My community is beautiful. The people from the Eastern Coachella Valley  (ECV) are comforting and kind. I’ve lived in Thermal my entire life. I’m used to the way my community looks so it took me a while to realize how much our community was missing. I see the Western Coachella Valley and I envy their smooth roads, their sidewalks, their crosswalks at every corner. But why should my community be at a disadvantage because of infrastructures? Why should my classmates and I be envious of such simple things?

My daily routine consists of a lot of walking, especially in the morning. I walk through dirt roads out of my neighborhood and across streets full of holes and gravel. While walking I encounter speeding buses and cars, all in a school zone. Some cars slow down and honk. Some even follow me home in the afternoon. I don’t feel safe walking to school or back home. I’m thankful there’s a sidewalk but there isn’t a crosswalk near the school where I can safely cross the street. Instead, I have to wait for speeding cars and buses to pass. I have to run across the street to make it to school safely. When I cross the street, there isn’t a sidewalk on the other side until I reach school. 

We know what we need. We live in the ECV, so we experience many injustices daily.

-Rosa González Andrade

I’m not the only student who has to walk but many students are driven to school. Their parents drive them to school because they feel taking them would be a lot safer than sending them walking. Unfortunately, both my parents work early in the morning so I’m forced to walk to school. I love walking but not through a place where I feel my life is in danger. In the ECV, sidewalks are limited so many are forced to walk on gravel near the road. In the evening, people who walk are forced to do so in the dark since there are no streetlights. We are forced to walk with a limited light source and the danger of wild animals. Walking in the dark makes it easier for suspicious cars to approach you or even run you over. A person’s life can be cut short because of the lack of safe infrastructure.

Car drivers also experience injustices while on the road. Many roads are run down and full of potholes and you can see the difference as soon as you drive into Coachella, where the roads are a lot smoother and a lot newer. The limited amount of adequate roads we have are constantly shut down to provide a place for a bicycle tournament that consists of many people from the Western Coachella Valley. The residents here can’t even get out of the ECV without waiting in a line for 20 minutes for traffic control to let them through or for cyclists to finish passing. It’s either that or they have to go around the entire Eastern Valley. 

“How can this change?” you may ask. Well, the solutions include a spread of information and a battle to end corruption. Information that can be spread would be the Census, which lets the government know where to send resources.

Some youth councils like Youth Organizing Council are successfully spreading information about the Census, which is exactly what the community needs. Since the Eastern Coachella Valley is composed of many unincorporated cities that don’t have a mayor or a city council, an alternative could simply be paying more attention to ECV necessities.

We can’t let our voices be shut by the dominant narrative any longer. We have to rise together to end the injustices that we have constantly and unfairly experienced.

-Rosa González Andrade

The people of Thermal, Mecca, North Shore, Oasis and Salton City can elect someone to represent them at the county level. These representatives can advocate for a change in infrastructure or even request funding for community improvements.

Overall, the urge for change has to come from within us because only we know what we need. We live in the ECV, so we experience many injustices daily. We have to unite to be heard and ultimately create a positive change in our community.

We can’t let our voices be shut by the dominant narrative any longer. We have to rise together to end the injustices that we have constantly and unfairly experienced.  

Author’s Note: An incoming junior at Desert Mirage High School, Adriana Torres is a gifted poet and strong advocate for mental health and body positivity. Coachella Uninc. youth reporter, Fatima Ramirez  sat down with Adriana to discuss her thoughts on what it means to be a Latina and her feelings about being part of a generation known for its involvement in social activism and advocacy.

FR: Do you identify as Latina?

AT: Yes, because I feel like the word Latina is inclusive, it’s like all of us together. The roots that come with it, all the history behind it, how our ancestors are proud to be Latina. Those are the things I identify with the most.

FR: Are there any stereotypes under that definition that you don’t agree with?

AT: Well just the idealism that comes with being a Latina, like a curvy body, all this hair, and a sassy attitude, bossy. When people use those words to describe a Latina, I feel like it takes away meaning from it, and to me the word Latina means including everyone. 

