BLOG | Mariela Hollines
Change and the Future
June 1, 2020
The novel coronavirus COVID-19 has left the world in a very strange state. Several countries across the globe are experiencing some sort of stay-at-home or social distancing order. As each week passes practicing social distancing, I have become weirdly comfortable with things like people going out of their way to not walk too close to you or seeing people wear masks during daily activities such as grocery shopping, getting gas, and taking their dog on a walk. However, I cannot shake a sense of fear because so much is out of our control. Information circulating about the present and the future is changing day-to-day and even minute to minute.
My time at home back from college has provided me with more time than I have had in a long time. Little things from not having to walk from class to class to more time-consuming activities like having track practice canceled have given me extra time in my day to reflect on my life, including my dreams and goals.
With all this time to reflect, I have expanded my appreciation for my ability to attend college, be a part of the LSYWC program, spend quality time with my family, and more. My supportive family, mentors, and teammates have pushed me to become the independent and intelligent woman I am today. I am learning to be more intentional and use all the resources I am provided to help those who are not treated equally or not given the same opportunities due to race, gender, sexual orientation, and more. Particularly, during the COVID-19 there has been evidence that African Americans are being affected by the coronavirus at unexceptional rates in the United States. Unequal social and economic conditions for people of color and health disparities like access to health insurance all attribute to the way the COVID-19 has affected African Americans and people of color. This has made me think about how if I was a lawyer today, I would advocate for equal access to necessary resources and care through the health care system for people of color regardless of social or economic status.
Overall, I believe the opportunities and resources I have access to are going to prepare me for my future as a civil rights advocate as an attorney or perhaps a judge. Living in the moment and realizing all the support I have to help me be successful has, fortunately, eased the tension and stress of the unique situation the world is in and has kept me moving forward with my dream.
“Sí, Se Puede” is a phrase born of farmworkers, who, under the leadership of the UFW, César Chávez, and Dolores Huerta, fought valiantly for equal protection under the law. As a result of the efforts of the UFW, “Sí, Se Puede” has become well known as a call that engenders hope and inspiration in those who face similar battles. We thank the UFW, whom we acknowledge to be the sole and exclusive owner of the Trademark SI SE PUEDE, for granting us a limited license to use“Sí, Se Puede” in connection with our efforts to recruit, in Colorado, students of Hispanic or Latino descent for our law school pipeline program. For more information about the programs offered by the UFW, please see UFW’s webpage (www.ufw.org); UFW Foundation’s webpage (www.ufwfoundation.org); and UFWF’s immigration services webpage (www.sisepuede.org)