Migdonia Carerro
ANNOTATIONS
TRANSCRIPT
Interview conducted by Scott Gurian
Interview conducted in 2018
Transcription by Kether Tomkins
My name is Migdonia Carrero. I was born in Puerto Rico. I came to this country in 1969, and I grew up here in Newark. Got married, got four children, raised them up– It wasn’t easy. My first marriage didn’t work out, second one either, so I had to do it on my own. So ever since, I raised up my kids. Now I’ve got twelve grandkids [laughs]. Not easy, but I enjoy them anyway.
I struggled with trying to do some type of career, which never worked out. I’m still struggling. I had a little experience with the medical field. I had experience with fashion and design. I got to go to New York for it. I couldn’t accomplish it, having difficulty. Also I’m involved with the guitar. I love the guitar, but wasn’t able to accomplish. And after a while, I took care of my great-niece for five years, she was on life support. And after that, then my sister took over. She took care of her, and then my nephew. That was my nephew’s daughter. And finally when she was nineteen, she passed away, but she had a good life with the family. And then I decided to go back to school and try to get something done with my life. And this is my stage right now, working on my GED to see if I can accomplish one of these goals that I like.
I want to come back to a lot of that, but let’s start at the very beginning. How old are you now?
I’m 61.
Where did you grow up?
Grew up on Second Avenue in Mount Prospect. That’s in Newark.
But you were actually born in–
I was born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. Yabucoa, Puerto Rico until I was eleven years old. When I was eleven, then I traveled here.
Why did your family come here?
My family wanted something better for me. My mother and my father brought me here and took me to school I guess to have a better life. You know? For us to study. Unfortunately, then my father and my mother broke up and things went downhill [laughs]. I have two sisters and two brothers. And we didn’t accomplish no careers, but we’re hanging on– we’re still hanging on.
And do you remember what that time was like when you came from Puerto Rico to here?
It was exciting for me because I wanted to learn English. I barely spoke English at the time, and I would do anything to speak English, so when we started going to school, I picked it up quick. And from there, I just went on.
Was it hard to make that transition, moving here? Leaving behind your friends?
[We left behind our] family also. But we were excited to come because Puerto Rico was– we didn’t have so many resources, you know, at the time. And another thing is that my father and my mother always wanted to come to the United States for some reason. And I was curious also to see what was down here [laughs] and I liked it! I like the snow, I like the weather– I don’t like to play with the snow because it’s cold, but I like the snow– it’s nice.
Why did they come to the Mount Prospect neighborhood?
I guess this is the area where they knew somebody here in Newark. Also my father’s sister used to live in Elizabeth. But this was the area where they knew other people.
And were you the oldest?
I’m the oldest and proud. I’m number one [laughs].
And what was it like where you grew up in Newark?
In Newark, growing up at the beginning it was– it was okay. But then I started seeing like the drugs coming in, the dealing and the drug addicts and, oh wow– It started messing up– it started messing up. I remember when my brothers started using drugs, they were like fifteen, sixteen and everything started changing. But then after that we were just going to school and trying to pursue some type of career or finish school, but it was hard to do. It was hard because my mother was also struggling with all of us. You know, three girls and two boys. And she did what she could. Because when you don’t have too much schooling or stuff like that, it’s not too far you can go.
Did your mom ever work?
My mom? No. Most of the time she was in the house. But after my father left, after a while, then she started working. She worked for about five or six years. Then she started getting sick, and she didn’t work no more.
What did she do?
She was working in a company where they have perfumes, I think. Colognes and perfumes. She only worked one time in that place and that was it. She’s a church-going person. She just loved to stay home and watch her kids. Do whatever it takes to take care of them.
So she had five kids. And then her husband—your father—left when you were how old?
I was about fifteen, sixteen. Cause I got married when I was seventeen [laughs]. Yeah–
You kind of cringed when you said that.
Yeah! I was too young to get married, and I guess I wanted to rush and get out of the house [laughs] but it didn’t work out. I guess that’s why when we start doing things wrong and choose the wrong path and make the wrong decisions maybe– things don’t work out so good.
How did you meet your first husband?
Honestly, it was [through] my sister’s boyfriend [laughs]. I had, how do you say this– you know those like, when you’re running for queen or something– pageant? It was in the church.
Like a fashion contest or something?
It was like a contest and I came out in second place.