FR: Who do you think a feminist is?

AT: I think a feminist is anyone that believes men and women should be treated equally. I just hate the connotation that people have about feminists like you’re just too sensitive. I hate that  because it’s just not what it is, it’s about equality. Some people think we’re just asking for more and more and are so needy and it’s not that at all.

FR: When did you start getting into writing poetry?

AT: Probably around 8th grade. I started reading about it and then in 9th grade I started having more literature classes and more high school experiences of exploring more things. In my school we have a lot of multicultural literature so we’ll have months where we just focus on Latina poetry or African American poetry or Filipino poetry. Right now we’re reading a lot about Michelle Serros.

FR: One of my favorite things about your poetry is that it’s really positive and you talk about yourself with so much self love which is something that’s hard to do when you’re a teenager. How did you start thinking of yourself that way?

AT: I think it’s just acceptance. When I was younger I had all these ideas about what my body should look like but then, growing up you just start to see that it’s just not true or that if it is,it’s a lot of work to maintain and it’s not really a natural thing. Naturally our bodies are not like that. Mentally before, I would just spend so much time worrying about all these things about my body but, then I realized that I was just wasting my time and I had more important things to do and I should just learn to accept myself. 

FR: In some of your poetry you also talk about mental health, can you talk more about your experience with that?

AT: I feel like when I was younger, I would just overthink so many things and it would get to the point where I couldn’t get anything else done. I would focus on one thing and everything else would crumble down around me. I couldn’t find a balance. Then, I just told myself to not think about the small things and focus on the big picture and it just came naturally. Lately on the weekends and when I have time I’ve been painting as well. 

FR: Your generation has resulted in so many advocates and social activists in everything  from climate change to gun reform, what are your thoughts on that?

AT: I think it’s important. Before, you’d never listen to a kid and never expected them to have a say in things or even care about these subjects, but teens now know that it affects them or it will in the future. I feel like some adults don’t see how much we care or just discredit the things we do. If these problems are affecting us we’re going to speak about them, do something about it, make a change. 

FR: Environmentally, and politically, it seems like it would be hard to have hope about the future, what are your feelings about the future?
AT: Well yeah, at times it is hard. This year, it’s been (a lot) but I feel like the people who are going against all these terrible things are teens and young adults. Once we get older, when we’ll actually be allowed to make laws and have more control, then it’ll be better. Personally, my general goal is to be happy and I would like to do some thing with politics. I want my voice out there and I feel like we just want to be heard. I feel like, and maybe it’s not the only way, but to bring more solutions to these problems you need to be in those high power positions.

Our communities are under attack, and our safety is threatened. Our communities in the Eastern Coachella Valley are vulnerable because there’s already a lack of safe spaces and resources for our immigrant community.

Like many here, I grew up seeing la migra on a daily basis patrolling our homes. When we are threatened with walls and deportations what’s at stake is the separation of our families, the separation of our communities.

Our immigrant communities are the foundation of this nation, many who sacrificed everything by crossing man made borders so that their children could have a better life.

Our immigrant communities are the foundation of this nation, many who sacrificed everything by crossing man made borders so that their children could have a better life. They’ve contributed greatly to this nation and in return they yet are not given the credit or paid adequately or treated justly for their contributions.

I am the proud daughter of immigrant parents, the ones who’ve pushed me to go on with chants of si se puede. Their love and daily sacrifices is where I pull strength para echarle ganas y seguir adelante. When they threaten immigrant communities they threaten my source of vida and our existence. Sin la comunidad inmigrante esta nación no es nada, what’s at stake is our tomorrow.

When they threaten immigrant communities they threaten my source of vida and our existence.

For me sanctuary status would be a guarantee of our safety. Officials and leaders at every level need to make public statements that they will take action and put into writing that they stand with our immigrant community. They need to state that they don’t stand with the separation of families, that they don’t stand by policies that have given them the license to racially profile and criminalize and that they will not comply or share information with immigration agencies.

