Those words held extreme significance for me on Election Day. They restored my ideals and filled my mind as I approached my polling place: “It is our duty to fight."
The status quo in Merced is under threat, and some of those in power clearly don’t like it. Our leaders need to accept responsibility and help all Merced communities rise instead of offering false, or at best, misinformed opinions specifically intended to question the purpose and approaches of our work. Let’s be clear: they disagree with the tactics because they are afraid of the outcomes.
This case makes me incredibly angry. That should not be happening at all. I’ve seen the petitions to have the judge removed and I’ve signed one. I think it’s disrespectful to the victim and all women. It’s telling the public and the U.S. that women don’t matter and victims don’t matter. It’s frustrating. I hope that the case goes to an appeal because he already appealed his case. I’m pretty sure that maybe he might get a longer sentence. Its ridiculous. It’s a case of white privilege. A mix of white privilege and rape culture.
I have big responsibilities, even more so after my dad lost his business. With our second income gone, I know I have to get a job to support my mom and sisters. Things are sometimes so hard I want to disappear. But then I think about my family and how much they need me.
A press release from the police department notes that Lloyd was booked and charged with resisting arrest and riding his bicycle on the sidewalk. His companion, 18-year-old Bryce Snell, was arrested while videotaping the incident and charged with obstruction. In the video, Snell is seen being tackled by an unseen officer later identified by his last name, Avery.
My mom is currently looking for a job and a place for us to live. The fact that she never attended school makes it difficult. She has applied to different restaurants and stores, but all have so far been rejecting her application. My dad plans to stay in the same house we've been living for the past six years.
I’ve seen the effects of not getting help for mental illness first hand and it's no joke. It's very sad to see. One day a friend may be behaving normally and the next they can fall apart. What makes it worse is that sometimes you don’t even know what's going on or how to help.
My foster home was not the best. It felt like they didn’t really care about me either. I had no clothes and had to wear their four-year-old daughters clothes.
Without a father figure I felt lost. I resorted to the street. Many young teens are in the same situation I’m in. Some go even deeper by turning to gangs for guidance.
I have confidence in my ability to do it. If you are really going to change something, you need to take action yourself. Don’t sell yourself short, don’t think because of your age or ethnicity that you can’t, you can.
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