ITZEL VASQUEZ-RODRIGUEZ photo

I Testified for Affirmative Action, I’m Not Giving Up

By Itzel Vasquez-Rodriguez

 

ITZEL VASQUEZ-RODRIGUEZ photo

Itzel Vasquez-Rodriguez

My experience as a Harvard undergrad was enriched by my interactions and relationships with students from backgrounds different from my own. That formative experience is why I firmly believe all students should have the opportunity to learn in a diverse environment.

As a Mexican-American of Cora descent and MPP candidate at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, I am disappointed but not surprised by the Court’s shameful decision on affirmative action. I am intimately aware of how race and racism shape numerous aspects of our lives, regardless of whether the majority in the Supreme Court acknowledges this reality. I know my racial identity plays a crucial role in understanding who I am, how I am seen in this country and how my lived experience plays out. It is why I testified in support of race-conscious admissions in the Harvard case and am proud to have worked alongside exceptional leaders in the movement to protect affirmative action policies.

And without intentional action to undo historic injustices, racial and ethnic identity will continue to be used as a tool of division. This decision leaves that unchanged.

What the Court’s ruling does, however, is undermine efforts to take that intentional action – to  create  diverse campuses that bring people together in a way this nation needs more than ever.

Colleges and universities have a responsibility to foster equal opportunities and provide students with the advantages of a diverse learning environment. And the work they do to make their campuses more diverse not only makes their campuses better but they also improve the world their students are entering. California has set the blueprint over the last thirty years, showing there are countless tools that can be used to promote diversity. These include considering socioeconomic status, recruiting from affinity groups, and other targeted outreach.

After the last two terms, it is clear that this highly partisan Supreme Court is increasingly disconnected from the history and realities of this country, as well as from realities I shared in my testimony. This decision represents yet another blatant attempt to retain white supremacy.

This ruling also presents an opportunity for us to unite in solidarity, with institutes like UCLA LPPI and faculty experts who support BIPOC students, push for accountability and representation in all institutions and influence decision makers to advance opportunities for underrepresented students, we can’t lose.

To all the current and future students out there I have one piece of advice: don’t let this decision deter you. Apply to your dream schools. Tell your story and how your racial identity shaped you. Join affinity groups. And never be afraid to push for what is right.

Que sigue la lucha!

LPPI Presenters

UCLA LPPI Puts a Spotlight on Latino Representation at Hispanics in Philanthropy Conference

Raúl Macías, Sonja Diaz, Helen Torres, Clarissa Martinez De Castro, Thomas Saenz at table

Raúl Macías, Sonja Diaz, Helen Torres, Clarissa Martinez De Castro, Thomas Saenz

Earlier this month, the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute (UCLA LPPI) led two thought-provoking panels at the Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP) 40th Anniversary Annual Leadership Conference. The panels specifically addressed Latino representation, showcasing the institute’s broader efforts to ensure substantive Latino presence in influential roles in media, government, and society writ large.

The first panel underscored the critical role of democratic institutions and the significance of government appointments in enhancing the quality of life for Latinos and all Americans. The discussion highlighted UCLA LPPI’s long-term commitment, including advocacy and targeted research, to promote increased consideration and selection of Latinos for executive appointments. Featuring UCLA LPPI Founding Director Sonja Diaz, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality CEO Helen Torres, UnidosUS Vice President Clarissa Martinez De Castro, and MALDEF President Thomas Saenz, the program provided an opportunity to discuss how appointed positions contribute to community empowerment and pave the road toward a democracy and economy that works for everyone.

“By focusing on the role of appointed positions, UCLA LPPI shed light on the untapped potential of communities of color to exert political power and hold our democracy accountable. Through cross-sectoral collaboration and philanthropic support, we can fortify a democracy that works for everyone, and foster a more inclusive and representative democracy where every voice is heard.” said Diaz.

The second panel, led by UCLA LPPI Deputy Director Lila Burgos delved into the issue of underrepresentation faced by Latinas and other women of color in positions of power, aiming to highlight the challenges and opportunities facing these women. Panelists highlighted that Latinas often encounter hurdles not due to competency, but because of systemic issues, such as pay disparities and relegation to positions with limited power and influence that hinder their ability to lead and succeed.

photo of Rodrigo Dominguez-Villegas, Sonja Diaz, Lila Burgos, Ricardo Quintero

Rodrigo Dominguez-Villegas, Sonja Diaz, Lila Burgos, Ricardo Quintero

Burgos emphasized this point, saying, “The struggle Latinas face is a delicate balancing act between self-care, familial obligations, and the unwavering determination required to defy the odds and persist in the fight for success.”

