If you are getting ready to apply to college or have at least started thinking about applying, you are probably wondering how in the world are you going to choose a major. You might already have your parents or other family members pressuring you into pursuing a major that they think is best for you. It might make you less stressed out to know that many college graduates change their major several times while they are in college. Don’t worry, most college graduates agree that your major doesn’t necessarily define the career you will have for the rest of your life.

Getting a college degree in any major only broadens your chances of achieving success. However, it is important to make sure you choose a major that you are passionate about. Your major may not define your career choices but it will influence the types of classes you will take in college. By choosing the right major you can ensure that you will take classes that interest you, instead of some that might put you to sleep. Pursuing a major that motivates you can help make your college experience meaningful and prepares you for a career you will love.

Take it from these five undergraduate Latinas as they explain why finding a major they love has made their college experience more beneficial and has brightened their future.

Maria Librado

Major: Youth and Community Studies

Minor: Sociology

What influenced you to choose this major? I realized there was a strong need for direction in today’s youth. There is also a lack of availability of resources that has negatively influenced the community a child is brought up in.

Why do you think this major suits you? My major suits me because I have a passion for helping youth through community outreach.

Was this major your first choice? No, my first major was sociology. When I realized this major was more focused on research I realized I wanted to major in something that allowed me to make a direct impact on youth.

What has been the best class you have taken for your major and why? Mexican Americans in Higher Education has been my favorite class because I learned about the issues that have deeply impacted the educational attainment of Mexican American students. I learned that alternative paths can be taken to help these students gain access to higher education.

How do you see your major helping you achieve your goals for the future? My career goal is to one day become a counselor focused on helping minorities get into higher education. I feel that my major is giving me the preparation I need to work with and understand youth and communities collectively as a counselor.

 

 

Nicole Garcia

Major: Health Promotion

Minor: Education with specialization in disability studies.

What influenced you to choose this major? I have come to realize how important our physical and mental health is. Coming from El Paso where it’s encouraged to eat, or else grandma gets upset, I never realized how important it is to watch what we are putting into our bodies. Promoting health is important to me because there are people out there who get diagnosed with brain diseases or cancer, diseases that we can’t prevent. So we should do what we can to take care of the healthy bodies we are given.

Why do you think this major suits you? I want to be able to help people and give back to my community, my major gives me the foundation for that. It has also given me the opportunity to take classes that teach a great deal about autism which my brother was diagnosed with during my senior year of high school. After some of my kinesiology classes I am now able to understand him a lot better

Was this major your first choice? No, I started off with exercise science and switched to health promotion. They are in the same umbrella of kinesiology though, so there wasn’t a big difference.

What has been the best class you have taken for your major and why? Programming For People With Disabilities, because my passion has always been to help those with special needs and this class taught me about different disabilities and how to accommodate people with them so they can participate in physical education. This class also gave me and opportunity to volunteer with UT’s Autism Project where I was able to interact with children who have autism. This was by far one of my best experiences at the university.

How do you see your major helping you achieve your goals for the future? My major has given me the information I need to be able to go back home and start programs or interventions that I feel El Paso really needs such as better physical education and nutrition being included in our high school health class.

 

Bethany Ward

Major: English

Minor: RTF (Radio, Television and Film)

What influenced you to chose this major? When I was in high school I had a really good English teacher who taught me how to think critically and outside the box. After that I had very good English teachers throughout high school. I also love to read and write, its always been something I enjoyed.

Why do you think this major suits you? With English major there is no right answer.  As and English major you get to come up with your own opinions and answers to questions.

Was this your first choice? Yes!

What has been the best class you have taken for your major and why? The American Novel After 1920. We got to read many classic American books and the professor was really open and encouraging with the class.

How do you think your major will help you achieve your future goals? Being an English major makes you well rounded, you learn a lot more than just about books. You learn how to analyze and become a more critical thinker which is an admirable trait in many job positions.

 

Patti Martin

Major: Microbiology

What influenced you to choose this major? I have always been interested in science and learning about how bacteria and viruses can infect us and make us sick. It really amazed me that tiny microorganisms have the ability to make people die!

