I live here in Oakland. This is my home. I stay in the ‘90s, which people call deep East Oakland.
One thing I could say, it’s easier to get a gun than to get a job. It’s the sad truth that be happening. And as a first-time voter, focusing on where I live and where I stay, I feel like that’s where I want to make a change, because it is not possible to make a change in this nation.
And that’s the main focus of why I want to vote.
My family’s from Guatemala. A town called Todos Santos Cuchumatán. We’re known as Maya Mam; we speak an indigenous language called Mam, which is one of out of the 27 languages from Guatemala. Mam was my first language growing up with my parents; we still wear our cultural clothes. We grew up eating different foods, mainly Pipián. I feel more connected to my roots. I’m really thankful, because it’s a gift.
My parents, they can’t vote. I know that only two of my sisters can. So I feel like it depends on us to have a chance to vote, to really take into consideration and do so.
The government is just broken. How I feel about both candidates, Trump and Kamala, imma be real; it’s difficult because they say they are going to do this, but I’m like, will they really do it?
So, I inform myself more about local policies. Like Prop 6, I would say “Yes on Prop 6” to end slavery in California. Because you know, people who are incarcerated, they are considered slaves. They work and work and barely get paid. Sounds like slavery to me.
Growing up, I was on the wrong path doing stuff I wasn’t supposed to do. I got involved with CURYJ about a year ago. It stands for Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice, and we help the youth and incarcerated people.
I got involved with them doing translations because I spoke Mam. Giving out support and help within the community that I grew up in, just like one amazing thing that I guess, like, damn, like I went from living here, like to actually doing something here. I just want to give myself a pat on the back for that. I’m registering to vote to hopefully make a change within my community and with my family.
This story was made in collaboration with VOCES: Latino Vote 2024.
