As promised, the rest of Harold’s interview! Recap:
Harold:
So, heā¦ [is] a double leg amputee. I think its above the kneeā¦ As a teenager, he was building his own prosthetics and thatās how he fell in love with it. And, so in the TED talk, you see how he built feet for a woman who [is] a dancerā Who [is] a below the knee amputee. And she was dancing across the stage and I cried a little bitā¦ It was wonderful.Ā
And there are women in his team! There are!Ā
Pebbles:Ā Ā
So, aside from career-wise, who is the person you look up to the most?Ā
Harold:
Ā My mama! Um, one thing I admire is dedication and just sheer resilience and my mom has all of thatā¦ She overcame poverty in Dominican Republic. She risked her life to come over here. And now, weāre slowly overcoming poverty here!Ā
She works really hard to make sure everyone in the family is happy, not just herā¦ Sheās a giverā¦ Yeah. Besides her? Elon Musk. If I could make up my own father, Elon Musk would be my father.(Chuckles)
Pebbles:Ā
What is the biggest thing youāve learned from her?
Harold:Ā
From her? Like I said earlier, itās dedicationā¦. She was on a boat, with more people than should be on a boat. Sheās afraid of the ocean. She canāt swim. All of these things! And she still did it.. Because she was determined to make a better life for herself and for her family. She came and had no support, she made friends, she made family. And to create a life like that, all by yourself? I think that would inspire anybody. Iām just lucky enough to have that as a mom, you know?Ā
Pebbles:
So, for you, does feminism have a specific definition?Ā
Harold:Ā
Hmmā¦ I thinkā What is it generally? It is the notion that women and men are on an equal playing field in all aspects of life. That, I agree with. Except biological things, of courseā¦ Itās kind of a varying definition for me because Iāve spoken to women who want equal pay but wonāt open a door for me. Its likeā¦ You canāt…(Chuckles) Sexism is sexismā¦ Men [also] feel so entitled to certain things just for the sole reason that weāre men. And thatās it. I donāt think anyone should feel entitled to anythingā¦ Aside from basic human rights. But, honestly, Iām just rambling. I donāt know if Iām answering the question orā¦ I donāt think I have an answer, which is why Iām rambling. (Laughs)
Pebbles:
Thatās alright! It seems obvious to me, but do you identify as a feminist?Ā
Harold:
Ā I like to, yeah. I feel like I still need to educate myself more. Thereās definitely things that I see more and more often and I get pissed off about. Even in movies, or hearing guys talk about women. You ever hear a guy say, like, āOh, I would sleep with her!ā And I just start thinking, like, ā Bro, Ā would SHE sleep with you?ā (Chuckles) Youāre not asking that question. That question is equally, if not, more importantā¦ Youāre judgingā¦ Like itās only your decision. But itās not trueā¦ [There are] so many things men need to unlearn. Itās easy to say, but hard to do.Ā
Pebbles:
Would you feel the same way, if women simply objectified you and nothing more?Ā
Harold:
ā¦ My aunt was howling out my window at construction workers who were working right beside my window. Saying, ā Hey, cutie!ā And they looked up in disgust… like, āOh my God, who is yelling these things?!ā And its crazy, when a woman will compliment a guy like that, out of nowhere, she must be crazy or something. Something must be wrong with herā¦ Itās like we want women to not want us but only want usā¦ But, yeah, it would bother me if I was seen, for example, Ā like a piece of meat.Ā
Pebbles:
Final random questionā
Harold:
My favorite color is purple!Ā
Pebbles:
(Laughing) No! Okay, Justin Bieber, if you were trapped in your favorite place in the world forever, who would you take with you?Ā
Harold:
Holy crap! That is intense! Because on one level, I know my momās gonna take care of me. On another level, I donāt think she give me the level of physical and emotional support Iām gonna need. (Laughs) And if Iām trapped foreverā¦ Alright. Iām gonna bring a woman that I can start a family with. We could start over! Yeah!Ā
Next week: My brothers, Raphael and Erikson!Ā
I really enjoy getting to know more about my friends and delving into the psyche of the men around me. Hopefully by next week all of my illustrations ill be back on track!