If we have all of our local officials and leaders in our community make public statements and put their words into writing and action for me it will make me gain some newfound hope that all politics isn’t just carefully crafted piece of words but that those elected people are actually there for our gente and it will make our efforts that much greater.

Check out this video from Youthwire of young people advocating for sanctuary status in communities across California. 

About the Author:

Olivia Rodriguez, 24, is from Thermal, Calif. She graduated from UC Berkeley in 2015 with a Biology degree. One of her favorite places in the Eastern Coachella Valley is the Mecca Park where you can find her playing basketball. At the end of a long day she loves spending time with her family in their garden enjoying a cup of unsweetened chamomile or hibiscus tea. View her author page here.

1. Don’t hit the snooze button. Challenge yourself to get up as soon as your alarm goes off. It may be tempting to hit the snooze button once or twice but it won’t feel as good later when you’re rushing out the door. Maximize your morning by putting the time you spent snoozing into getting your day started. 

   

2. Take a break from social media & emails: Social media has become such a part of our everyday lives that we start scrolling through Facebook and Instagram from the moment we wake up. You’ll make your morning less hectic by waiting until later to catch up on social media and emails. Instead appreciate the sun rays, the birds chirping or the rumble of cars driving by. Your brain will thank you for it.
3. Hydrate. We all need to stay hydrated. Reaching for a tall glass of water first thing in the morning can help! If you’re getting used to the taste of plain water, infuse it with some fresh lemon.  The coffee, tea or juice can wait until breakfast time. Getting into this habit will help you keep reaching for water throughout the day.
4. Stretch. Not everyone has the time or energy to do a full workout in the morning. Instead take a few minutes to do some light stretches. This will help you stay limber and you’ll also be able to identify any changes in your body much easier. There are plenty of videos you can follow along with on YouTube.
5. Check in with yourself. Checking in with yourself should be as important (or more important) as checking on Instagram. Whether you jot it down in your journal or on your phone, make sure to take time to reflect on how you’re feeling and what you could do to keep the good vibes flowing all day long.
6. Nourish yourself. You’ve heard it a million times before but breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Skip the drive thru or processed food options by preparing a breakfast that is jam packed with all the vitamins and minerals you need to stay focused.
   
   
7. Set intentions for the day. Often our days are busy and completing our list of tasks can seem daunting. Put your day into perspective by setting intentions for the day and jotting down your priorities. It is helpful to set realistic intentions. Setting intentions that you won’t be able to complete will just leave you feeling frazzled and overwhelmed.
   
   
   
8. Amp up the tempo slowly. Try to start off your morning by listening to relaxing music and transition into pumped up songs later in the morning. This will help you be more present and ease into your morning more comfortably.
9. Make sure you’re prepared for the day. Have a presentation at school or work? Make sure you have all the materials and tools you need before you head out the door and you’ll be prepared for whatever comes your way.

10. Prep snacks for the day. Being hungry is no fun, especially when you have plenty of tasks that require your attention. Make sure you have healthy on-the-go snacks such as baby carrots, chopped fruit or some nuts, like almonds or sunflower seeds, ready. These will help keep you stay focused throughout the day.

Do you have any tips for creating a successful morning routine? Add them in the comments below!

About the Author:

Paulina Rojas is a native New Yorker, Paulina has spent the past two years reporting on the Eastern Coachella Valley. She joined Coachella Unincorporated in 2016.  While it is different from the concrete jungle of Manhattan, she feels right at home in Coachella. In 2014 Paulinagraduated with a journalism degree from The University of Houston and is a member of The National Association of Hispanic Journalists. View her author page here.

By Juliana Taboada

With school starting so soon, I feel that as students it’s very easy for us to forget the importance of prioritizing our well being. I know for me, personally, I tend to forget that I am a human being who needs as much attention as my school work does. In fact, I probably need more. It seems like when it comes to educational institutions, self care practices are never in the picture. In fact, many of us may not even know what self care means.

If this is your first time learning about what self care is, it is the practice of taking care of yourself and your well being. In other words, its about doing what makes you feel good both mentally and physically.