You were in it?
Yeah, I was in it, and I needed somebody to go to the dance with me. And my sister’s boyfriend said “I’ve got an uncle, and he’s single,” [laughs] and that’s how we met. And he went with me.
And how long did you know him before you got married?
About three months. So that was too quick. You know, we needed more time. It’s like when you’re cooking something, if you don’t let it cook completely [laughs] you can’t eat it or else something’ll come out wrong, spoiled.
Were you still in high school at the time?
Yes, I was just finishing my 9th grade of high school.
So freshman year?
Yeah, ninth grade. I didn’t even get my diploma or anything like that. I just left quick to get married. That’s a very crazy idea, [laughs] I believe. But like I said, you can’t bring it back. So I’m just trying to make it a little better for me now that I’m by myself.
And you said part of the reason you got married was because you wanted to get out of the house?
Yes.
Why was that?
Because I guess it was too crowded. My sisters, my brothers– My mother was struggling hard, and so maybe I just needed to get out– and I did.
So where did you move with your husband?
We moved to an apartment.
And you were seventeen. How old was he?
He was twenty-one.
Did he have a job?
Yes, he was a very responsible man. He used to work in a company. I’m pretty sure a lot of people know this company. It’s Quaker. It used to be in Elizabeth. The oatmeal. You know those cookies that they used to make over there?
They used to make them in Elizabeth? I didn’t know that.
Oh yes! It’s no longer existing. I don’t know if they moved it to someplace else, but it’s not there anymore.
He was twenty-one. So he had finished high school by then?
Yeah, he had finished. He even went to the army. I think it was to the army or one of those branches. I don’t know. [Laughs]
So he was working. Were you just kind of a housewife? What did you do?
Exactly. Just stay home in the house.
Did you ever consider working? I mean, what was the relationship like in the marriage? Was he expecting you to stay home?
I don’t know. Can you believe? In those days, I was taught by my mom that women were supposed to stay home, just having children, taking care of children, the husband, and the house. That’s how I grew up– but now I see that everything is different, so I’m making changes on my own.
I guess cause you left high school, there was never any thought of going to college? Or– your husband didn’t go to college either, right?
No, I was just raising my children. See, right after we got married, I got pregnant. I had my first child, then my second child, and then we got separated. Then I got remarried– or not remarried. I just started living with somebody. I didn’t get married again. Then I had two more children by him.
Do you remember when you were young– did you ever have any thoughts of what you wanted to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be a teacher. That was my first thought, but then I discovered the music. And I leaned more to the guitar. That’s what I got in my house. I got my guitar, and every now and then I play and look at the tones and try to get some new tones and learn more.
But it’s difficult because I got too much on my plate still, you know? And, whether we like it or not, in the Spanish community, usually the children think you have to stay with mom and dad forever [laughs] you know. They want to be with you all the time, and you need a break. You know, sometimes you need a break, and it’s hard. But they need to learn how to take responsibility for their own lives. I see a lot of Spanish people’s happening the same thing. Their kids stay behind them forever. I mean, I know that’s how it’s supposed to be. You know, you keep in touch with your kids. But after you finish raising your kids, you’re going to raise your grandkids and then all the time staying with them there. They have to learn responsibility and take it in their own hands because when Mami’s not here, they have to learn to take care on their own. It’s hard, but it happens like that. That’s what I see a lot, you know, in the community around. A whole bunch of kids, a whole bunch of kids. Everybody’s having kids, everybody’s having kids and not thinking about the education and having a career, you know, which is very important. If you want to have a lot of kids, it’s ok, but make sure they can have a career, you know, that you can bring them up right. It’s not happening, and it’s hard. And for those who are working on it, it’s been very difficult, very difficult.
You said you had two younger brothers who both involved with drugs and then you also had two sisters.
My sisters, they each had to do the same responsibility, so they just took care of the kids, just like me.
Are your sisters struggling financially?
Yes, yes we all are. It’s like when– how can I explain this– it’s like when something doesn’t start right, I guess it’s like everything kind of crumbles, you know, and follows for the next one and for the next one. It’s hard, it’s really hard. No matter what you do, when you don’t have guidance, or somebody that’s strong and can lead you and help you to guide you, it’s hard. It’s not easy.
And what was it in your case, and in the case of your sisters, that started out not being right?
We got married too young.
All three of you did?
