Culture Writing | RV Mendoza

I'm not an individual after all
I’m obsessed with this one scientific fact: my body is an ecosystem. It makes being an ‘individual’ feel a lot less obvious.
Being attracted to “hot” people makes me feel gross.
I’ve spent a lot of time questioning attraction, conventional beauty standards, shame, and what any of it has to do with my politics or self-worth.
How sci-fi triggered my christian trauma: Pluribus
I didn’t expect a sci-fi TV finale to bring up some lore from my religious past. Thanks a lot, Apple TV+.
The Pink House: My Filipino family’s first home in America
My first home in America was a pale pink house in Harbor Beach, Michigan. It’s where my family’s life here began.
Gender as an invitation, rather than an obligation
I’m trying to treat gender as an invitation to explore instead of an obligation to perform.
I don't want to get married, and here's why
Marriage doesn’t make sense to me anymore. I still believe in love and commitment. I’m questioning the contract and the convention around them.
Grey's Anatomy's Wheel of Samsara
I’ve been watching way too much Grey’s Anatomy. It’s almost painful.
The (Financial) Cost Of Coming Out as a Queer Gay Man
How much money did it cost for me to come out as a queer gay man?
Is MoGo in Detroit Worth It?
Is it MoGo or is it more like NoGo? I do hella math so you don’t have to. Y’all don’t deserve me, tbh.
The High Cost Of Being Poor In Detroit
Does it cost more to be poor? Yes. But it’s not just money. It’s time, skill, and access.