Jenet Dibble

Background

About Jenet Dibble

I am from a house with a tin roof that glistens in the hot, Malaysian sun and makes music when the rain falls during the long monsoon months. I am from climbing fences and finding wiggly worms In the belly of lush green moss. I am from a house surrounded by mango, starfruit, and papaya trees, sugarcane and scallions, and wild mint that Ma uses to make my brother’s favorite soup. I am from the hawking of wonton noodles, sweet banana-leaf cakes and durian popsicles, children running after vendors in rickety trishaws their voices hoarse from daylong songs. I am from memories suspended in time. I am from Cantopop on Spotify and running on the Bridle Path, dust-covered sneakers and sweat-drenched t-shirts face flushed red. I am from masks-disposable and reusable, greeting friends from a distance forced to lean away from children, most unnatural for a teacher. I am from teachers who love teaching and learning teach children to love learning, for relationship building and generous listening, empathy and kindness go a long way.