All of us. Too young. Too young.
And none of your marriages ended up lasting? All three of you got divorced?
That’s correct, unfortunately. But we’re fighters. We’re still here– we’re still here.
Did your sisters finish school, either of them?
[Laughs] No, neither one. The farthest they went was– I think to ninth also. None of them finished. My kids didn’t finish either. They all went up to ten or twelve. That was about it.
So you had your first marriage. It ended after three years, you said. How long after that did you say you met your second husband?
I met my second husband, I think two years later, I believe, or one year. I’m not sure.
Okay, and how did you meet him? What did he do?
We met in a party. At the time, he was a self-employee selling t-shirts and things like that. But then he got involved also with drugs [laughs] so you know why I’m single now [laughs]. So, I guess bad choice. Well, let me not say that– not bad choice. It just happened. I didn’t know he was going to come out like that.
So then you had four kids to raise on your own?
Yes.
And how old were they at that point?
At the time, well– I believe it was seven, ten, or twelve, you know. They were too young. And the little one was about two years old, you know.
And what was it like raising these kids then on your own?
I love kids. Even though we were struggling, it was enjoyable. And you know how sometimes moms look at the kids and let me see who’s uglier [laughs]. All my kids were beautiful and happy and chubby and healthy. They were okay kids, you know.
And how did you raise them, financially? Did you go out and get a job at that point?
No, no. Unfortunately, I had to– How do you say that word? Choose to take benefits from the government, and that’s what I did. Raised my kids with government help.
You couldn’t get a job because you needed to be there for them?
Yes! Because who was going to take care of my kids? My mother wasn’t going to take care of my kids, and I didn’t have nobody, and I didn’t trust nobody because, you know, it’s hard to trust somebody with kids. In those days it was bad, but now it’s worse. It’s really bad.
And your sisters had their own kids to take care of.
Oh, yeah! Everybody had to do their own thing. Tried to work it out somehow.
So raising the kids, at a certain point, I guess they started running into trouble as they got older?
I think when [they were] in seventh, eighth grade, they started getting into a little trouble. And then they started liking girls, so each one got their own partner, but they didn’t get married. They were just living together with somebody, you know. And my oldest son, may he rest in peace, he had two–
He had two kids?
Twins. My son was about twenty or something like that when he had his kids. Yeah, and then my second child, he had four kids, you know. Then my daughter just had two, and my youngest son, one.
Do you remember when they said they were going to drop out of school or were not going to graduate?
I can’t remember very well what was the reason. Sometimes I think it’s because I was struggling with them, and they couldn’t have a good guidance to go on or– something like that. I couldn’t afford a lot of things for them, you know, and maybe they see that they need this and that they need that and they see that mom cannot get it for them, so they was probably trying to get it– some other way.
You think they were like you when you were that age, kind of wanting to get out of the house?
Yeah, it’s like– the same role keeps happening and happening, and it’s happening now with my grandkids.
How old are your grandkids now?
The oldest one is nineteen or twenty. The youngest one is eight years old.
You said you feel like you made some mistakes looking back, that you got married too early, and there’s certain things you did– When you were raising your kids, did you have that at the back of your mind? Like, “I want to make sure that maybe they do things a little bit differently?”
I don’t know. I think that everybody’s different, and I had the thought of them to have a good education and go to school, but I was like, I just have to raise them up. That was my duty, just to raise them up. That’s what I had in my mind. Make them ready to go to school, make sure that they go to school every day, help them with their homework, and make sure that they pass grade. That was it. It’s like, I didn’t really have in my mind to pursue the college thing and stuff like that. I don’t know why, but it was not there. But I would’ve done it different now if that was the point, you know. I would have done it different. At the time, it didn’t happen.
I’m just wondering, as a mother, if you were concerned when you heard your kids were going to leave high school, they weren’t going to get their degree.
Oh, yes, I was very angry. I was very angry. They got together also with some companies that misled them a little bit, and my first child– he got involved with some people that were dealing with drugs, and unfortunately he ended up in jail. But, as the way I was raised up, they give you tough lessons. I said “No, you’re going to stay in there because you’re going to learn your lesson.” And I let him stay in there. But thank God it was the first and last time. He never fell in jail again, you know, so I think it worked. I heard a story about one of the judges, Judge Matthew, that his mother did the same thing and that taught him a lesson. He’s a judge now.
