J Santiago
Oh the lessons learned out there in the real world. I have come to the conclusion that an internship is more valuable to me than traditional classroom learning. Nothing can compare to the feeling of being able to see, first-hand, what goes on behind the scenes of state politics.
Governor Malloy has decided to lay-off about fifty people in the CT General Assembly. This is scary. Any staff member of a state commission could be in danger of losing their job. Tomorrow will be the final decision and I will be there to witness it. State workers will be in my prayers.
Last week I attended four meetings and an interview in a single day. It was hectic, but simultaneously amazing. I was even featured on a brief newsclip on Univision that night.
This commission is very involved in making sure that Latinos in the state of Connecticut are being taken care of. I have seen this first hand. The Acting Director of this commission took the time to drive 30 minutes away to attend a meeting between middle school administration and a parent with her attorney to assure that there was no discrimination taking place. He makes sure his voice is always heard at meetings, hearings, or conferences.
Praying that God keeps this three-person staff Commission alive. Big things come in small packages. Hay esperanza.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Discrimination in Connecticut
By: Julievette Santiago
The State of Connecticut's Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission shall "focus its efforts on the following quality of life issues: (A) health (B) safety (C) educational success; (D) economic self-sufficiency; and (E) discrimination."
This is my fifth week in my internship and I have made a few observations. In my last post, I expressed how there is a lack of diversity in state politics and I feel there is a need to diversify the Connecticut General Assembly even further.
This week I'd like to touch upon the topic of discrimation towards Latinos in the state of Connecticut. My observations began when I sat in on the Commission's monthly meeting and a Puerto Rican woman from Waterbury spoke about the mistreatment of her daughter by the faculty and staff at a public school.
In addition to this I have noted that many people were not in support of the In-State Tuition Bill and had absolutely no faith in that it would be passed. On the contrary, the bill was passed.
Furthermore, during my tour of the Legislative Office Building, the tour guide made an effort to introduce everyone in the room to one another, using their whole names and/or organizations and where they were from. When it was time to introduce me, he merely pointed to me and said "Latino" and moved on to the next person. It was as if I wasn't worth his breath. This did not discourage me but only made me more passionate about showing others that even though I may be a Latina woman and the odds are not in my favor, I will succeed. I will make La Raza proud and take full advantage of the opportunities this country has to offer.
Until next time...
The State of Connecticut's Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission shall "focus its efforts on the following quality of life issues: (A) health (B) safety (C) educational success; (D) economic self-sufficiency; and (E) discrimination."
This is my fifth week in my internship and I have made a few observations. In my last post, I expressed how there is a lack of diversity in state politics and I feel there is a need to diversify the Connecticut General Assembly even further.
This week I'd like to touch upon the topic of discrimation towards Latinos in the state of Connecticut. My observations began when I sat in on the Commission's monthly meeting and a Puerto Rican woman from Waterbury spoke about the mistreatment of her daughter by the faculty and staff at a public school.
In addition to this I have noted that many people were not in support of the In-State Tuition Bill and had absolutely no faith in that it would be passed. On the contrary, the bill was passed.
Furthermore, during my tour of the Legislative Office Building, the tour guide made an effort to introduce everyone in the room to one another, using their whole names and/or organizations and where they were from. When it was time to introduce me, he merely pointed to me and said "Latino" and moved on to the next person. It was as if I wasn't worth his breath. This did not discourage me but only made me more passionate about showing others that even though I may be a Latina woman and the odds are not in my favor, I will succeed. I will make La Raza proud and take full advantage of the opportunities this country has to offer.
Until next time...
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission : Summer Internship
By: Julievette Santiago
This year my summer is not filled with the fast-pace working environment of a restaurant. Nor is it filled with the days where I stay in my pajamas and run after my niece to earn a few bucks. This summer I have decided to do an internship with the State of Connecticut Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission (LPRAC) in Hartford, CT through the Puerto Rican and Latino Studies Institute at the University of Connecticut.
As I write this, this marks the beginning of the third week of my internship and I'd like to comment on my experiences thus far. I came into this journey expecting to run back and forth to the copy machine and answer telephones. On the contrary, I have met senators, state representatives, and most importantly I realized what I want to do with my life.
Day 1: On the first day of my internship I was able to have lunch with my field supervisor and one of the commissioners and sit in on both a Restructuring Committee Meeting and a Press Conference on Prison-Based Gerrymandering in the state of CT.
Day 2: On this day, I worked with the Senior Legislative Secretary who has become my new best friend. We set up for the monthly LPRAC meeting. I was able to meet most members of the Commission and I instantly felt like family.
Day 3: This day began with the tedious task of putting citations in alphabetical order for our Tribute to Hispanic Veterans event. It ended with the glorious feeling of having honored the men and women that serve our country.
Week two was here and I began by setting up for our Redistricting Summit from the Latino and Puerto Rican Perspective. I put many packets together and I worked as efficiently as an assembly line. Then my field supervisor received news that a Press Conference was being held on the In-state Tuition Bill for undocumented students. We rushed over and I was able to meet some of the students and accompany the LPRAC Chairman to a debate between two senators on the bill.