Why do you think this major suits you? I think my major suits me because I like to think analytically and with science there is always an answer. Also I feel as though being able to learn about different symptoms and diseases will help me when I become a dentist because I am going to have to diagnose my patients.

Was this major your first choice? No, first it was biology then I realized I could specialize in an area and I chose microbiology and have stuck with it since that day.

What has been the best class you have taken for your major and why? My favorite class has been organic chemistry because the professor I had was truly an inspiration to me. He showed me that hard works truly does pay off and taught me to never give up.

How do you see your major helping you achieve your goals for the future? I have been accepted to dental school and the first year is basically all science including microbiology, immunology, and physiology which are all courses I’ve had to take under my major. As a dentist I will have to diagnose and treat my patients which is also something I have learned to do in many of my classes.

 

Linda Serna

Major: Women and Gender Studies

Minor: Sociology and Social Work

What influenced you to choose this major? My experiences growing up as a female have encouraged me to pursue this major. I have also always wanted to help and give back to the community.

Why do you think this major suits you? My major suits me because it allows me to surround myself with diverse people. Gender studies is also a new field so there are many more research possibilities.

Was this major your first choice? No my first choice was social work, which I still hope to pursue a Master’s degree in.

What has been the best class you have taken for your major and why? Intro to Women and Gender Studies has been my favorite class because it made me realize how interested I am in this new field.

How do you see your major helping you achieve your goals for the future? My major will teach me to reach out to marginalized groups and create a safe space for all people to express themselves and learn.

Most people set a new resolution every year, but end up forgetting about them by, um, mid…. January. However, these five New Years Resolutions are truly worth keeping all year! You may ask: why? Answer: because these resolutions are good for both your heart and soul.

1.) Stay Active!

Try joining an after school activity or sport at school or your local recreation center. There are many fun ways to stay fit and healthy while having fun doing it. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), children and young adults from ages 6-18 should do three essential types of physical activities. Your exercise routine should include aerobic activity, such as running or jogging. You should also mix in muscle strengthening like sit-ups or push ups as well as bone strengthening like running or jumping rope. The CDC recommends doing these three activities three times a week for an hour or more. Check your local recreation centers for a list of their different activities, they can vary from dance classes to gymnastics; remember to try something new, you never know what you may learn or if you”ll end up loving it! Also, get your friends to join, physical activities can be more enjoyable if you have a friend of workout buddy.

2.) Get Involved

There are many ways for you to get involved in your community. Volunteering can be very rewarding, not only for the person or animals you will be helping, but also for yourself. Mari Ruiz who volunteers with Latinitas and at her church mentions, “It is really rewarding to volunteer in the community because you give your time and effort to help other people who need it and you don’t ask for anything in return.” Not sure where to volunteer? Check out your local organizations via a simple Google search or look through your local newspapers.  Try looking for local animal shelters, crisis shelters, and/or organizations for the less fortunate — it helps if it’s for a cause you’re passionate about. Too busy with school or work to volunteer? Many of these organizations and shelters accept donations, look them up and call them.  You never know that what you may have laying around the house could benefit others.

3.) Learn a New Skill Or Try Something New

We all have many things we would like to learn to do but never seem to have the time to do them! Focus on one and stick to it. This new skill can be learning about photography, but it can also be an old family tradition you acquire from abuelita ( like learning how to make her delicious home made cookies). Don’t limit yourself to learning one new skill try for two, three or ten if possible! This year, make time to learn something new like Daniela, who is dabbling in new fashion resolutions, ”Sweatpants, a bun and no makeup was my fashion trend last year. Really practical, but every time I ran into someone it was the most embarrassing thing, especially when it was someone I had not seen in a long time. I wanted to start the new year fresh and with a new look, so I made that one of my new year’s resolutions. I’ve been working on it and trying to make it a habit. I wear more casual clothing and try wearing eyeliner and eyeshadow that combines whatever I’m wearing. Up to now, I’ve been getting compliments for looking different and that’s awesome.I feel better about my looks and I don’t have to worry about bumping into somebody and looking like I just woke up.”