Self care is a revolutionary act. Being able to step back and take time for yourself is one the strongest things anyone can do. The idea that taking care of ourselves is selfish is ignorant and negative. Don’t allow this view to change your need to take care of yourself.

I believe, the more attention I give to my body, the more successful I am in everything. Keep in mind, self care isn’t a one time act. Self care is a constant activity that helps balance the mind, soul and body. So, here are my favorite tips for helping you start off the school year or everyday life on a brighter note:

Self Care Tip #1

Self Care Tip #2

Self Care Tip #3

Self Care Tip #4

Self Care Tip #5

Self Care Tip #6

Self Care Tip #7

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Self Care Tip #11

Self Care Tip #12

Self Care Tip #13

Self Care Tip #14

About the Author:

Juliana Taboada is a local Xicana poet and community activist. She originally grew up in Thousand Palms but moved to Mecca in 2013. She loves both her communities. She enjoys watching Netflix for hours and bursting out into Broadway and musical songs at any given moment. She is also awkward but very social and also loves pretzels.

Why should young people care about what is currently going on with the American Health Care Act (AHCA)?

This is going to affect them dramatically because young people also get sick. There’s young people that get in a car accident, there’s young people that get injured in sports, at their jobs, that eventually need to go to the emergency department. Also, especially young people in the Eastern Coachella Valley care about their parents and they care about their uncles and aunts and their grandparents and they know that a family unit is the most important unit in our society, especially in our culture. So that if your grandparent is 62 years old now and can’t afford [living costs] because they are spending half of their salary on health care, then that affects your parents and affects their ability to make ends meet.

What is something you would like to clarify about the current discussion around ACA?

One, Obamacare is not failing. You cannot call insuring 20 million more people a failure. You cannot call protecting youth to stay on their parents’ health care up to the age of 26 a failure. You cannot call people who now have guaranteed coverage for emergency care, maternity care, mental health care, pharmaceutical drugs a failure. You cannot call protecting people with pre-existing conditions from being denied health insurance or increasing their costs a failure. So these are successes of the Affordable Care Act.

It is like someone who says you’re gonna fall down and then they pull the rug from underneath you and say, ‘See, you fell down.’

The failure is the willful and purposeful threat and uncertainty that Republicans and the Trump administration have created in order to make private health insurance charge more in premiums and also to force them to leave the exchanges. They’ve done this for political gain, in order to just tell people that, ‘See, these are the problems that are happening.’

It is like someone who says you’re gonna fall down and then they pull the rug from underneath you and say, ‘See, you fell down.’

So we need to break down the true reasons why health care costs are going up. We know that it is the cost of medication. We know that is the cost of health care and this bill [Trumpcare] does nothing for that. Instead, it gives a nice, huge tax break to the pharmaceutical industry.

What is your message to those in the Eastern Coachella Valley that might not be seeking medical care right now because they are scared?

There is no need to live in fear. We have to be dedicated to our families, our society, our community and to our jobs. Folks need to live good lives, with discipline and always be supportive of one another because we are going through some tough times with a lot of risks and threats. I encourage folks to live within their faith so they can continue to have faith that things in our political system will change in the future.

About the Author:

Paulina Rojas is a native New Yorker, Paulina has spent the past two years reporting on the Eastern Coachella Valley. She joined Coachella Unincorporated in 2016.  While it is different from the concrete jungle of Manhattan, she feels right at home in Coachella. In 2014 Paulinagraduated with a journalism degree from The University of Houston and is a member of The National Association of Hispanic Journalists. View her author page here.

COACHELLA, Calif. — On a warm summer night the sound of shoes clacking on the floor radiated from the clubhouse at Las Palmeras Estates, a group of low-income housing units in Coachella. The sound was not coming from children running around relaxing during their summer break. This was the sound of young people from the group Sol Del Desierto practicing ballet folklorico.

Ballet folklorico are dances from Latin America that fuse local folk culture with ballet.

Parents looked on as their children perfected their choreography one step at a time. Glimmers of sweat slowly appearing on their faces. Although they were getting tired, they had many reasons to keep pushing.

