Tony Aguilar, 22, Thermal
Four years ago, this nation did something that nobody thought was possible. With the election of Barack Obama as the leader of the free world, millions of young people of color like me were inspired to achieve that which we never thought was possible. The pride and excitement that I felt on Nov. 4, 2008 still resonates with me today and will never be taken away regardless of the upcoming election.
With or without four more years of Barack Obama, history was made and that can never be undone. His accomplishments will forever serve as a reminder that this truly is a country of endless opportunities for all peoples.
Alejandra Alarcon, 18, Coachella
Obama’s views on education rights and funding are crucial to youth of color because without education, there is no progress.
An Obama defeat will be a restriction to movements such as the DREAM Act.
Ivan Delgado, 20, Coachella
I believe the fact that we elected the first non-white president in American history is a huge leap forward toward a diverse nation, rich with culture and acceptance. However, I think this election has gone past the barrier that was skin color. It now falls on whether the people of the United States feel President Barack Obama [made] good on his promises and whether those promises can carry the nation for four more years. Victory or defeat, President Obama has already had a huge and positive impact on people of color. He has given hope.
Fatima Ramirez, 17, Mecca
Personally, I don’t think an Obama defeat would have either a negative or a positive impact on young people of color. I’d like to think that if Obama lost, young people would understand that it wasn’t affiliated with race or color but rather because his opponent had views that the constituents believed to be better suited for their needs.
I believe that an Obama victory would send the message that color isn’t everything. It would show that people aren’t just looking at ethnicity but rather focusing on Obama’s policies and beliefs.
Aurora Saldivar, 19, Thermal
Obama’s grassroots movement broke the mold for the American presidency and in 2008 he became far more than a candidate; he became a symbolic figure for hope and change. I fear that a loss will disillusion young dreamers from testing their voice.
An Obama victory would [bring] a sigh of relief to the dedicated supporters who believe that our president will continue to move America forward. A win would tell youth of color that it is possible not only to set out for a change, but that we are also able to sustain it.
In 2006, over 25 youth began participating in weekly after-school writing workshops where they congregated in the hallway of a two-story building in West Fresno and learned the essentials of creating media and telling their stories. The group evolved over the next five years and is now proudly recognized as The kNOw Youth Media.
Through our program, we create opportunities for our youth participants, who in turn create long-term positive change in their communities. Our approach weaves youth development and youth media innovation to produce our biannual youth publication, multimedia projects, and community forums.
The kNOw began as a project of New America Media, which was the country’s first and largest national collaboration and advocate of 2000 ethnic news organizations. In 2018 The kNOw became a project of Youth Leadership Institute.