 

4.) Explore New Attractions:

You would be amazed at how many new things there are to discover in your home town. Grab your best friend and be tourists of your own city! Remember: You can also be the star photographer and take your camera to document your trip.Your local newspaper is filled with events taking place that weekend. If possible, check out local event guides that are normally free. The Visitors Bureau also offers pamphlets on local attractions or local museums. Feeling adventurous? Go downtown and explore the different historical buildings, parks, natural attractions, local cultural art centers, conventions, museums, shops and more. Look up your city’s history, you might be surprised at what historical landmarks and attractions are available. Don’t be shy, try something new, or meet new people, but always remember to be safe.

I had my own adventure, check it out:

 

5.) Relax!
 With all of these new activities to try on top of your normal routines, you will also need time to relax and rest. There are many ways to unwind that can be fun, like snuggling on the couch and reading Latinitas Magazine, taking your dog out for a walk, or catching a movie with friends. Remember that relaxation and rest are  very important for your mind, body and soul. We must treat our bodies with respect and always allow time for recovery when exercising or doing other strenuous physical activity.

Many seniors across the country are counting down the days until a very special day. That day is not their prom or their senior field trip. That special day is their high school graduation. From the first day of the Fall semester, a long time before the school year comes to a close, seniors are already getting excited to walk across that stage (or field) to receive a piece of paper that will set them free from high school.

Demonstrating the symptoms of ”senior-itis,” three Texas high school seniors give a small insight on their four years of high school and what they plan on doing after they finally receive their high school diploma.

Name: Jackie Reyna
Age: 17
What clubs and organizations did you participate in?
“I was in Skills USA and band.”
What’s your favorite memory of high school?
“My best high school memory was making the Texas All-State Band in my junior year of high school.”
What was your most embarrassing moment in high school?
“My most embarrassing moment was when we were reading ‘A Separate Peace’ and I looked it up and told the class about my discovery on an extended version of the story ‘A Separate Piece of Man Meat.’ The whole class, including the teacher, laughed at me.”
What will you miss from high school?
“I will miss all the friends I’ve made, all the great memories that will forever stay with me, and marching/football season.”
What you plan on majoring in college?
“I plan on majoring in either Criminal Justice or Psychology to become a Border Patrol agent.”
Any advice to underclassmen?
“My advice to any underclassmen would be as long as you do what the teachers tell you, and turn in your work, high school would be a breeze. Any grade is better than no grade. Also don’t mess with the seniors because if you act better than them, they will hate you and the will not be afraid to show it.”

Name: Sarah Lozano
Age: 17
What clubs and organizations did you participate in?
“I was in band, 21^st Century, TSA and golf.”
What’s your favorite memory of high school?
“My most unforgettable high school moment would be finding myself and who I am, surrounding myself with intelligent, sweet people and reaching my goals.”
What was your most embarrassing moment in high school?
“My most embarrassing moment was this one time I was wearing really high, high heels and I fell on my teacher crush and he caught me. We both got really red so now he stays away from me when I wear heals.”
What will you miss from high school?
“Nothing. I don’t wish to dwell on the past, what’s done is done. Whether it was great or horrible, I don’t want to look back.”
What you plan on majoring in college?
“I plan on majoring in music performance.”
Any advice to underclassmen?
“My advice to underclassmen is to be yourself. People will like you for who you are. Be humble and remember your manners. Don’t think you are better than people. If you do, the seniors will hate you. Don’t mess with seniors! Always compliment them and tell them nice things. Then they will love you forever. Also, if you want to get good grades, be a teacher’s pet.”

Name: Gigi Valentina Reyes
Age: 17
What clubs and organizations did you participate in?
“I’m in the colorguard, Art Club and do a bit of theater.”
What’s your favorite memory of high school?
“Performing at half time shows with the band for color guard or performing on stage for theater.”
What was your most embarrassing moment in high school? “First day of senior year, I walked into what I thought was my Government class, but ended up being a freshmen English 1 class. I couldn’t tell it was an English class because there were no posters around. I walked out embarrassed!”
What will you miss from high school?
“I’ll miss going to school everyday and being surrounded by people I’ve known for years. Not feeling awkward.”
What you plan on majoring in college?
“I plan on majoring in Physiology.”
Any advice to underclassmen?
“Don’t stress so much with school. It won’t help. Try your best to stay on track with all your assignments. Study! Get as much sleep as you can, get involved, and have fun. Cherish every moment!”

