Self Construction

This is an excerpt from Today's New Name May Be Tomorrow's Old by Sassafrass Lowrey

   "This was performance art. My body the only prop I needed, the streets and punk houses of Portland my stage. North Portland still haunts me. Killingsworth to Lombard, I walked those streets cloaked in darkness, a soundtrack of riot grrrl and folk recorded in Alberta basement studios. Making stages from propped up pallets, learning to silkscreen with weak Oregon sunshine, and stealing double sided copies. On the edge of genesis I created, loved, and fucked, as bodies shifted and savings accounts ebbed and flowed with the seasons. Surgery funds traded for rent, dinner out when food stamps were low. Art was everywhere. Walls and skin covered with layer upon layer of color, image and meaning bleeding together. My cuticles crusted with spray paint, glue, copy-toner and cum."

Everyone should experience, play with and own their self creation. If my transgender studies class has taught me anything it is that ultimately no matter our gender or sexual orientation as queer or as predictable as possible, we are all self made and should cherish that process and result. You and only you can dictate yourself. Of course cultural standards, family pressures blah blah yeah contribute but ultimately it is down to only you. You are fully responsible for your proudest and most fucked up moments. They are equally legitimate and equally yours. Own them, make them, love them all.