Every One Included

Oh where do I start? Do I begin with how my parents are both from Mexico who have obtained citizenship here in the US. Where I would then be born in Arizona a stated very well close to Mexico. Growing up I learned everything I know about our government in school. It was a boring topic for me so it was more like a chore to read the social studies book that we were given. My parents not very knowledgeable about how government works they never talked about politics or at all taught my brother or I about what rights were or how they applied to them or to us. I can say that because the lack of these topics in our household the more I really didn't care about it growing up. The Presidents I have lived through as a kid didn't mean anything to my parents and even much less for me.

It wasn't until yep, I turned 18 and I can say I was absolutely ignorant as to what registering to vote meant. Why? lol I don't recall my parents voting while I was growing up but, now as I am an adult and I have learned so many things along the way I have now made a clear picture for them as to why they should be voting as they do now in their older years.

I really think there is a disconnection with how we perceive ourselves in this country. In my experience and from talking to my parents on why they never talked about what voting was or about our government. My dad simply said we were just humbled to be citizens and to live a decent life that we didn't want to ask for more or feel like we were taking advantage of the country that gave us an opportunity. Well how about that? I asked well, why did you and mom never advance in your positions. He said "Mija we just work and we are grateful we're not educated like that to be in any other positions"

My dad said once when he was a cook that he asked his manager at the time if he could apply for the open supervisor position and the manager looked at him and said you simply "don't qualify". He then told me that since that one decline it was clear that Mexicans don't advance in the US. Now that had me thinking and perhaps made alot of sense as to why many latinos may or may not be involved in voting or rising up to make a change for our communities. There is a lot of disconnect a lot of misinformation and yes alot of fear.

At 18 I registered to vote but I didn't that year because I didn't even know what party I was supposed to go to lol was I bringing the beer or just showing up? haha yea that's how it went for me. As I got older and became my responsible self I decided to read and boy was I just dumbfounded as to how ignorant I was as a citizen of the US. Trying to explain this to my parents though was a challenge to even convince them. Anyhow before the pandemic I used to participate in volunteering for different organizations however since this pandemic its been hard to volunteer with anything however there is an organization that I have read about and believe they have the abilities to get the knowledge and word about the importance of voting in the latino communities it is called One Arizona. They are driven to bring awareness in regards to immigrant rights, voting rights, human rights and so much more. They have a mission that is worth every penny to get the people of Arizona involved.

As a mother now in my life I do talk to my children about our government. We have discussions about current happenings and how we think we can change these issues. My two oldest are both registered and yes I see how they understand current events and how they understand how voting makes a difference in our world today. They both will be voting for their first time this year. I have two younger children who ask questions and if I don't have the answer I will read and learn about the topic they are asking. As a mother Its my job to teach and advance my children to be prepared for this world. As so for all of our people. We need to encourage and educate as well participate in all that has to do with how our existence is strengthened.

To learn more about One Arizona and the organizations they partner with visit their website. One Arizona they are also open to donations.