“It allows you to express a love of dancing and when we compete it is like teaching people our culture and traditions,” said 10 year old Isabel Gomez.

Gomez kept a smile on her face even as her instructor Maribel De Leon asked her to repeat the steps a few times. She held her colorful skirt up, making sure it never made contact with the floor.

Students encouraged one another to do their best. De Leon’s students were doing more than just dancing. Through this program, funded by the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, the students were able to preserve their cultural traditions while at the same time create a safe space where they all belong. 

De Leon who has been dancing since she was seven said that some of her students are shy when they first start dancing but over time they begin to come out of their shells.

“The majority of the children I have were really shy at school, or if they’re starting school they don’t know how to interact with children or their own peers,” she said.  “So this is an opportunity to help them grow out of it.”

Gustavo Sandoval, Folklorico instructor at Desert Mirage High School in Thermal points out similar benefits of folklorico especially for young people.

“One of the original forms of community is dancing,” he said.  Dancing plays a role in all cultures.  Dancing allows us to express our creativity without too many restrictive boundaries.”

“Folklorico often promotes and increases social and creative outlets” he said. “When people come together, it provides opportunities to socialize and share stories.”

Folklorico has provided Megan Richardson with the opportunity to engage in an enriching cultural exchange.

“So, I am the only person in the group that is white. I think it is a great way to learn about culture and learn Spanish, it is really fun,” she said.  “I have made a lot of new friends and it is a great way to learn how both (American and Latino) cultures came together.

Megan’s mom, Michelle Richardson, said that folklorico has not only given her daughter to learn a dance that isn’t jazz or ballet but it has also increased both of their understandings of Mexican culture.

“This is by far the best opportunity we have had to learn about the music, all the different states in Mexico,” she said. “I mean we all think there’s Mexico and Baja, we don’t understand all about all the states in Mexico, we homeschool so it really is like a whole immersion program for us.”

Even those that are Mexican or that are familiar with the culture might not be aware of the full diversity that makes up Latin America’s largest country. Folklorico shines a spotlight on this rich diversity.

“There are 31 states and all have their unique style of dance and dress. To say that the Mexican hat dance represents all of folklorico is criminal and is trivializing the enormous contributions that have given Mexican Folklore its richness and flavor unique to itself,” said Sandoval.

“There was dance before the Europeans arrived and there was dance after they arrived. There is indigenous dances, and then there is dance that blend the European dances, indigenous dance and elements from other cultures such as the African culture.”

Back at Sol Del Desierto practice De Leon takes a break to check in with her students and their parents to make sure that none of them are falling behind on their studies.

“If they aren’t doing well in school then they can’t come to dance or practice,” she said. “It is important that they focus on school.”

Before parting she shares some final words.

“You have to dedicate yourself to it, it isn’t easy.”

About the Author:

Paulina Rojas is a native New Yorker, Paulina has spent the past two years reporting on the Eastern Coachella Valley. She joined Coachella Unincorporated in 2016.  While it is different from the concrete jungle of Manhattan, she feels right at home in Coachella. In 2014 Paulinagraduated with a journalism degree from The University of Houston and is a member of The National Association of Hispanic Journalists. View her author page here.

Editor’s note: Alma Ochoa is a Purépecha musician based out of the Eastern Coachella Valley. The Purépecha are a group of indigenous people originally from the state of Michoacan in Mexico. Their presence in the Eastern Coachella Valley dates back to around the 1970s, when few Purépecha spoke Spanish. Over the years the community struggled with both linguistic and cultural isolation. Ochoa, who sings in her native language, is one of only a few female Purépecha singers. She recently performed at The Hue Festival in Mecca, Calif. Coachella Uninc. program associate and reporter, Paulina Rojas sat down with Ochoa to find out how she helps preserve Purépecha culture.

Q: How long have you been producing Purépecha music? 

A: About three or four years ago, I got inspired to start recording my own music. About two years ago, I recorded my first music video and a few months ago I released it on YouTube.

