Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Rodriguez.
Hi Samantha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When a family member of mine was taken into custody by the hands of ICE, I realized how unfair this system has failed not only my family but has failed my people. With all the anger and disappointment I had within this country and this President who seems to discriminate my people as aliens and criminals, my anger grew bigger knowing my parents were being targeted and were being judged for not being born here. and I used that to be a change.
I began United Youth We Stand, an organization that focuses on undocumented immigrants and the rights they still have as a human. As the organization grew, my mission was to help those who are undocumented and to educate others on the struggles these hard-working individuals faced in today’s world. I shared my story and I shared my dreams and aspects I had and I began fighting. Fighting for a change, for a difference and for an opportunity towards them. They are not criminals. They are productive members of society and only seek a better lifestyle and opportunity. The founder of the founder, as myself, has hoped to make a positive change within her community and worldwide. United Youth We Stand continues to grow in many aspects and we hope to make a change in this system. Black Lives Matter, Immigrants are essentials and RACISM STILL CONTINUES. To add on, United Youth We Stand held a protest and encourages people to educate themselves about these cruel injustices that are going on with racial inequality and unfairness towards people of color and more so police brutality. I created United Youth when I was 15 in hopes of creating a change.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It most certainly has not been smooth. It has been challenging trying to keep the consistency going and having to be in charge of a variety of things. For example, being in charge of branches and social media and on top of that managing activities and events we plan on doing. Facing struggles as we have our daily lives, we face responsibilities and we face struggles along the way. Being consistent, being committed, being accountable is struggles that we overcome day by day.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a political activist and a mental health advocate in hopes of one day being a change to this system. I am always the person to speak up and speak up about injustices occurring on in our world along with helping other people’s mental health and trying to help others cope with their emotions. I am most proud of the person I am becoming. I don’t wish for anything in return from this world with all I do. I wish to be heard, I wish to help others and I wish to be the voice of many of the people who are too afraid to speak up which is what I believe set me apart from others is having that determination to get things done and accomplished even with so much on my shoulder.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
YES! Reading political books such as How To Fight Racism or my Mental Health Podcast that my partner and I have put together is what keeps me going and helps me do my best in my projects/works and my daily life.
Contact Info:
- Email: unitedyouthwestand@gmail.com
- Website: https://unitedyouthwestand.wixsite.com/uyws
Image Credits
MT Radio in the Radio Images and Shaliyah Russell along with Stephanie Romero