Even if you aren’t old enough to vote, you can do your civic duty and get involved in politics by helping get the vote out. During the election season, the Latino vote is becoming more important to make sure our community has a voice.  If you are 18, take action and vote. At all ages, you can help promote voter turnout by talking to your family, teachers and friends to go out to vote to make sure their voice is heard. Our readers shared why they think it is important to vote.

1. You should vote because people fought and died for your right to vote. You should also use your right to vote if you want to be heard. You have your voice heard by voting for the president and your state legislators. You should be grateful for your right to vote, because people in some other countries don’t get to vote. – Vanity Flores

2. It is important to vote because we need leaders. We need someone to believe in and to depend on. Another important thing is to vote for representatives that vote like you want them to for the laws. If we don’t vote, there will be no leaders that make laws, and if there are no laws everyone will go do whatever they want to do, and we couldn’t change anything. Those are the reasons why voting is important. -Cristal Martinez

3. You cannot complain if you don’t vote. Our future is in your hands, think before you make any other choice. Think of the benefits for your child. Vote now for your own benefits! Vote for who you think will represent us human beings better. You have a right to vote for yourself ,it is not someone else’s responsibility to vote, it is yours.Vote because you choose what is better for you and your future. Now is the time to vote, go vote now! -Amy Calixto

4. Voting is important because we need to vote for a president that is right for us. Sometimes presidents make the rules and make our lives change. Some presidents can give us freedom and others don’t. Some presidents say stuff that encourages us to vote for them. It’s important for our parents to vote in any election. -Cecilia Moran

5. It’s important to vote that way bad people don’t decide what to do. Others might get rid of schools or make our country really poor. They could also start a really bad war that would injure a lot of our people.- Daniela Sales

 

Education is important to help young women stay one step ahead in the job market. These Latinitas strive to prepare themselves for a brighter future and share their tips for getting a higher education.

If You Get Educated, You Can Be a Role Model of a Successful Latina.
“Education plays an important part in our future. I believe that everyone should have an educational goal because you can become successful and make great things happen. Education is vital in today’s society because being educated will last you a lifetime. Coming from the Latin community, I rarely hear about successful Latinas, compared to other ethnicities. My educational goals are to attend Stanford or Duke University, because I want to become a well-known Latina brain surgeon. I want to be able to get a full ride scholarship through volleyball and academics. I want to become the best Latina volleyball player there is. I want to be a Latina you will never forget.” ~Alexa Duran

Education Helps You Move Up in the World.
“Education is the process of learning and acquiring knowledge at school from a teacher, receiving knowledge at home from a parent or family member. Education is the key tool that allows people to move up in the world, seek better jobs, and succeed in life. Education is one factor that affects the job positions people hold, further advance their career, the income they make, and the title they hold. The more educated a person is, the more power that person holds. However, unfortunately, we have places in the world where not everyone has an opportunity or chance to receive formal education. I think being educated plays an important role in making a nation more successful and well rounded. Receiving formal education is vital, but to achieve success in life, informal education is essential. Education is very important and no one should be deprived of it.” ~Karina Valdez

It Creates New Opportunities For You.
“Have you ever thought about your future? Have you ever  thought about what your going to do? You have to start thinking about it now! BAM!! with the snap of your fingers your life will go by. You don’t want to be the girl that didn’t think about her future and end up with a minimum wage job, while your friends are more successful. A lot of jobs require a high school diploma or higher. Think about what you want to be because more than likely that job requires  a higher education. In today’s society education is VERY important. You can get almost any job you would like but without higher education, it will take you longer to get the position you want to hold. Most people that have a good job, more than likely have a higher education. Such as lawyers, they need a higher education to get where they want. A higher education means having more job opportunities. The money you make depends on that greater education.  I know you may think that college is going to be expensive. Think of it this way yes, you spend a lot of money, but in the long run you might make more money than you spend after getting that education. Minimum wage jobs right now barely pay the bills and put food on the table. When you get a higher education you can pay the bills, put food on the table and have money left over for yourself. Don’t sell your self short on minimum wage when you can achieve greater. Don’t let anyone tell you what to be and how to be it. Just do what you think is right. Pursue your dreams.” ~Christina Ramirez