Q: What was the initial feedback like?

A: I wasn’t expecting so many people to like it. I was surprised, but I am happy that so many people are enjoying it.

Q: What inspired you sing in Purépecha instead of Spanish or English?

A: Most of the people that sing pirekuas (traditional music from Michoacan) are men and I wanted to change that … so that women might feel encouraged to make this music as well. With my music I hope to inspire young women to start doing the same. I also want preserve my culture in some way. Little by little we are losing parts of it due to the fact that it is being mixed with Spanish. I want to keep our culture alive so future generations can have the knowledge of what Purépecha culture is.

Q: Did you have to learn Purépecha or have you always spoken it?

A: I was born in Michoacan and Purépecha was my first language. Then my family and I moved to the United States when I was nine years old. After moving here I learned Spanish and a few years later I learned English.

Q: What are some of the obstacles you face as a Purépecha woman making music?

A: Well unfortunately there is a lot of racism against indigenous people. We experience it here (in the Eastern Coachella Valley) as well. I have heard many stories of young Purépechas being bullied in school because of the color of their skin. Even when you see main characters in novelas (soap operas) the main characters are always light skinned while the the roles of maids, gardeners and nannies are always played by darker skinned people. With my music I hope to help darker-skinned people take pride in who they are.

About the Author:

Paulina Rojas is a native New Yorker, Paulina has spent the past two years reporting on the Eastern Coachella Valley. She joined Coachella Unincorporated in 2016.  While it is different from the concrete jungle of Manhattan, she feels right at home in Coachella. In 2014 Paulinagraduated with a journalism degree from The University of Houston and is a member of The National Association of Hispanic Journalists. View her author page here.

Summer is finally upon us and that means every makeup lover is asking themselves the same question, “How do I make my makeup last longer?”

Because I have oily skin and because here in the Eastern Coachella Valley temperatures can reach over 110 degrees during the summer, I figured now is the best time and place to see how much heat my favorite makeup products can handle. See the results below.

While many Youtube gurus rave about high end products, those products can be inaccessible for those that are just starting to experiment with makeup. For this test, I decided to put my favorite drugstore products to the test. Keep reading to see if my makeup was able to beat the desert heat.

• Check In # 1 @ 11:30 a.m. – My makeup is looking pretty flawless if I say so myself. My skin is looking smooth and not cakey. The wings on my eyeliner match (for the most part) and my brows are ready to party.

• Check In # 2 @ 3:00 p.m. – My skin has come into contact with the blistering desert sun, I have chowed down some fish tacos and had a meeting with our youth reporters. Our youth reporters assure me that my makeup looks good, and I believe them. My face is looking slightly dewy, not in a greasy way, more like in, “I just went for a brisk walk,” kind of way. My brows are still here for the party and my blush and bronzer have meshed together seamlessly.
  

• Check In # 3 @ 8:00 p.m. – My makeup endured the work day and the nap that followed. My foundation, bronzer and blush have definitely faded and my skin is looking a bit more oily but not too terrible. My brows and eyeliner show no signs of fading and my liquid lipstick is looking good after reapplication a few hours earlier.

Check out my top picks from the drugstore for items you definitely need this in your collection this summer:

e.l.f. High Definition Powder in sheer

• This powder will leave a seamless and matte finish to your skin and helping your handy work last all day or night.

Wet n Wild coloricon blush

• The formula of these blushes is buttery soft with a subtle hint of shimmer that is perfect for that sunkissed glow.

Wet n Wild megaglo Highlighting Powder 

• This highlighter is such a gem. It is buttery soft and leaves the perfect glowly finish to the skin. Can also be used as eyeshadow.

Wet n wild photofocus Foundation

• This formula has a natural finish that won’t leave your face looking too matte or dewy. It is a very liquidy texture that makes it super easy to blend and is available in 20 shades.

Wet n wild photofocus Concealer 

• Perfect for covering up blemishes and dark circles.

Wet n wild megaglo Contouring Palette

• This product is perfect for adding definition to the face and also doubles as eyeshadow.

