L.S.: Lili Mendoza-Sosa interviewing Jessie Mendoza Sosa
So Jessie, where are you from?
J.S.: Eugene, Oregon.
L.S.: What was it like moving to your neighborhood?
J.S.: Very different. It was a new experience but I like the urban area so I didn't have big thoughts about it.
L.S.: What kind of vibe did you get out of your neighborhood?
J.S.: Where I live right now, a sketchy vibe. But I haven't really felt any hostility in this area directed towards me, so not that bad.
L.S.: What makes you feel safe or unsafe?
J.S.: Definitely the drugs and prostitution.
L.S.: How do you stick to your cultural roots when you move to a new place?
J.S.: I like to have a handful of books on me that I read about cultural backgrounds and where I come from and I just like to incorporate a little of that in my stylistic forms, just the way that I dress and act, try to keep it rooted in my background.
L.S.: How do you experience your cultural identity in your neighborhood, how do you experience cultural identities of others?
J.S.: In my neighborhood, I feel that my culture is very abundant. So I don't really have a problem with it. What I like about my area the most is that it brings about a lot of individuality yet unity in races and cultures. But what I noticed in other cultures is definitely cultural appropriation. As they say America is a mixing pot, I've seen other cultures take bits and pieces way from other cultures. 
L.S.: Do you think your family accepts different cultures?
J.S.: Most definitely, I'm open to many different cultures.  I would assume my family is the same. WE haven't really had a discussion on it, but yes I'm pretty sure that my family is pretty open minded to the idea of different cultures.
L.S.: To what extent can you be yourself in your neighborhood?
J.S.: As a transgender woman of color, it is difficult to express yourself. 
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L.S.: Lily Mendoza Sosa interviewing Jesse Sosa
What was it like moving to your neighborhood?
J.S.: It was a different experience, but I really like the urban scene, so I didn't really have big thoughts about it.
L.S.: Where were you originally from?

J.S.: I grew up in Eugene Oregon.
L.S.: What were your first impressions of the neighborhood /community?
J.S.: My first impressions were very different. In the area that I live right now, I sort of felt that it was kind of sketchy or that something was not right about it. But as the time goes by, it's not that bad.
L.S.: How safe do you feel in your neighborhood?
J.S.: Well as a transgender woman of color…

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L.S.: Lily Mendoza Sosa interviewing Jesse Mendoza Sosa
Where are you from Jesse?
J.S.: Eugene, Oregon.
L.S.: What was it like moving to your neighborhood?
J.S.: Different.
L.S.: How safe do you feel in your neighborhood?
J.S.: Very safe.
L.S.: What was your first impression of the neighborhood?
J.S.: Kind of a bad area but when you find out, it's not as bad as it seems.
J.S.: What makes you feel safe or unsafe?
L.S.: I feel safe with the police officers. I don't feel safe with the drug dealers.
J.S.: How do you stick to your cultural roots when you move to a new place?
L.S.: I don't really feel that I have any cultural roots to stick to. I believe that since America is a melting pot, we should be able to take little bits and pieces away from every other culture and incorporate that into our own.
J.S.: Is it important to you or do you feel the need to experience or maintain your cultural identity in the neighborhood?
L.S.: I don't really have any cultural presence that I feel that I need to uphold in my expression in any way in this neighborhood.
L.S.: Do you think your family accepts different cultures?
J.S.: No my family does not.
L.S.: Where do you hang out with your friends and family?
J.S.: At home most of the time, I spend the majority here, or at work or at school.
L.S.: Do you hang out somewhere else in the neighborhood?
J.S.: No I don't really spend a lot of time in the neighborhood.
L.S.: How would you describe your neighborhood to someone who hasn't been there?
J.S.: Bad, disgusting, garbage-filled, unmaintained, ghetto. As a common street term that I would use.
L.S.: Are there some good things about it?
J.S.: I think there is but I just haven't come to find any of them. A lot of people don't really think this area is a good area.
L.S.: Thank you Jesse.