Consciously Consuming

The Truth Behind Paradise Rodriguez-Bordeaux's Quote

The house may have provided some shelter, but living there without basic necessities like running water made day-to-day life very difficult

8 min read

Paradise Rodriguez-Bordeaux poses in a beige bodycon dress and heels in a dim lounge with geometric ceiling lights.

LOOK AT YOU.

Look at you loving your people through all you’ve endured. Your boundaries grew stronger. Your heart stayed yours. Look at you—unapologetic in your rise, still grounded, with no need to always advertise. Look at you—you didn’t beg for a seat. You built the room. Now they rise to their feet.

A collage of Paradise Rodriguez-Bordeaux at her Harvard graduation

Ashes to Empire

I've carried loss like heavy stones, felt cancer bloom beneath my skin. The pressure pressed against my chest,but still I chose to rise and win. Mrs. Cathy said, "Take care of you." The doctor said, "It's fine to break." I took a breath, I shed my tears, then stood back up for my own sake. I built my empire brick by brick, wore Harvard's colors like a crown. I spoke in rooms that banned my kind, and helped the lost become the found.