The panel served as a milestone for the Latina Futures 2050 Lab as it begins its mission to ensure Latinas have the resources needed to succeed. In 2022, the California Legislature appropriated $15 million for a partnership between UCLA LPPI and the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center to support policy research, leadership programs and civic engagement focused on Latinas.

The HIP Conference serves as an annual reminder that progress requires Latinos to be at every decision-making table. UCLA LPPI is carrying the work beyond the conference doors to build a country where no one is left behind.

Image of Lola Smallwood-Cuevas from interview

CA State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas takes us through some of the history, present, and future of UCLA Labor Center’s CARE at Work program and the LA Black Worker Center. Senator (and founder of the first Black Worker Center) Smallwood-Cuevas highlights the importance and urgency of the work being done by these centers to address the black worker job crisis and how they help to create a more equitable work place.

Chapters:
0:04 – Lola Smallwood-Cuevas – Work to do!
0:22 – Intro Celia Lacayo
0:52 – Lola early history with UCLA Labor Center
2:25 – Robin D.G. Kelley on working with Lola and the Black Worker Center
3:32 – Lola on importance of the root system
4:04 – Kenneth-Alan Callahan LABWC Freedom Fellow
4:39 – Lola on growing impact of the work

For more information visit the UCLA Center for the Advancement of Racial Equity (CARE) at Work

For more LA Social Science videos subscribe to our YouTube channel

A video by Paul Connor

Dr. Natasha Quadlin

Book cover - Who Should Pay Higher Education, Responsibility, and the Public by author Natasha QuadlinIn “Who Should Pay? Higher Education, Responsibility, and the Public” author Natasha Quadlin takes the reader through the changing opinions on student debt over the past couple of decades.
In this interview Dr. Quadlin discusses how opinions (drawn through surveys and prior research) have changed, and possible implications for the future of how college is paid for in the United States. She discusses how and when opinion has changed and how the views on whether students, parents, state, local, or federal government should pay for college has shifted over time.

0:51 – How did you choose this topic?
1:55 – What is the main argument of this book?
4:15 – Key findings in who pays for higher education
5:36 – What is the future of paying for higher education?
7:10 – Why is this book critical to read?

UCLA Sociology: https://soc.ucla.edu

Interviewer: Dr. Celia Lacayo, Associate Director of Community Engagement, UCLA Social Sciences & Professor Chicana/o & Central American Studies and African American Studies Department

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Subscribe to LA Social Science and be the first to learn more insight and knowledge from UCLA’s Division of Social Sciences experts and other faculty.

Dr. Veronica Terriquez UCLA CSRC

UCLA LPPI Hosts 4th Annual Policy Briefing
By Cesar Montoya

Since the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute launched, it has worked to ensure that Latino voices are front and center in policy discussions and that our state leaders know that every issue is a Latino issue. Last month, as the state legislature and governor debated budget priorities, the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (UCLA LPPI) brought policy experts, advocates, and legislative staff together for its 4th Annual Policy Briefing in Sacramento. To a packed room with over 20 legislative offices and community partners represented, UCLA LPPI experts presented research and critical insights on some of the most pressing issues affecting the Latino community in California. Through a series of presentations, legislative and advocacy partners delved into housing insecurity, COVID’s impact on youth transitioning into adulthood and the implementation of Medi-Cal expansion to undocumented residents.

Dr. Veronica Terriquez

Dr. Veronica Terriquez UCLA CSRC

UCLA LPPI Advisory Board Member, and Altamed Health Service Vice President of Government Relations, Berenice Nuñez Constant moderated the briefing, which featured UCLA LPPI Experts Dr. Veronica Terriquez, Dr. Melissa Chinchilla and Dr. Arturo Vargas Bustamante. Nuñez Constant expertly led the convening, drawing on her extensive experience supporting health needs for Latino communities, from engagement to healthcare access.

