We are the Change

By Joslynn Sanchez, Policy Intern at Deeds Not Words

I was 12 years old when the Sandy Hook shooting occurred and Trayvon Martin was murdered, and I was scared. When politicians did nothing — I questioned how those in charge saw no issue with these tragedies. I questioned if I or my younger siblings would meet our fate one day in what was once the safest place for us: school. I questioned if friends and family would even be safe walking around with hoodies on. And I grew up seeing more kids die in school, and more innocent Black people die solely for the color of their skin. I grew up wanting to change things, but I didn’t know how.

Once in college, I felt I finally had a place in the world as a young adult to say and do something for a change. I felt clueless about my advocacy experience and where to begin. In 2019 I found the campus organizer program of Deeds Not Words by a happy accident and I founded the first Texas State University chapter. Supported by my amazing Youth Organizing Manager, Natasha Acevedo, and under the leadership of the amazing mujeres at Deeds Not Words. I was a witness to how big and life-changing advocacy movements start small with the people around you. The campus organizer program showed me that I don’t have to feel powerless and beg for change, but rather I can make it happen myself and with the community around me. I learned that we are the change. Now as I’ve moved on from my campus organizer role and into the Deeds Policy Internship, I feel the things I learned in community organizing should be the foundation of all policy.

The Capitol seems so distant and out of touch with what the people of Texas need. But #Changemakers are on the ground, advocating and mobilizing their communities. And that is what we will take to the Capitol this legislative session. Our communities are our cloud of witnesses that can attest to what Texas truly needs, and our #Changemakers are ready to testify.