Looking at my early educational years, I didn’t have a lot of BIPOC educators. In elementary school all of my teachers were white. In middle school, I had only three BIPOC teachers out of my three years there. One Indian woman, one black woman, and one hispanic woman. Then in high school, I only had one black male teacher. It wasn't until the most recent year and up until this point while writing this that I realized how much of an issue this was. And this issue is still prevalent in not only our education system, but in the government as well.
Yesterday at Kean University, the Office of Government Affairs and Community Partnerships hosted Hispanic Heritage Town Hall: Honoring Our Roots & Building Tomorrow’s Success.
I knew about this event via a school email I received this past Monday. I decided to register because I saw it as an opportunity to learn more about my roots and want to utilize every resource there is to listen to people who share the same cultural background as me. I would be lying if I didn't mention I also saw this as an opportunity for a decent story.
The event was from 10-1 pm and I knew there were going to be some influential NJ leaders speaking such as keynote speaker Senator Teresa Ruiz (D-29). I went in just looking to grab quotes from speakers and laugh about some commonalities all Hispanics share. I didn’t expect to leave with such inspiration and appreciation as I did.
I walked in the middle of Senator Teresa Ruiz speaking. And although I didn't capture her full speech, the parts that I did moved me. Where she grabbed my attention was her saying that she is Boricua. This is why representation matters. Her saying this, allowed me to feel more comfortable in a room filled mainly with adults. I felt as if I belonged there. More than just a student at Kean University, but as someone who was Boricua since before I even stepped foot on this earth.
She told us to "lean into love". This is not something typically said by politicians and can seem radical to some. Her saying this caught my attention. Growing up my mother and father always told me to be kind and let love lead the way. Because of this, I was able to see past cultural differences and have a drive for community service. Senator Ruiz shared how leaning into love has led her to be the power house she is in government. No wonder she has been re-elected five times! Senator Ruiz became the first Puerto Rican elected to the Senate in 2007. This position she holds didn't come easily but through hard work and perseverance and because of this she has shown fellow Boricua's like myself, that we can do anything even hold a seat in the Senate.
Along with Senator Ruiz, the Director of External Affairs PSEG, Sara Pena, spoke. She was Kean University's, formally known as Kean College at the time of her enrollment, the first Latina cheerleader.
One thing I liked about this event was how there was a Q & A portion. I was able to ask Director Pena the following question: "What has been the best advice someone has given you through the adversity you faced to get where you are now in your career?" She said that it was to "believe in yourself".
Believing in yourself can be challenging especially when you are working to have status in a higher position and no one there looks like you. Questions of whether you are supposed to be there and if you can even do the job despite all your knowledge can begin to flood your mind. This is why representation matters. It emphasizes the fact that you are not alone in your journey. That whatever is accessible to your neighbor can also be accessible to you despite cultural differences.
Director Pena also said that her "faith in God" played a huge part in her success.
I find similarity in this because it was my faith in God that led me to Kean University after two transfers. I finally feel like I have a sense of belonging. That I am in the right place that will help me grow in my professionalism, education, and overall wellness. These thoughts were validated by attending this event. What also validated my thoughts in choosing the right institution was eating a beef empanada by Unity Cafe. Honestly the second best beef empanada I ever had, my mother's being first of course!
Listening to these community leaders at my school who share the same cultural background as me, made me grateful that my university knows the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month. Kean has shown how meaningful it is for students to be able to hear inspirational stories and conquer the rest of their class packed day with an attitude of confidence. Confidence that not only can they can do anything but that because of their Hispanic roots, they are just as deserving as holding positions in power to curate change as anyone else.
This is why representation matters.
Graduate Assistant to the Office of Government and Community Partnerships, Felipe Peralta, ended the event by sharing something his mother always told him. And it's something I find most fitting to end this blog post with:
"Si Se Puede!"
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