Students have power with their voices when it comes to advocacy, according to City College English professor and equity coordinator Jesus Limon.
As part of Undocumented Student Action Week, nearly 30 City College students attended a student panel Oct. 15 hosted by Limon in where students discussed their experiences of being undocumented and provided students information about a future Washington, D.C., trip hosted by the Hispanic Association of College and Universities.
“This topic is important to me because I was an undocumented student,” said Limon. “We have a large population of students that need advocacy and support. These students have great potential and are contributing members of our society, and I want to empower them and make sure they have all the resources they need.”
The student panel consisted of three City College students who attended the HACU Washington trip in 2018. Among them was former City College student Susana Barraza, a first-generation college student who came back with an internship with the Congressional Hispanic Leadership. She plans to return to Washington in December.
“One of the most surprising things about this trip was discovering there is a whole other world outside of Sacramento,” said Barraza. “I never thought something like the East Coast existed because I was never told about these opportunities.”
The weeklong trip gives students the opportunity to explore the Washington Monument, the White House and the Smithsonian museum, according to Limon. While in Washington, students will also have the opportunity to attend a conference at the White House to disscuss student advocacy for undocumented students.
Limon said he hopes participating in the trip and the panel will help students build confidence within themselves.
“When the moment calls you, you’ll never know how much courage lives inside of your heart,” said Limon. “Students have so much power with their voice once it’s explored. Students should experience the power of their advocacy and continue to build it and fulfill a purpose in their own lives and their community.
Barraza believes that even students who don’t travel to Washington can still be allies to the cause.
“Students of color need to be a part of this because it affects our everyday life and our communities,” said Barraza. “Being involved in your community is a great way to support.”
The next trip to Washington, D.C., will be April 18 to April 24, 2020. The application deadline is Oct. 22. To submit an application for the trip, visit http://dctrip.sandracamarena.com/
