Julio Rodriguez was six years old when he and his parents came to America from Cuba, and what he remembers most about that move is that it was scary and cold. Scary because he hadn’t seen his parents as much as usual before the move as they were busy selling their possessions to have some money when they arrived. And cold because it was December 2004 and Louisville had just had a winter storm.

“In Cuba it’s tropical with flowers everywhere and the heat. And we get here, bare bones not even a jacket, and it’s snowing and everything is iced over. And I said to my parents, ‘Why? Why did we leave? Where is the family?’”

Julio laughs when he talks about being bullied as an elementary and middle school student, but then adds, “kids are ruthless.” He said he and other students from Cuba tended to stick together, and that his life got better when he made friends with an American student whose family was originally from Cuba, who helped him.

“Other kids would tell me to ‘Go say this to the teacher, it means I like dogs.’ But that was not at all what it meant. My friend helped me, told me what to say, what not to say, and helped me understand what other kids were actually saying and intending.”

Since then, Julio has come to love his new Kentucky home, even though he thinks of returning to Cuba “all the time.” He likes to hike at Jefferson Memorial Forest, but only in the winter because “it’s a tick fest in the summer.” And he loves to eat at Hibachi grills and where he can watch the cooks prepare the meal, and he chops his hands enthusiastically in the air as he says so.

His number-one hobby is computer programming and creating 3-D art and animation on his computer using Blender software. Eventually, he says he may try his hand at creating NFTs. He also likes to tie-dye denim jackets and is an avid reader of the Japanese graphic novels, manga. Manga refers to comics originally published in Japan that have a style similar to—but not the same as—anime. Unlike publications in America, the books read from right to left, and the panels on the pages read in a non-linear format.

Julio is an accountant like his mom, and, together, they established a small business doing taxes, primarily for people who speak English as a second language. At Catholic Charities, Julio works as a migrants and refugees grant accountant. What he likes most about that is the chance to help migrants and refugees “because I was once in that spot. Now that I’m working here at Catholic Charities I feel like I am doing something for those that were just like me once.”

What he enjoys most about America is the people, the food, and the diversity of cultures. “Something I like about living in the United States is that there’s just a melting pot of cultures and races and the fact that we can all learn to love each other in one way or another,” he said. “It’s just a really good feeling of inclusivity.”

CAPTIONS:
Julio and his parents shorting after settling in Louisville.
Julio and his mom at his college graduation.
Julio’s PC … what??
Julio’s pup, Luna Lovegood, of course.
A sampling of Julio’s manga collection.