"My father's Puerto Rican heritage played a significant role in my desire to create Transient. Although Puerto Ricans do not have to obtain citizenship, they do have an immigrant-like experience when moving to the U.S. I've witnessed many occasions when my father has been discriminated against due to the color of his skin. Immigrants are seen as the 'other' in this country. I consider my father (and ultimately myself) as 'other' too."