Dr. Terriquez, director of the UCLA Chicano/a Studies Research Center, kicked off the expert research presentations with a focus on youth transitions to adulthood during the COVID-19 recovery. Dr. Terriquez has centered her research on various topics, including youth transitions, civic engagement, social inequality and immigrant integration. During her presentation, she shared sobering statistics about how the pandemic impacted Latinx youth’s economic stability, education rates and voting trends. She shared that based on her recent surveys, “one in three community college student Latinas is caring for senior citizens or young children” and that these young Latina college students often serve as the new safety net for their families. She further noted that families’ reliance on these young women results in more significant difficulties for Latinas seeking to transfer to a four-year college program and complete their degrees. Dr. Terriquez also shared that Latinx youth voter participation dipped during the pandemic. During the most recent midterm election in 2022, for voters between 18-34, only 22% of Latinx voters participated, compared to 39% of their non-Latinx counterparts. Dr. Terriquez concluded by emphasizing how these sobering statistics speak to the need to create targeted support systems for Latino youth, such as investing in nonpartisan engagement efforts that dispel myths, educate new voters, and strengthen the connection between youth and their local communities.

UCLA LPPI faculty expert Dr. Melissa Chinchilla then presented on Latino homelessness: a growing crisis for California municipalities. Her presentation focused on the rise in Latino homelessness and offered policy recommendations to address some of the underlying housing services issues. Given the large undercount of homelessness amongst the Latino community, briefing attendees considering affordable housing solutions in their respective communities across the state found Dr. Chinchilla’s presentation particularly engaging. After the briefing, Dr. Chinchilla shared, “As a researcher, I strive to inform the development of evidence-based practices that will lead to tangible improvements in our communities. This year I was able to share our work on Latino homelessness and uplift central policy solutions to ensure that government serves our communities equitably.” She added, “Research should not exist in a vacuum, and UCLA LPPI’s Annual Policy Briefing is a critical forum for us to ensure that our research is translated into policy impact.”

Arturo Vargas Bustamante

Dr. Arturo Vargas Bustamante

Finally, UCLA LPPI Faculty Director of Research Dr. Vargas Bustamante closed out the day with a discussion on implementation issues related to Medi-Cal expansion to undocumented adults aged 50 and up. In his presentation, Dr. Vargas shared why the expansion of coverage is so vital to the state and how delays in implementation will impact the health of the state’s older Latinos.  In reflecting on the importance of these conversations, Dr. Vargas Bustamante said, “This policy briefing enabled us to highlight the significance of looking at the wellbeing of older immigrants as an integral part of California’s economy and society. Expanding Medi-Cal to older undocumented immigrants balances health equity and economic opportunity, ensuring that age and legal status are not barriers to care.”

After an engaging day of dialogue, Briefing participants walked away with robust policy recommendations and action items that can bring about transformative change for the Latinx community and other communities of color throughout California.

Click here to view video highlights from the day and here to view a photo gallery.

Authors: Heidy Melchor (LPPI Policy Fellow, B.A. 2023) & Arianah Rizzo (LPPI Policy Fellows, B.A. 2024)

One key goal of UCLA’s Latino Politics and Policy Institute is to encourage and provide opportunities for Policy Fellows to participate in paid professional development activities to develop the next generation of policy leaders. UCLA LPPI exposes student leaders to policy experts and academic and career resources to build skills that accelerate their trajectories.

During the 2022-2023 Fellowship year, UCLA LPPI sent undergraduate and graduate fellows to multiple conferences and events, including the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Policy Summit, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality Latina Action Day and the Mexican American Bar Association (MABA) gala, among others. Through these experiences, fellows engaged with policymakers and other key stakeholders, developing the skills to become powerful advocates in their own right. Additionally, fellows heard from subject area experts and learned new skills through UCLA LPPI programming, like Policy Diálogos and skills workshops, to continue to empower them to advocate around the most critical issues in Latino communities. With these experiences and the network gained through UCLA LPPI, fellows become equipped with the tools they need to take action on issues in new spaces and roles as they continue their careers.

Our Fellows in Action programming demonstrates the power of coupling skill-building and hands-on research with advocacy and mobilization experiences.

Itzel Vasquez-Rodriguez

Itzel Vasquez-Rodriguez (second from right)

A prime example is Itzel Vasquez-Rodriguez, a graduate policy fellow in UCLA LPPI’s Mobilization Department and a current public policy masters student in the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. Itzel became involved in the Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard Supreme Court Case. She was one of a handful of students selected to join an amicus brief submitted to the Court. Reflecting on what drew her to participate in this action, Itzel shared, “I became involved in this case back because I believe banning the consideration of race for colleges and universities in the United States limits quality educational opportunities and training for the next generation of leaders, and creates further systemic barriers for BIPOC students.” Itzel also noted the case’s significance and impact, saying, “Affirmative action has opened up many doors for highly talented BIPOC students who, unfortunately, may otherwise be overlooked for admission.”

