

I started teaching people of how to make a change,

Look  for the others and create a better community.

I started looking in the future for a really UNITED country,

that is open to everyone and it’s for everyone.