Minorities are often not seen in positions of leadership, not because of ableism, we too are highly capable, but due to vulnerability and safety, we tend to not take space in leadership. Over the course of these two years, I have become a volunteer within LCF (Latino Community Fund) and have joined them in lobby days at Olympia to speak with legislative district representatives. During my work as a volunteer, I have learned about the advocacy cycle, the importance of House and Senate bills, and, most importantly, have gained precious connections with participants and LCF staff.Â
During this volunteer work, I advocated for the Immigrant Worker Protection Act (HB 2105), the safety of migrants in public spaces (SB 5906), and lastly for millionaire’s tax (SB 3646). I advocated for these bills within the role of storyteller. I shared not only my story as a first-generation student to migrant Mexican parents, but also the greater narrative and discrimination my family and I have faced, all because of their citizen status. Within the meetings with my district representatives from Seattle, and from Kent, I was able to share raw and emotional details from my life of how these issues have always impacted my community. Within this work, we were able to pass the millionaire’s tax. This is one out of two huge wins because those who have higher privileges than common society members are being held accountable for their fair share of their tax bracket.Â
However, the greatest win I have accomplished is having the privilege of working in advocacy with Mr. Guillermo. Mr. Guillermo is a middle-aged, humble, and inspiring elder who works in construction and painting homes with my father. It was at a debrief session after our advocacy cycle had ended for the year that I was able to thank him for his courage and work at the capital. He advocated for the rights of blue-collar workers and testified in the courts of Olympia in front of every district representative in the state. This movement is significant because it was during a time period of uncertainty due to ice patrol, however he still took on the initiative. Therefore, at the debrief we exchanged an emotional encounter because it reminded me of the discrimination I have faced with my father looking at job sites and being treated unfairly because of language barriers I always have to translate for my father. Mr. Guillermo not only advocated for himself, but also for the greater narrative that Mexican-American children face. He was the voice of all hard working fathers just trying to sustain their families. Therefore, as a minority in leadership, I encourage you to take that risk, be the change you want to see, no matter how little or big it may seem.Â