How To Change The World
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

How To Change The World

We all have a voice of change, how will you use yours?

7
How To Change The World
Nicole Masaki

This last Monday, Nov. 9, I was fortunate enough to lobby on Capitol Hill as part of the Ignatian Family Teach In for Justice. My group spoke with two staff members from Louise Slaughter’s office, and one staff member from John Katko’s office. Over the course of the weekend, we focused on three main issues: foreign policy with Central America, comprehensive immigration reform and sustainable environmental policies. We spent the majority of the time learning about specific examples of what was going on and why such reform was needed. Then Sunday night we had our informational meeting to explain what actions we needed our representatives to take.

Regarding immigration, I was surprised at how little our current system helps those wanting to take legal routes to immigrate. Some of the more general points were trying to keep families together, protecting refugees and those seeking asylum status, and ensure the most basic of human rights to immigrant families and workers. Then we talked about more specific topics such as ending programs like Operation Streamline and the detention bed mandate. In our meeting with Louise Slaughter’s staff we focused on the detention bed mandate. This is where immigrant detention facilities have a minimum quota on number of people that must be detained at any given time. Her staff agreed that we needed to eliminate this quota, and the Justice is Not For Sale Act was of assistance in this.

When we discussed policy towards Central America we also talked about immigration. People from the Northern Triangle, consisting of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, live in the most dangerous places in the world. Over the weekend I learned that three of the five cities with the highest murder rates in the world are in that region, with a city in Honduras being number one. We asked for their representatives to support reform making it easier for refugees and asylum seekers to relocate to the United States, or more specifically, we asked for the end of militarized borders to make it easier for these people to enter into the US. We also asked that those fleeing Central America will be given the right to a full and fair process to access refugee status and protection.

Our final issue was one I was most familiar with, but learned so much more about it over the weekend; environmental justice. I was also able to speak on this issue myself Although this was a global issues, in order to get reform we needed to focus on local statistics, I shared that in Buffalo, New York (where we were from) there were noticeably higher rates of asthma and cancer in housing closest to the Peace Bridge because of the disproportionately high pollution. I also shared that this was not an individual case; on the other side of the United States in Wilmington, California (not too far from where I grew up), they also saw disproportionately higher rates of childhood asthma and cancer, because of the port’s harmful pollution. After being given specific information, we discussed what we wanted from our representatives. First, we wanted the full allocation of funds to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) because we do have a voice and influence over how the GCF uses its funds. Secondly, we wanted the United States to attend and lead at the global leadership talks in Paris concerning climate issues. We concluded by stating that the United States needs to become a proactive country and less of a reactive country, because climate change is a global issue.

Overall, my day lobbying on Capitol Hill was a unique experience where I was surprised at how open and receptive representatives were to hear constituents' voices. The day made me realize that every one of us has a voice on what is done in our government and we can share our opinion if we disagree with what our representatives are doing.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

Rap Songs With A Deeper Meaning

Rap is more than the F-bomb and a beat. Read what artists like Fetty, Schoolboy Q, Drake, and 2Pac can teach you.

19970
Rap artist delivers performance on stage
Photo by Chase Fade on Unsplash

On the surface, rap songs may carry a surface perception of negativity. However, exploring their lyrics reveals profound hidden depth.Despite occasional profanity, it's crucial to look beyond it. Rap transcends mere wordplay; these 25 song lyrics impart valuable life lessons, offering insights that extend beyond the conventional perception of rap music.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

21 Drinks For Your 21st Birthday

Maybe don't try them all in one day...

758
21 Drinks For Your 21st Birthday

My 21st birthday is finally almost here. In honor of finally turning 21, I thought I'd share 21 fun drinks since it's finally legal for me to drink them.

Some of these drinks are basic, but some of them are a little more interesting. I thought they all looked pretty good and worth trying, so choose your favorites to enjoy at your big birthday bash!

Keep Reading...Show less
Politics

Ancient Roman Kings: 7 Leaders of Early Rome

The names and dates of the reigns of the first four kings, as well as the alternation of Sabin and Latin names, are more legendary than historical. The last three kings, of Etruscan origin, have an existence which seems less uncertain.

2670
inside ancient roman building
Photo by Chad Greiter on Unsplash

It is evident that all this is only a legend although archeology shows us little by little that these kings if they did not exist as the ancient history, describes them, have at least in the very Outlines were real as chief of a shepherd’s tribe. The period when kings ruled Rome could estimate at 245 years.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Love Lost

Being the girl that is falling for the boy is never easy.

3344
Love Lost
Pexels

You constantly text my phone telling me that you want to see me and hang out, even though we may not have sex we cuddle and that’s intimacy in its own. I’m tired of buying you food and being there for you like a girlfriend when you consistently tell me you aren't ready for a girlfriend. I am constantly feeling I’m getting slapped in the face because I’m doing all these things and getting nothing in return. Every day I feel myself liking you more which is just crazy because why would I even waste my time liking someone there isn’t a future with. I just want you to be honest with me and with yourself, tell me how you feel from your heart, stop just saying you aren’t ready. You are wasting time telling me you aren’t ready because while you are “getting ready” some guy somewhere else is telling me that he likes me and thinks I’m beautiful and wants to date me. I’m not asking for much, but I at least want exclusivity because you ask me for all these things but in return you give me nothing.

Keep Reading...Show less
Pretty Little Liars

From reading the books in eighth grade to watching the television show all throughout high school, "Pretty Little Liars"basically defined my teenage existence. I was completely and totally obsessed on all accounts. However, even though I loved the fact that the books and the show are starkly different, there are simply just some ways in which the books are much better. Let's take a look:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments