Legacy Vapa students has proven to be one of the most politically active schools in LAUSD. Ever since the United States Presidential Election on November 8, 2016, that left many students feeling sullen and reluctant. Yet, there were always 3 teachers that would keep our students politically active, Ms. Alvarez, Ms. Spencer, and Ms. Holland.
More than half of the school has hispanic heritage and were met with disappointment when Trump was announced the winner of the presidential election, and felt as if their voices and rights were taken from them. Yet a day after the election, students from South Gate high, Southeast High, and Legacy High all came together and made their voices heard in march that started from South Gate High all the way to South Gate City Hall.
Ms. Spencer answered why it was important to get politically active as a student, “I believe it is important as a student to get involved, politics may not affect you as an individual, but can affect those around you. I never really was involved in politics until I was in college, I got involved by personal connections, such as my brothers and father can be drafted to go into war, people of different race from whites don't have as much privileges as whites. Women are not entirely equal as men. These students need to see what is going on for their sake, and the people around them.”
Ms. Alvarez and Ms. Holland also had words to say when we asked them a few questions. “How do you see the future generations becoming politically involved?” we asked. Ms. Holland answered with, “Online,” and Ms. Alvarez responded with, “Yeah, it’ll all be online. It will be technology.” Ms. Holland added with, “Although, I don’t know if that will transfer into votes.”
When we asked another question referring to future generations being politically involved, Ms. Holland stated, “I think America has always had a problem with um, civic engagement,” and Mrs. Alvarez nodded saying, “Yeah, that’s true.”
This generation so far has shown that teenagers under the age of eighteen are getting more politically involved, or are aware to current situations we are going through. It would be a shame if people suddenly stopped because the matter doesn't involve them, but it will help others, being politically active is not only an advantage for yourself, but it is also an advantage for others. Be politically active and aware, as this generation will be the new future.
#StayWokeVAPA
Getting Politically Active
Jammer & Maria