How long was your son in jail?
Not too long. It wasn’t something really bad, but it’s bad enough to be in there already.
So your four kids– they all kind of left and you were kind of on your own at that point when they all moved out, I guess?
Yeah.
Yeah. How long ago was that?
It was around the year 2010-12, around there. And then around ‘12, that’s when my oldest child passed away, 2012, so I can’t– I can’t forget that number. But now, temporarily, they don’t have a place to stay so they stay in my house now.
They don’t have a place because they’ve been struggling financially, as well?
They’re still struggling financially, yep. Wow, [laughs] it’s hard right? The way it sounds. But still standing. I say still standing and putting my faith in God, you know?
So they didn’t finish school, but did they get any kind of job training?
Fortunately, one of my kids, he’s very good at carpentry. We call him my genius son because whatever he cannot fix, nobody can fix [laughs]. It’s like a joke because he’s always fixing everything. He’s a very good carpenter. That I have to assure you. The other one was more like the mechanic. And then my daughter– she’s just taking care of her kids right now and working here and there a little bit, you know, because the same thing that happened to me is happening to her now. She cannot take a job because she don’t got nobody who can take care of the children, and she has to see what kind of job she can get because she has to come out and pick up the kids to school and, you know, so on, and so on. So that’s what’s going on there.
So after your kids moved out, what have you done since then?
My nephew started going out with a very young girl at a very young age, and they weren’t responsible enough to take care of this child that they had. And I had to take custody of this child. Another one. And I took care of her for five years. She was a very special, special child. I was trained to take care of her because she was born with Werdnig-Hoffmann disease. It means she has no movement of the muscles and she had to be on life support for life and she had to eat through a G-tube, you know. I had her five years, so that’s five years of my life that I took care of her.
And then after that, that’s when I thought– I said, “Well, let me see, I’m going to have to do something.” And I went and took a short course [to become a] home health aide. Then I started getting arthritis and I was getting weak and stuff like that and I just couldn’t go on. Then I decided to stay in the house and work as a caregiver for children. Same thing. Arthritis in my hands, and I couldn’t go on with the responsibility and I stopped that too. And then I was just staying home, taking care of myself, my health, and then when I started feeling better, I said “I have to go back and try my GED,” and some type of course or some type of work. So I got in this program Urban League, where they have people from fifty-five and older in job training, and this is where I am now. I’m working on that. Because I’m interested in the health field. Phlebotomy because I like to draw blood [laughs] and either EKG and X-Ray. You know, they usually give you like a few certificates for something else, so I’m working on that. And my music on the side.
Has it been hard all these years– like you’ve taken care of kids and then grandkids and then your nephew’s daughter and I’m sure people really love you for all you’ve done, but do you feel like you’ve been able to live your own life?
Yeah! Yeah, that is so true. I feel like I missed something. I missed something. [The thing that gives my life meaning is] the enjoyment of the music. But I don’t know if it’s going to happen someday. I don’t know if one day you’re going to see me like– singing or something like that [laughs] just letting it out. Sometimes you have to just let it out. That’s it. Doesn’t matter how it comes out, but it comes out [laughs].
You’ve always been interested in music since you were very young?
Ah, yes! I was 11 years old when I started. They had a program down on Broad Street in Newark. They had a program there, and in 1969 when I came to this country, I started taking guitar lessons there. But it was like I said, you know– When you don’t have somebody to guide or lead you or if they start and leave you halfway, you stay hanging, you know. It’s hard to go on.
When you were growing up, did your mother– I know she was struggling a lot herself–
Yeah–
But if you said “Oh, I’m really interested in music,” did she support you in this?
I think we never talked about it. We were always so busy with the life that we were living that– I don’t know, it’s kind of like we didn’t really think about pursuing something that we really liked. We just got married, have kids, and take care of them, you know. That’s how it was.
So, looking back over the years, like your financial situation, you’ve kind of always been struggling somewhat?
Yes!
Do you have difficulty paying bills? Or what kinds of things?
Yeah, because the little money that’s coming in is not enough to cover everything. So, a lot of struggling. A lot of struggling.
And you say the little money that’s coming in– so where has money come in from? Public benefits?
Yeah, public benefits. Because I wasn’t making no extra money or I didn’t have nobody who can give me some, or I don’t have a wealthy uncle or a wealthy dad. It was like that.
