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abril_flowers
abril_flowersMonday, December 26, 2011 at 8:53:00 AM EST
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This is me at a petition drive!
La historia de una activista.
When I was selected on an internship for the Texas Freedom Network, I was ecstatic. I knew that this internship sought for activists. At first, I was a bit hesitant, not because of activism but because I had never done any actual activist work. However, I knew that I was passionate, committed, enthusiastic, and prepared. The Texas Freedom Network’s beliefs were what I believed in, specifically advocating for comprehensive sex education in Texas. Also, I became an advocate under the Cultural Advocacy and Mobilization Initiative. Through the help of my youth coordinator, Garrett Mize, my fellow TFN members from Texas, Advocates for Youth, and Amplify, I learned [and I am still learning] how to develop into a passionate, strong, and fervent activist.
This semester, I successfully established the Texas Freedom Network Student Chapter at the University of Texas at Brownsville, Texas. It was a tedious process to become a registered organization, however, I am extremely proud to say that the TFN Student Chapter at my university is the FIRST and ONLY POLITICAL ORGANIZATION that advocates for many issues that are prevalent in Texas [as well as the entire United States]. I do feel that our university was in need of a political organization other than the Student Government Association because many students are unaware of the issues that are occurring.
The first event that the TFN participated in was College Radio Day. We held a small petition drive for comprehensive sex education. It was an interesting experience because a lot of people were asking many questions. We had mixed emotions regarding comprehensive sex education. Many students were not given any sex education, others did not know that we had abstinence-only programs, and a few believed that we should not have comprehensive sex education because youth are ultimately to blame if they become pregnant or acquire an sexually transmitted disease. Also, we mentioned how LGBT youth are almost always not included in sex education. They are definitely excluded from the curriculum. All in all, we had a great turnout. Many people believed in our cause.
Students at UTB signing petitions!
The second event the TFN held was a bigger petition drive; however, we had help from the Great American Condom Campaign. For this event, there were over 100 petitions signed for comprehensive sex education in Texas. Not only did people sign petitions, we talked to people about safe sex and why it is important to have comprehensive sex education. We provided information regarding statistics, contraceptives, and STI/STD prevention. Lastly, we distributed over 200 condoms! I think this was the most interesting part of our event. Many people were asking questions as to how I had so many condoms. I explained the GACC to the people. Everyone was excited and happy that a student was actually distributing condoms and for our cause. We tried to create an inviting environment because we know that many people do not feel comfortable in talking about these issues [it also has to do a lot with the culture!].
Our table!
This semester, I joined the School Health Advisory Committee in the Brownsville Independent School District [I have a blog for this!]. Currently, I will be working on making a recommendation for comprehensive sex education and presenting it in the following meeting [February!].
Even though I did not host many events like I would have liked to, I feel like I did a great job this semester in bringing the cause into light. Many people were unaware of the statistics and the policies that are in place. Now, I have all the confidence in my acitivist work. Texas, like most of the United States, is making a disservice to youth by not providing them with medically accurate sexual health education. Ultimately, it is up to us to make a change.
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April, You are doing such a fantastic job and I am so proud of you! Excellent blog!
# Posted By GarrettMize
| 1/31/12 11:38 AM
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GarrettMize
| 1/31/12 11:38 AM
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