Itzel sees LPPI as giving her even more opportunities to strengthen her network by introducing her to other students and staff “who care about equity and justice for BIPOC communities at UCLA and beyond.”

Rocio Perez presenting

Rocio Perez presenting

Another of our returning research fellows, Rocio Perez, a Master of Public Policy student at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, has also felt the impact of the firsthand experience UCLA LPPI provides. Rocio is involved with Health Illinois, where she analyzes enrollment data and conducts stakeholder interviews to determine the health impact of two Medicaid expansion programs. Through this experience, Rocio secured sponsorship to attend a national conference as a participant and panelist, where she spoke on the importance of humanizing data and her previous work on hunger and poverty.

Her fellowship at UCLA LPPI provided the skills to further her advocacy and work on novel research projects like the Latino Data Hub (LDH). Working on the LDH project has provided critical exposure to working with data sets and strengthened her quantitative and writing skills. In reflecting on her experience, Rocio credits her current success to the mentorship she received from UCLA LPPI, “I would not be where I am today without Dr. Rodrigo Dominguez-Villegas [Director of Research] and Sonja Diaz [Founding Executive Director of UCLA LPPI] who believed in and offered me the fellowship, or without the mentorship I received from Jie Zong [Senior Research Analyst] and Misael Galdámez [Research Analyst] to work towards my career goals.”

Heidy Melchor w Grupo Estudianti Oaxaqueño (GEO) de UCLA

Heidy Melchor w Grupo Estudianti Oaxaqueño (GEO) de UCLA

Heidy Melchor, an undergraduate policy fellow in the Programs Department, is also putting her fellowship to work. While at UCLA LPPI, she founded Grupo Estudiantil Oaxaqueño (GEO) de UCLA, a student-led organization on campus created to bring together the growing community of Oaxaqueños on UCLA’s campus. The student group provides a safe space to share and discuss cultures with one another while offering academic support. Utilizing UCLA LPPI’s network of faculty experts, Heidy connected with Elizabeth Gonzalez, the inaugural Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) director in the Chancellor’s Office at UCLA. Building on GEO’s work to connect Oaxacan students with faculty who share similar identities, Heidy organized a community event for students to personally meet with Dr. Gonzalez and learn about her trajectory in higher education.

Heidy expressed her gratitude for having a space like UCLA LPPI and the phenomenal mentors it has connected her too. She noted how their care for her and her passions have pushed her even further and given her the building blocks to grow into the future leader she hopes to become. Heidy said, “LPPI has allowed me to learn and gain confidence in professional spaces. I am eternally grateful for this experience that has built my confidence in professional settings.”

Mirian A. Palacios Cruz is another undergraduate fellow in the UCLA LPPI’s Communications Department, who recently published her political science departmental honors thesis, “Tu Luchá es Mi Luchá” (Your Fight is My Fight): Transgender Visibility and Latinx Solidarity.” This remarkable research centers the lives of transgender Latinx immigrants, setting it apart from many traditional research spaces. Mirian shared why her work is so critical, “Investigating the political attitudes of the Latinx community through a gender-responsive framework will not only allow us to raise awareness about the issues impacting cisgender women and LGBTQ Latinxs but also improve our understanding of the factors that influence the political mobilization of this community to inform political engagement campaigns.” Mirian expressed gratitude for the mentorship and support of her faculty mentor and UCLA LPPI expert, Dr. Efrén Pérez.

UCLA LPPI believes in investing in Latine scholars to develop the leaders of tomorrow. The policy fellows at UCLA LPPI continue to overachieve and show passion in every project they are involved with. As graduating policy fellows move on to the next step in their careers, we’re excited to highlight the next steps in their journeys.

Rocio Perez accepted a summer position with the Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality, focusing on economic security issues. Heidy Melchor will be taking her next steps in her career in Washington, D.C. as a public policy fellow with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. And Mirian Palacios Cruz will continue working with Women’s March Action. Her long-term goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in history or political science.

We applaud the Class of 2023, and thank them for their efforts and contribution to the success of UCLA LPPI.  With leaders like these four young women, the future of Latine policy and leadership looks bright.

