Our Activist Profile series highlights RaisingVoicesUSA members who have found their path to civic engagement by raising their voice for the issues they’re most passionate about.
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Issue/Cause:
Equitable public education, criminal justice reform, universal health care, and others
What was your first experience as an activist and what brought you to that cause?
My first experience as an activist was advocating for an equitable, democratic, and child-centered public education system through my writings, public speeches, and protests (this, of course, continues today). Starting off, I had long felt that millions of children were being denied an education that championed their creativity and curiosity and attended to the whole child: children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. I believed that I could add a unique voice to the conversation around education reform, which lacked bold, transformative solutions.
What initiative are you most proud of?
I’ve been proud of the fact that I have exposed members of the public to injustices in our society and also offered them a vision for a more humane, peaceful country and world. My writings and speeches, in particular, have inspired young people to take charge of their education, get involved in the political process, and realize that collectively, they have tremendous power.
What projects are you working on now?
I’m an adjunct professor at New York University. I teach a Sociology of Education course for incarcerated students at Wallkill Correctional Facility, who are working towards their Associate’s Degree from NYU. For my PhD studies, I am conducting ethnographic fieldwork on public education in Philadelphia. Additionally, I’m an activist and public speaker fighting for equitable public education, universal health care, tuition-free public colleges and universities, Green New Deal, ending mass incarceration, and in general, economic, political, and racial justice.
What advice would you give to someone raising their voice for the first time?
I think it’s important to have a firm understanding of the issues you are advocating for. Do lots of research. Read books, newspapers, magazines, and/or scholarly articles. Consult policymakers, teachers, and peers. Having a base of knowledge will strengthen your arguments and ultimately, give you more legitimacy and power.