Milani Prime Shield Mattifying and Pore Minimizing Face Primer 

• Will help create a smooth canvas so your makeup lasts all day. Also available in a strobing version for those looking for a little more glow.

Wet n wild eyeshadow primer 

• Whether you’re going for a natural look or a bit of drama this primer will make sure your eye shadow and liner never fade.

Catrice waterproof liquid eyeliner

• Whether you are into winged liner or something more natural, this liner will ensure your eyes stand out no matter how high the temperatures go.

Essence lash princess volume mascara

• After one coat of this your lashes will be so long they’ll be reaching for the stars.

NYX eyebrow pencil

• Great for those who are beginners at filling in their brows.

Wet n wild ultimatebrow mascara

• This brow gel is a must for the hot summer months and will keep any stray hairs in place.

Wet n wild megalast liquid catsuit matte lipstick

• This product comes in a range of colors and lasts all day.

Final thoughts:

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on makeup, there are plenty of good options at the drugstore for all skin types and skin tones. You might have to experiment with different products to get your perfect heat proof makeup but it is definitely not impossible.

About the Author:

Paulina Rojas is a native New Yorker, Paulina has spent the past two years reporting on the Eastern Coachella Valley. She joined Coachella Unincorporated in 2016.  While it is different from the concrete jungle of Manhattan, she feels right at home in Coachella. In 2014 Paulinagraduated with a journalism degree from The University of Houston and is a member of The National Association of Hispanic Journalists. View her author page here.

Editor’s Note: Coachella Uninc. youth reporter, Berania Barraza uses media to uplift stories from her community, the Eastern Coachella Valley. She was recently accepted into Fusion’s “Rise Up: Be Heard” fellowship program. Through the fellowship, she traveled to Miami to meet Jorge Ramos, news anchor for Univision. In this personal narrative, Berania describes how she first discovered the power of media while in high school. Read her story below.

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to do something for my community, but I never knew how to make a difference.

One day, my friend invited me to join a club at school. Once I opened the door, I was in awe. I smelled the coffee the moment I stepped in the room and I saw students working on videos and discussing a project they were working on.

Once they were aware of my presence, everyone welcomed me with open arms and they started introducing themselves. Once introductions were over they filled me in on their agenda. They were currently in the middle of creating a documentary dedicated to the Eastern Coachella Valley.

I learned about the importance of fighting for social justice through the medium of film making

After everyone went back to their posts, Mr.Garza, the advisor of the film group F.I.R.M.E (Film. Inquiry. Research. Media. Education), approached me since I was the only new member. I probably looked out of place since I had never worked with film before. He asked me what my dream was, so I told him that I wanted to become a news correspondent. He told me that the best news correspondents were the ones who used a critical lens.

At first I didn’t understand what he meant but after he assigned me to shadow the seniors as they were working, I began understanding what he meant by using a ‘critical lens.’ After reviewing the interviews the students were editing, I began understanding that there’s more to reporting than just writing what you see. It’s about asking critical questions and understanding the material as it’s being given to you.

When I entered the classroom I thought I was going to learn how to edit videos and use a camera, but I learned so much more. I learned about the importance of fighting for social justice through the medium of film making. I even began going out more, something I was afraid of doing as an undocumented person.

Through this group I began creating videos dedicated to my community. I was creating content that mainstream media wouldn’t give a second glance but that was important to our community.

Even now I use the basic skill sets and critical thinking that I was taught in F.I.R.M.E. The group opened doors for me that I would have never thought of opening. I never thought that four years after I first stepped into that room, I would still be dedicating my time creating media from my community, the Eastern Coachella Valley.

About the Author: 

Berania Barraza loves to live on the edge. Though she’s allergic to gluten she loves to eat doughnuts. Another fact is that she loves learning about other cultures. She’s currently fluent in Spanish and English and can even introduce herself in Korean, Japanese and French. Her goal is to one day become fluent in five languages.Career wise she hopes to become the first DACA recipient to become a foreign news correspondent.