And you’re living in Belleville now?
I live in Belleville now.
When did you move there?
In 2010.
What brought you there?
I found an apartment there. I went to visit somebody, and when I looked to the side, to the other house, I saw a sign and I asked if they are renting it, and they say yeah. I went to spoke to the landlord. And I liked it there, and I stayed there ever since. Very nice area, I like it.
Could you maybe give me some examples of how you’re struggling economically? What sorts of things do you have difficulty paying for?
Oh, the basics. The phone bills, especially the light and gas because that bill costs too high. At least I’m able to deal with my car because, you know, you can’t go anywhere without gas. You have to put gas almost every day. What else– I don’t even have cable because I cannot afford it. I don’t even have a computer in my house. But, yeah, the most basic things are hard. Sometimes, like if you want to buy personal stuff— your clothing, your shoes, everything— you know, it’s hard. And now every little thing is a lot of money– They ask you a lot.
What about paying for food?
Well, we get the food stamps from the government also, so that’s another thing. If I run out of food, then I have to go to the food pantry. But, like I said, if it was for myself I don’t struggle much. Like right now, at my age, at this state, I wouldn’t struggle that much. But when you want to help your grandkids and others, the little money you have goes away [laughs] quicker, you know. But that’s my life.
How often would you say you go to the food pantry?
Well, since I’m in this program now, I barely go. When I was full-time in the house, then I wasn’t going anywhere, I used to go like, twice a month.
You said since you were in this program. Which program?
I’m in the Urban League. It’s for people who are fifty-five and over. It’s a program where they give you job training and they give you the opportunity [to develop] more skills. If you have higher skills, you can even go to college and finish whatever you want to finish. I mean, you’re not that young anymore, but if you’ve still got the heart to do it, if you want to, you will.
And you said you haven’t had to go to the food pantry since you’ve been there?
No, because I buy my own food, because they pay you. They pay me now, so it’s like I’m getting a salary every two weeks, you know, and that will help me out.
And what about healthcare?
Healthcare? Yes, I do have– what do you call it– UnitedHealthcare– I think it’s Medicaid, yeah. I do have that. Thank God I don’t get that sick anymore, but it covers, at least for the basic health physicals that you have to do like every year or every two or three years. That’s about it.
Are there ever times where the money that you have through like public benefits and the little bit you’re making now– are there ever times where it’s not enough? Like, do you ever have to talk to friends or family and ask for a personal loan or anything?
I don’t ask nobody. Honest to God, I deal with what I have. That’s me. I just can’t see myself asking nobody for money.
So, kind of a dignity thing.
Yes. I just can’t. I’d rather deal with whatever I have and try to stretch it to the most important things that I have to pay and whatever I don’t have, I’ll deal with it. I’ll figure it out, yep.
And, do you have any savings? Like, if there was ever an emergency or something?
I can never save nothing! I can never save nothing. How can I save? It’s hard. Even the last penny goes. That’s how bad it is. I hope there is not an emergency.
Yeah. Is this very stressful at times, I imagine?
It is. Now that you mention it, at one point, I was so stressed, I stayed in my house for about a year barely doing anything. I was so stressed that all I watched on TV was Steve Harvey. He was the only one who kept me entertained, getting my mind off things. It was going very bad. It was going very bad. But at the end, when you have a faith in God, that little seed inside tells you, “Get up. You have to do something. You can’t stay like this. This is not you. And you’re not sick.” It was like– it was a fake sick. You know, I was sick, like something was drowning me down, but it wasn’t really me. I was deep inside me saying, “This is not me. I’m not sick!” You know? So I got up. One day, I just got up and I prayed to God and I said, “I ain’t drinking no more pills. I don’t need this.” And I struggled for a little while– but I got out of it. And I never went back to the pills or medications. And I feel so much better. I can even run. Before, I couldn’t even run. And I can run [laughs].
When you’re feeling really stressed or depressed or something, do you have anyone you can speak to?
As a matter of fact– God. I just speak to God. It’s hard to find somebody to speak to. Like right now, I’m just spilling my guts out here because yesterday I needed to talk to someone and I couldn’t. It’s very hard– so. I’m not going to give up. I’m not going to give up. I’m still standing. That’s what I always say, “I’m still standing.”
