Dear Past Kevin, 

I conducted an interview with a close friend, Soriha, and she taught me about her community, the importance of family, and her culture in general. She brought multiple pictures of her family and explained how much she loves her family as well as how they shaped her into the person she is now. These photos allow her to reminisce on those events but also to capture the moment which is why she enjoys taking photos now as well. In addition, she brought letters from her favorite cousin since her cousin moved and they haven’t been able to communicate as much due to the distance. They have been writing letters to each other for quite a long time about what they have been doing and to just catch up with one another which I think is the cutest. This is  something that I would love to try with my cousin who lives in San Francisco. She also brought a painting that was gifted to her from her close friend, Melanie, and it represented black people, her community. The painting represented her love for black women. Additionally to her, it was much more than that because her community was basically her family. The final archive she brought was a necklace that was passed down from generations. She received the necklace from her aunt after she got baptized. Did you know that you don’t always get baptized at the church? Even though there are many churches that have a big pool for people to get baptized in, you are able to get baptized at the beach. It was common for people in Trinidad to be baptized at the beach. There is a long strict process when it comes to getting baptized. Being baptized meant a lot to her since everyone in her family got baptized, she felt more connected with her family and culture. Soriha got baptized at the beach and being baptized means that you are washing your sins away and building a stronger relationship with Christ. Furthermore, after she got baptized she got more necklaces from her family but receiving this necklace from her aunt made their connection with one another even stronger, better and she just felt special. That was interesting since this is similar within my culture because when you become an adult or when you are married a family member would pass down a generational jewelry that would symbolize the person’s growth, family and their heritage. Having this jewelry allowed the person to have a stronger connection with the family, dead and alive. Overall, this interview didn’t feel much like an interview but rather a bit formal conversation which is why it felt relaxing for the both of us. I hope you enjoyed the interview and learned more about the Christianity and the meaning behind being baptized. Thanks!