Sunday, January 22, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Jan 1, 2012
So I am already running a couple days behind on my 365 day photo challenge, so bare with me! The New Year has already started and I am so blessed to say I survived 2011. What a stressful year from SATs to the start of senior year, but don't get me wrong it also was a fantastic year for me. I went on my Junior class trip to Washington, attended HYLI in Albany, met some cute boys here and there ;) (one I even believe to be the love of my life ha!) and went on a trip of a lifetime to Europe during the summer. The end to 2011 was a memorable night shared with my loved ones and I couldn't have been more happier. These two girls Valeria and Laura have always been there for me and I know I can always count on them for anything. The fact that they can handle my crazy family says a lot about them and I bless them for that! I know I can always rely on and share a laugh with them at any given time. I probably don't show it but I truly do appreciate them for who they are. Thank you for being not only my friends but my familia. Monday, January 2, 2012
Youth Involvement in Occupy Wall Street
An interview I did for my school newspaper, The Torch, about youth involvement in Occupy Wall Street.
Occupy Wall Street, a movement that is slowly catching on and encouraging many to march the streets of New York and many other cities to have a voice in politics. Emilio Quiñones, a nineteen year old freshmen majoring in history attends St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn, New York and feels connected as well obligated to protest in one of the most profound movements that is slowly taking over our nation.
How does Occupy Wall Street affect the everyday citizen? Why should we care? I’m going to have a lot to say so bare with me! Occupy wall street affects every citizen because it addresses systematic issues. Everyone has their different stories but if you look at the root to every story, there are connections. When we say we are the 99%, there is meaning behind that. For example, the new trend of immigration policies, thousands protested the immigration law in Arizona last spring. At the same time, thousands protested the education budget cuts just a week earlier. Both issues are extremely connected and are caused by a system that values profit over anything. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), makes thousands of dollars from jailing and deporting immigrants. Therefore, of course politicians would be more eager to pass a bill that results in profits, rather then investing in schools, which is not very profitable. Now, I'm not saying the idea of profit is evil, but it just has gotten out of hand. Even Congress has fallen into the interest of corporate profit. Even though that is only one connection, I’m sure you get the idea. The root of the problem in my eyes, is the system, the system of extreme capitalism.
Being so young compared to many other protesters what inspires you to protest?
I wouldn’t say I'm young compared to other protesters, I mean to the occupiers, maybe. When I protest I see so many mixed ages, I see a lot of high school students, college students, and then there are the parents that bring their children. But what inspires me, I’m asked this question a lot and I never really know how to answer it! I can never pin-point a specific issue. However, my family is very politically active in Puerto Rico, and that is what got me started. I simply love helping others, and I know this sounds cliché, but there are a lot of people that are just too occupied putting food on their table to even think about participating in their democracy, in their local government, in contacting their representatives. I feel blessed that I live a comfortable life so I feel as if it is my duty to fight for those that cannot.
What are some interesting stories or things you've experienced through your participation?
Oh! I have so many interesting stories. One was actually my first day I started protesting. I went down and was looking all around for the protest. I walked and walked around Wall Street looking for marchers or some noise, and then I finally saw a small group of maybe about twenty funny looking kids with signs and I asked them, "Hey do you know where the Wall Street protest is?" and they said "Yes, we're it." It’s amazing how much the movement has grown since that day. From a small group, to millions around the world.
What is your message to the young generation who aren't involved or are simply unaware of the Occupy Wall Street movement?
Occupy Wall Street, a movement that is slowly catching on and encouraging many to march the streets of New York and many other cities to have a voice in politics. Emilio Quiñones, a nineteen year old freshmen majoring in history attends St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn, New York and feels connected as well obligated to protest in one of the most profound movements that is slowly taking over our nation.
How does Occupy Wall Street affect the everyday citizen? Why should we care? I’m going to have a lot to say so bare with me! Occupy wall street affects every citizen because it addresses systematic issues. Everyone has their different stories but if you look at the root to every story, there are connections. When we say we are the 99%, there is meaning behind that. For example, the new trend of immigration policies, thousands protested the immigration law in Arizona last spring. At the same time, thousands protested the education budget cuts just a week earlier. Both issues are extremely connected and are caused by a system that values profit over anything. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), makes thousands of dollars from jailing and deporting immigrants. Therefore, of course politicians would be more eager to pass a bill that results in profits, rather then investing in schools, which is not very profitable. Now, I'm not saying the idea of profit is evil, but it just has gotten out of hand. Even Congress has fallen into the interest of corporate profit. Even though that is only one connection, I’m sure you get the idea. The root of the problem in my eyes, is the system, the system of extreme capitalism.
Being so young compared to many other protesters what inspires you to protest?
I wouldn’t say I'm young compared to other protesters, I mean to the occupiers, maybe. When I protest I see so many mixed ages, I see a lot of high school students, college students, and then there are the parents that bring their children. But what inspires me, I’m asked this question a lot and I never really know how to answer it! I can never pin-point a specific issue. However, my family is very politically active in Puerto Rico, and that is what got me started. I simply love helping others, and I know this sounds cliché, but there are a lot of people that are just too occupied putting food on their table to even think about participating in their democracy, in their local government, in contacting their representatives. I feel blessed that I live a comfortable life so I feel as if it is my duty to fight for those that cannot.
What are some interesting stories or things you've experienced through your participation?
Oh! I have so many interesting stories. One was actually my first day I started protesting. I went down and was looking all around for the protest. I walked and walked around Wall Street looking for marchers or some noise, and then I finally saw a small group of maybe about twenty funny looking kids with signs and I asked them, "Hey do you know where the Wall Street protest is?" and they said "Yes, we're it." It’s amazing how much the movement has grown since that day. From a small group, to millions around the world.
What is your message to the young generation who aren't involved or are simply unaware of the Occupy Wall Street movement?
To the non-involved and unaware, I think it is important to recognize that democratic participation does not end with voting. Keep debate alive, keep criticism alive, and hold leaders accountable, and direct democracy will remain strong and governments and establishments will actually reflect their communities.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)