Ju Hong, director of the Dream Resource Center

Ju Hong, director of the Dream Resource Center. (Shengfeng Chien/Daily Bruin staff)

On Nov. 1, the UCLA Labor Center co-hosted a teach-in about the history and struggle of undocumented students to amplify the “Opportunity for All” campaign, a new statewide effort led by undocumented student organizers, the Center for Immigration Law and Policy (CILP) at the UCLA School of Law and the UCLA Labor Center urging the University of California system to remove employment barriers impacting thousands of undocumented students.

The teach-in featured presentations from students, faculty and legal experts, as well as screenings of short films “Seattle Underground Railroad” and “Undocumented & Unafraid: Tam Tran & Cinthya Felix and the Immigrant Youth Movement.” Attendees heard firsthand accounts from undocumented students and their friends and family on the difficulties they face navigating the University of California system with restricted work opportunities.

“For over 15 years, UCLA undocumented students have been at the forefront of the fight for immigrant rights and immigrant justice,” said Kent Wong, director of the UCLA Labor Center. He spoke about the historical success of the immigrant youth movement in advancing key legislation, including California Assembly Bill 540, the California DREAM Act and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), each of which he said serves as “a reflection of the power of the immigrant youth movement.”

“The Opportunity For All campaign is yet another defining moment for the immigrant youth movement. The campaign is launching at a critical time in history, because this year is the 10th anniversary of DACA,” said Ju Hong, director of the UCLA Dream Resource Center. “Some of the biggest lessons I learned from the DACA fight is that we have to challenge the system, take bold actions and lean on each other.”

Alondra Banda (pictured), a speaker at the teach-in

Alondra Banda (pictured), a speaker at the teach-in. (Shengfeng Chien/Daily Bruin staff)

Approximately 44,326 undocumented college students in California currently do not have equal access to on-campus opportunities — such as work-study jobs, paid internships and graduate student research — due to the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), a federal prohibition on hiring undocumented people. However, a recent analysis conducted by CILP reveals that IRCA does not restrict hiring practices by state entities, including the University of California. So far, 28 immigration and constitutional law scholars from across the U.S. have signed a letter supporting CILP’s analysis, and more than 2,000 community members have signed a public letter of support.

“The history of progress at the UC is written by the hands of students,” said Jeffry Umaña Muñoz, an undocumented third year student. “More specifically than that, the nationwide advancement of progress for immigrant justice is rooted right here at the UC. We stand here today as living proof of the progress that comes from supporting undocumented communities directly, exemplifying the excellence, critical consciousness and care for community that the UC system instills in each of its students.”

Carlos Alarcón, a UCLA graduate student of public policy.

Carlos Alarcón, a UCLA graduate student of public policy. (Shengfeng Chien/Daily Bruin staff)

Katie Garamendia, a third-year student, spoke about her grandfather’s experience as a bracero, a farm laborer subjected to harsh, exploitative work conditions for little pay despite promises of workplace protection and fair pay from the U.S. government. For her, the Opportunity for All campaign offers a way to recognize the diligence, courage and accomplishments of immigrants that have been historically ignored.

“Today, we have an opportunity to be different: to change a narrative in the trajectory of righting the wrongs we have made and to actually fulfill the promises that were made to our ancestors, immigrant workers and people like my grandfather,” said Garamendia.

On Nov. 15, student leaders will attend the University of California board of regents meeting in San Francisco to continue advancing the campaign.

“I am a chingona activist fighting for my immigrant community to be recognized for their humanity, not their merit,” said Karely Amaya, an undocumented student leader pursuing a public policy degree. “The University of California has both an opportunity and an obligation to remove barriers to employment for all students, on all 10 of their campuses, regardless of immigration status.”

Watch a recording of the teach-in on Facebook

Original Article by Anna Dai-Liu – for DailyBruin

Rosario Majano headshot

New UCLA LPPI Staff Bring Insights and Accountability to Policymaking Ahead of the 2022 Midterm Elections

By Mirian Palacios Cruz

With the 2022 midterm elections nearing, the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (UCLA LPPI) has been making it clear that candidates must prioritize the needs of Latino voters and other communities of color. As Latinos are one of the key voting blocs capable of deciding election outcomes, it is important that parties engage this growing electorate with policy proposals that center their wellbeing. However, engagement must not end once election season is over. UCLA LPPI’s growing team of research and policy analysts are leading the way in holding lawmakers and change agents accountable to Latino communities for the next two years and beyond.

