We all know Dora
The girl who walks across your TV speaking Spanish
Making sure you understand her while going on adventures along the way
We all know Dora
The girl who introduces you to her best friends and makes you feel included
Even through a screen, she made sure you understood what they were talking about
We all know Dora
The girl you clicked on to watch go on magical journeys and adventures
Using her language to bring your world and hers together
I knew Dora
I watched her every morning before school and every afternoon and evening
She was my life, she was the only girl my age to understand me
I was Dora
Countless Halloweens went by and I still dressed up as her
I wanted to cut my hair to her length, but my mother told me that Dora wished she had my length
I was Dora
I was deemed the translator between the world and my mother
While barely knowing English myself
Growing up just her and me, I had to understand English like Dora
So that my mom and I could get by
I had Dora
Dora knew English better than me
While everyone watched her to learn Spanish for fun
I had to use her as my gateway to understanding the language of my peers
The language of my school
The language of my area
But it was not the language of my home
It was not the language of my life
Dora was not me
She lived a life of adventures
Going outside with her friends
Having a nice stable family relationship
While I stayed home helping my mother apply for jobs
Translating whatever legal documents sent for her
And receiving backlash from her when I did not understand a word, while
balancing school assignments I did not understand
And trying to have a social life that did not include my one and only cousin my age
I was not Dora
She had short hair and animals for friends
My hair was long and I barely had any friends
Everyone understood her and she was social
I could never get anyone to listen to me and barely spoke out
I did not have Dora
We lost cable one day
Bills came and cuts were made
My mom told me it was temporary
But I never saw Dora again
…
I knew Dora
She kept my childhood grounded
She was there when things were rough
As childish as it sounds now from an 18-year-old girl who knows English and is in a
better state than she once was
Dora was my first-ever best friend
Do I miss Dora?
I mean, I learned and grew with and away from her
She taught me things, as childish and funny as it sounds
But it was all about perspective
And understanding one another’s viewpoints
I don’t miss Dora
She taught me everything already
I may have resented her at some points
But she was always there
Maybe I did and did not have Dora
Maybe I needed and didn't need her
Maybe I wanted and didn't want her
But I have myself
Myself today without Dora
Did you know Dora?
Comments