The following day started off to a great start considering that the In-state Tuition Bill was passed! Smiles lit up the room. The summit was very informative and successful. I was able to meet a lot of influential people such as attorneys and advocates. I am a Sister of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated and one of my tasks was to invite my sorority sisters as well as fellow greeks to the summit so that the youth may be involved and informed on this important issue. My peers attended and my field supervisor was very pleased.
The following day of my internship I had a tour of the Legislative Office Building and the State Capitol. I followed around a bunch of elementary school children and elders. (Not to mention I was the only minority in the group.) Somehow this empowered me, rather than discourage me.
Today in addition to my administrative tasks I accompanied my field supervisor and LPRAC Chairman to a meeting and then attended the Puerto Rican flag raising at the State Capitol. It was great to see so many Latinos come together to spread culture and show leadership.
It is not my Connecticut General Assembly ID, my cubicle, or my computer that makes me excited about this internship. It is the fact that it has opened my eyes to the extreme lack of diversity within the leadership of the government. During my tour of the Capitol, I was able to sit in the Wishing Chair at the Senate Chamber. I'm not very superstitious so I've decided to share my wish with all of you. I wished to be the first Latina Senator in the State of Connecticut. Although it may be a bit out of reach, there's no law against wishing for it. Let's start by getting into law school and taking it from there.
Three days a week, I commute from Waterbury to Hartford by means of the Peter Pan Bus. I catch the bus at 6:40 AM and take the bus home at 5:30 PM. I am dedicated and will not pass up this amazing opportunity to network and be a part of a movement bigger than myself. "To coordinate and provide access to resources by developing and recommending, to the Governor and the legislature, policies for the advancement of the Latino and Puerto Rican community." -Mission Statement of the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission
This year my summer is not filled with the fast-pace working environment of a restaurant. Nor is it filled with the days where I stay in my pajamas and run after my niece to earn a few bucks. This summer I have decided to do an internship with the State of Connecticut Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission (LPRAC) in Hartford, CT through the Puerto Rican and Latino Studies Institute at the University of Connecticut.
As I write this, this marks the beginning of the third week of my internship and I'd like to comment on my experiences thus far. I came into this journey expecting to run back and forth to the copy machine and answer telephones. On the contrary, I have met senators, state representatives, and most importantly I realized what I want to do with my life.
Day 1: On the first day of my internship I was able to have lunch with my field supervisor and one of the commissioners and sit in on both a Restructuring Committee Meeting and a Press Conference on Prison-Based Gerrymandering in the state of CT.
Day 2: On this day, I worked with the Senior Legislative Secretary who has become my new best friend. We set up for the monthly LPRAC meeting. I was able to meet most members of the Commission and I instantly felt like family.
Day 3: This day began with the tedious task of putting citations in alphabetical order for our Tribute to Hispanic Veterans event. It ended with the glorious feeling of having honored the men and women that serve our country.
Week two was here and I began by setting up for our Redistricting Summit from the Latino and Puerto Rican Perspective. I put many packets together and I worked as efficiently as an assembly line. Then my field supervisor received news that a Press Conference was being held on the In-state Tuition Bill for undocumented students. We rushed over and I was able to meet some of the students and accompany the LPRAC Chairman to a debate between two senators on the bill.
The following day started off to a great start considering that the In-state Tuition Bill was passed! Smiles lit up the room. The summit was very informative and successful. I was able to meet a lot of influential people such as attorneys and advocates. I am a Sister of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated and one of my tasks was to invite my sorority sisters as well as fellow greeks to the summit so that the youth may be involved and informed on this important issue. My peers attended and my field supervisor was very pleased.
The following day of my internship I had a tour of the Legislative Office Building and the State Capitol. I followed around a bunch of elementary school children and elders. (Not to mention I was the only minority in the group.) Somehow this empowered me, rather than discourage me.
Today in addition to my administrative tasks I accompanied my field supervisor and LPRAC Chairman to a meeting and then attended the Puerto Rican flag raising at the State Capitol. It was great to see so many Latinos come together to spread culture and show leadership.
It is not my Connecticut General Assembly ID, my cubicle, or my computer that makes me excited about this internship. It is the fact that it has opened my eyes to the extreme lack of diversity within the leadership of the government. During my tour of the Capitol, I was able to sit in the Wishing Chair at the Senate Chamber. I'm not very superstitious so I've decided to share my wish with all of you. I wished to be the first Latina Senator in the State of Connecticut. Although it may be a bit out of reach, there's no law against wishing for it. Let's start by getting into law school and taking it from there.
Three days a week, I commute from Waterbury to Hartford by means of the Peter Pan Bus. I catch the bus at 6:40 AM and take the bus home at 5:30 PM. I am dedicated and will not pass up this amazing opportunity to network and be a part of a movement bigger than myself. "To coordinate and provide access to resources by developing and recommending, to the Governor and the legislature, policies for the advancement of the Latino and Puerto Rican community." -Mission Statement of the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission
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