Jie Zong headshot

Jie Zong

During elections, Latino outreach is sometimes overlooked on the grounds that there is not enough data available to describe Latinos’ electoral patterns. To address this gap, UCLA LPPI is launching the U.S. Latino Data Hub led by the institute’s new Senior Research Analyst Jie Zong. As a public multi-issue repository of digestible, reliable and actionable information on Latinos and other groups, the Latino Data Hub will be accessible to elected officials seeking to better understand the constituents they are serving.

“Focusing on 10 critical issue areas – including demography, economic opportunity and mobility, education, health coverage, housing and voting rights –, the Latino Data Hub will equip policymakers with the insights necessary to design and promote policies that improve the lives of Latinos and communities of color,” Zong explained.

Rosario Majano headshot

Rosario Majano

The data hub’s focus on economic mobility is helping inform the work of Rosario Majano, a new Research Analyst at UCLA LPPI who is studying the impact of the pandemic on Latino entrepreneurship. As part of a joint small business research initiative between UCLA LPPI and the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge, Majano’s team will also address the resources communities of color will need as they grapple with the transition to a low-carbon economy. In the context of rising economic uncertainty and the passage of the Inflation Reduction and Recovery Act, Majano said that this project will help UCLA LPPI understand the policy implications on Latino businesses as well as other businesses within historically underserved communities.

“By evaluating the obstacles Latino entrepreneurs face to accessing capital and technology – as well as assessing their engagement in environmental sustainability practices –, we can better understand the landscape of issues directly affecting small businesses and consequently gain a glimpse into the political concerns of small business owners,” said Majano.

Cesar Montoya headshot

Cesar Montoya

In addition to applied research, UCLA LPPI understands the key role that the news media plays in shaping policy debates – which too often leaves out the voices of Latinos. Cesar Montoya, who recently joined UCLA LPPI as a Senior Policy Analyst, is leading an initiative with the Los Angeles Times to increase the visibility of Latinos in public narratives. Through translating academic research into stories that spotlight Latinos’ concerns and contributions, this partnership seeks to expand decision makers’  perception of the American identity.

“By uplifting Latino voices in the media and civic processes, we can work together to bring all communities to key decision-making tables to create a more equitable future,” Montoya noted.

The outcome of the 2022 midterm elections will indicate how much advancement has been made in the last two years to transform Latino political inclusion and representation. Above all, elected officials and political parties have a responsibility to recognize that Latino engagement requires more than investment – it requires leveraging data analysis and a commitment to bolstering public narratives that reflect the impact and contributions of the nation’s growing Latino communities.

Celina Avalos Jaramillo headshot

UCLA LPPI Policy Fellows Fight for an Inclusive Democracy During the Midterm Elections and Beyond

By: Alise Brillault

As we approach the 2022 midterm elections, the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (UCLA LPPI) is working to advance an inclusive democracy that reflects the shifting demographics of the United States. At 19% of the population, Latinos are a youthful and diverse demographic group whose votes are consequential and whose perspectives need to be centered. Not only were they responsible for 51% of U.S. population growth in the last decade, but six out of ten Latinos are of Millennial age or younger.

However, increasing attacks on voting rights in key states threaten to dilute the participation of Latinos and other communities of color in our democracy. These assaults will continue until we build the infrastructure needed to ensure everyone who wants to cast a ballot and make their voices heard has the opportunity to do so.

Through its student fellowship program, UCLA LPPI is building a pipeline of young leaders who are taking on the challenge of ensuring our political system works for everyone. Through hands-on training in areas such as voting rights and election data analysis, students are exposed to the policy challenges of today and are provided the tools necessary to inform a better tomorrow. Alumni of the program go on to shape policy making through influential roles in sectors such as state and federal government, civil society organizations and beyond.

Sebastian Cazares in a Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees meeting

UCLA LPPI Policy Fellow Sebastian Cazares in a Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees meeting.