And I tell my grandkids, “Shame on you when you don’t want to do something for yourself because– no excuses that my father died or my mother died or I don’t have money.” If you don’t have money, get up and find it. Find a way to work and get it, because right now you are so disrespectful to me, and all of you are depending on me right now. Shame on you because I should be depending on you or you should be helping me, you know? Right now, too many of you are relying on me, and that’s not fair. It’s not fair.
Right now, one of my sisters, she is so involved with her kids and her grandkids. It’s like what I’m going through right now. My mother went through, also. So the story– keeps repeating, repeating. I wanted her to do something different, you know, to see if this can stop. I told her, “This has got to stop right now. For the next generation that comes, everybody has to be independent.”
So we’ve spent all this time talking about your childhood, and your memories, coming here from Puerto Rico and growing up, and your marriages, and everything. Now that you're older and you kind of see how things turned out and you look back at your life, are there any words of advice you'd give to your younger self if you could go in a time machine?
[Laughs] Don't get married young. Wait and finish school– When you're young, you're not going to think like that, but that would be good advice, to finish school. Try to fight and lose your fears, because sometimes fears hold you back and probably don't let you think. But try to fight with everything you have to get to where you want to go. So don't give up. Don't live your dream for nobody or for nothing.
Is there something you think you know now that you wish you knew then when you were younger?
Make decisions without fear. Don’t be afraid to make decisions. Because before I was like, I’m afraid to do this, I’m afraid to do that, and why did I start this and never finish? I always had fears. And, you know, my father was always so strict. When you have strict parents, you have fear to go on.
You were afraid of trying new things.
Yes! And I tried a lot of things, because I took a course also for fashion and design that I went to school for in New York, for the home health aide, the child caregiver career, I was going to start my own business in the house– I don't know why is it that I start something and I cannot accomplish it, you know? But this time, when I was in that deep depression and I said, "No, I have to get up." That's when I said, "No, I have to do something." And I'm still struggling, but I'm still standing and I'm not giving up. Even if I die trying [laughs] but I'm not going to give up.
So what gives you hope? What keeps you going?
What keeps me going? I believe it's the anxiety to finish something. I cannot stay without doing anything. Even if it's to help do something for somebody, I have to do something.
In real kind of concrete terms, what would make you happier? What would help your situation to improve?
To have a good job, and pursue my music, you know. With music, you feel happy, you make other people happy. It's your soul, mind, and body. I think music is everything. I didn't have that chance to pursue it, but it's still there. When I listen to music, I come alive [laughs] I come alive.
What kind of music do you want to play?
I like mixed music, like Spanish and English. I grew up with both. I admire a lot Marc Anthony, that's salsa music. And I admire a lot of Christmas music and Christian music, love songs and romantic music– I love it, I love it.
In a perfect world where would you be and what would you like to be doing maybe 5 years from now?
Oh my God [laughs] singing playing music [laughs] maybe [laughs]. Who knows?
And it’s your faith that really gives you the strength?
Oh, yes, yes. Without faith, you're lost.
Do you feel like there are enough resources around if you need help? I mean, you're getting, job training now, which is good, but then for any other kinds of help that you need, are there enough like resources out there?
I'm not so sure about that. Maybe there is, but not too many people know about it. I'm pretty sure there's a lot of programs out there [that haven’t been well publicized]. That's probably why people haven’t got the help that they need. Because when you don't have the right resources or the right information in your hands, it doesn’t get to you. Maybe we need more programs. I see those people in the street that are homeless, have no place to live. Why can't the government do something about that? I'm sure there's a lot of funds that they probably misuse and don’t use for the right purpose of other people's lives to be safe. You know? I wish there would be more programs that whenever somebody doesn't have a place to stay or some food to eat, a place to take a shower, that right in that moment when they need it, they can have it. I mean, we're asking so many questions, like you have to have your social security number, you have to have this, you have to fill out this. Just help them at the moment and then see what else they need.
In your own experience with what you've gone through, is there a certain kind of help that you wish was more available or certain resources for different things? I guess you wish there were free music classes, [laughs] I suppose.
That's one good point right there! Because everywhere that I have gone, I never could find programs for pursuing music or dancing. I'm pretty sure there should be art schools out there, but you have to pay. For people who don't have those resources, where can you go? Where can you go? So that's why for people that like music or art in any type of way, it's hard. You have to struggle hard before you can get to the top.
Thank you very much for your time. I really appreciate it, and best of luck to you.