re-rooting.
I’m Roni from Roni & Poly and I make polymer clay and resin jewellery. Since being a stall-holder at we are the mainstream’s inaugural event, I have been welcomed into a new fold, of which until recently, I have been on the fringes of. I have been welcomed into a community of strong women doing their bit to decolonise their communities and the spaces they find themselves in.
I was born in Australia to Chilean and Argentinian refugee and immigrant parents and I have Spanish grandparents. I barely speak Spanish and haven’t always felt connected to my Spanish/South American roots. My parents are Australian citizens, came here when they were young, and worked hard to learn English and assimilate. As we grew up, my parents spoke to me and my siblings in English, much to the chagrin of my grandparents.
In primary school I first noticed that to be beautiful meant being fair skinned, blonde and blue eyed. A bit different from what I look like, a Morena, olive, dark eyes, and a tumble of wild black hair.
Conversely, in high school when I did have more South American friends, I didn't feel like I fit in either. I never had a quinceañera and my Spanish speaking friends would make fun of my lack of Spanish.
As a uni student at my young adults bible study at church, I was one of the token foreign people. There was a whole subculture of ‘quintessential Aussie’ sayings, movies and traditions I had no idea about. I saw how very foreign my mother looked next to the other ‘Anglo’ parishioners at my church. Or that one time my surname (Gomez), was completely mistaken in the church newsletter as Lopez. My friends thought that was hilarious.
Without any sarcasm, I married a very nice young Anglo man, took his very Anglo last name and had 2 very nice little babies, both of whom have light eyes, skin and hair. When the first born came along, her great grandmother warned me that if her great granddaughter spoke to her in Spanish she would get a slap. Let’s not be too hard on her, she does have dementia.
I’ve been torn between two worlds, not really fitting in either.
Growing up with a mum who has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in part as a result of fleeing her unsafe home country, and for many years not having closure, has created an interesting environment to be raised in. Both her and my father have done a stellar job. Despite the odds, my grandparents and parents came to Australia with very little and worked their butts off so me and my siblings could be raised in safety and privilege and I’m grateful.
I’m grateful for we are the mainstream. I am working to be proud of my cultural identity and to stand up against racial injustices in my community, whether big or small. And I’m working for @Roni.and.Poly to be the vehicle where I can help others to feel proud of their roots too.