One such leader, Sebastian Cazares, has already made history as Los Angeles County’s youngest elected official – while working as a policy fellow with the UCLA LPPI Voting Rights Project. Having recently graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in Chicana/o and Central American studies, Cazares has entered his first year of UCLA’s master of public policy program while serving as a member of the Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees. According to Cazares, knowledge he has gained from UCLA LPPI has provided guidance for his own work as an elected official – and in turn, his on-the-ground perspective has informed his advocacy work within the Voting Rights Project:

“As a governing board member, I approved my own school board district during the recent redistricting process in a manner consistent with defending civil rights and voting rights. I also sued the City of Santa Clarita and won in a landmark victory, defeating one of the last cities in Los Angeles County to utilize an election system that is proven to disenfranchise Latinos. Both of my personal accomplishments came to fruition due to the incredible education provided by UCLA’s Political Science and Chicano Studies undergraduate programs, the UCLA Luskin School and training I gained from the Latino Politics and Policy Institute.”

Celina Avalos Jaramillo headshot

Alumna Celina Avalos Jaramillo

Likewise, the skills and experience that alumna Celina Avalos Jaramillo gained during her fellowship at UCLA LPPI continue to inform her work as a voting rights advocate and master of public policy candidate at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy. While at UCLA LPPI conducting research on topics focused on expanding opportunity for all – from voting rights to health care and criminal justice reform – Avalos Jaramilo co-led an on-campus coalition that increased student voter turnout in the 2018 elections by 500%. Since graduating with her bachelor’s degree in political science from UCLA, she has worked with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the U.S. Department of Justice to protect the right to vote.

“I understand what it means to be disenfranchised from the political process and excluded from most public policies,” Avalos Jaramillo revealed. “UCLA LPPI gave me the confidence that I needed as a young Latina from the Eastern Coachella Valley to strive to ensure that every American has the right to live a prosperous, healthy and just life – not just a select few.”

Yaritza Gonzalez headshot

Yaritza Gonzalez

In addition to her on- and off-campus leadership roles, policy fellow Yaritza González Rodríguez is currently engaged in expanding access to the ballot box through her work with the UCLA LPPI Voting Rights Project,. A second-year master of public policy student at the UCLA Luskin School, González Rodríguez has supported the Voting Rights Project on key initiatives to understand different demographic groups’ voting behaviors. These analyses have provided the California Secretary of State with important data on patterns of voting, such as which groups tend to vote by mail as opposed to in-person.

González Rodríguez was recently elected as Director of Legislative Affairs for the University of California Graduate and Professional Council. In this capacity, she disseminates information on how to vote for California propositions and advocates for equitable policy changes within the UC System.  She has also organized community events to endorse candidates and educate on the redistricting process through her role as a Board Member for the Los Angeles County Young Democrats.

“UCLA LPPI and the Voting Rights Project have given me the opportunity to work on important voting rights research and cases that aim to promote an inclusive democracy,” González Rodríguez said. “These experiences inform my other leadership roles, including on critical issues such as redistricting.”

UCLA LPPI is supporting the development of the BIPOC leaders of today and tomorrow who are protecting and expanding voting rights while building a fair and inclusive democracy grounded in equity and justice. These policy fellows backfill the nation’s leadership vacuum by increasing the capacity of new voices to advocate for the needs of underserved communities. This creates new pathways for progress grounded in data and research that ensures no one is left behind.

Trash Talk interview with Author

“Trash Talk: Anti-Obama Lore and Race in the Twenty-First Century” explores the rumors, legends, and conspiracy theories surrounding Barack Obama since his initial run for President in 2004, and continuing to present day. We spoke with author and professor Patricia A. Turner (Departments of African American Studies, and World Arts and Culture/Dance) who discusses how these rumors, legends, and lore often focus on identity by attacking Barack Obama’s faith, patriotism, sexual orientation, and citizenship, and speaks to the impact of such attacks on the political and sociological landscape both now and throughout history.

0:04 – Intro
0:46 – Main argument and contribution of the book
1:38 – Description of Anti-Obama lore
4:18 – Did you think Obama’s presidency would constitute a post-racial America?
6:32 – Why should this folklore be taken into account?
8:06 – Why is this a critical book to read and/or assign?

Dept. African American Studies – https://afam.ucla.edu
Dept. of World Arts and Culture/Dance – https://www.wacd.ucla.edu
Arthur Ashe Legacy Program – https://arthurashe.ucla.edu

Interviewer: Dr. Celia Lacayo, Associate Director of Community Engagement, UCLA Social Sciences & Professor Chicana/o & Central American Studies and African American Studies Department

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGvpkOpiOGU4f5lSwRygbqg?sub_confirmation=1

Subscribe to LA Social Science and be the first to learn more insight and knowledge from UCLA’s Division of Social Sciences experts and other faculty.