Cristela Alonso

Coming into your power and using it for change.

You know, I think that one of the biggest things for me is really actually putting a face.

to a community that is kind of invisible at times.

I think that by being specific about my life and talking about it in stand-up, it allows others to know that a lot more people have things in common than they are different.

I think that the way that I was most helpful is to help give a narrative that doesn't sound preachy.

I almost believe that I trick people into learning about my community.

Yes, because it depends on the topic that I'm doing, where I'm going.

You know, I'm diabetic.

I'm type 2 diabetic.

So there are certain events that I talk about health and I do a whole thing about being diabetic.

Right.

That's the beginning of this big thing where you talk about how important it is.

to eat better, to take care of yourself, to go to the doctor.

You know, I talk about how, especially with a lot of Latinos, a lot of Mexican-Americans that I grew up with, they find out they're diabetic and it's almost like a fun fact about them.

They don't do anything about it.

You know, they're just like, oh, it turns out I'm diabetic.

It's like, what are you doing?

Oh, it was nothing.

You're just like, it's so weird.

You're supposed to try.