Education Helps You Get a Good Job
“School is something that many people take for granted, but going to college has become a must in today’s society. It has practically become a requirement if you want to obtain a job that pays you well enough to have a comfortable living. Education affects the jobs you can get and the amount of money that you can make. Now, a lot more jobs are requiring more than just a high school diploma. They are making it mandatory for you to have a bachelor’s degree or something higher than just a regular diploma. You have to try for a high GPA and graduate top of your class to get those higher paying jobs. After you graduate, companies see you as the better option to hire for their company because you went to college. They will literally pull your name out and consider you for the job before anyone else without schooling, just because you took the time to go to school and get a higher education. That also means you receive more job offers and get more money. Making more money at the end of the week will be worth it in the end.” ~ Samantha Angela Gutierrez

You Need Education to Survive In Today’s Society
“The importance of an education in today’s society, in my opinion, is strictly for survival. Those who are more educated get better jobs. I read somewhere that people who don’t know how to use a computer are considered illiterate, and that a bachelor’s degree is now equivalent to a high school diploma. The most educated are the biggest contributors in the fields of medicine, science, education, technology, and every other career cluster. I want to be at the top of my game. I want to set the pace for my three younger sisters.” ~Alicia Renée Renteria

Without a Degree You May Struggle
“Education is extremely important in our life time. In present day, our society requires you to at least have a Bachelor’s degree to get a decent job. People who don’t have any degrees are struggling to make ends meet. In today’s economy, the whole nation is struggling. It is very important that we maintain a good education, so we can have better opportunities. Education is stressed because our world is going through many obstacles. We need fresh new minds to help our suffering planet and solve problems like global warming and melting snow caps. With education we can find new ways to save fossil fuels and provide alternative sources of fuel. Education is also important because it can boost your self-esteem level. Having a good education can help you reach your goals. So yes, education is very important in today’s modern world. ~Deanna Chavez

Education Offers a Bright Future to Our Generation
“My educational goals are to learn to walk before I start to run. I’m just an ordinary girl in my school, except my horrid habit is to do more than I can handle.  I love to participate no matter what. I love to read, I’ve past the expert mode in Theatre, Dance? I’ve got it, and I excel even in soccer. We need to focus on our work. In this generation with all of these fake people, swag is more important than good grades. Seriously, I really don’t like the people this generation It worries me because everyone deserves a chance and I don’t want them to waste it.  I just have to stop worrying about other and make sure I’m doing my best in math and not pushing myself too hard to the point where I can’t even relax when I’m with my friends. Every choice I make changes my future in a major way, starting with my grades. I have to always focus and education is my main priority right now, not dealing with the stupid problems this generation throws at us. Maybe I’ll study in the beauty industry or animal care.  I know that if I just study hard and focus on whats important, I can do anything extraordinary. That’s my future and I think it’s looking bright!”  ~Carolina Quiroga

By Paulina Gabrielle M. Benitez

I can’t even remember a time when I haven’t looked on the bright side. In fact, I can imagine I have probably annoyed almost every person I’ve known, at one point or another, with my unrelenting optimism. However, this does not mean that I am irrational or uncaring, for I don’t simply overlook or disregard the problems and sadness that come into my life Instead, I just hold tight to my belief that I can conquer anything as long as I have the willpower and determination to do so. I honestly believe that, as human beings, we are capable of doing anything, even the impossible, should we possess the focus and motivation to pursue and complete that task.

This power lies in our ability to change, to adapt, and to innovate, and that very ability is what has set the human race apart to begin with. We’ve all seen examples of this incredible power of ours before, when we defied gravity and sent ourselves not only into the sky but then into outer space, every time when wars have ended in favor of peace, when racial, ethnic, and social boundaries have been eradicated in the pursuit of equality and liberty, not to mention the infinite number of times any human has done anything they were told they couldn’t or wouldn’t be able to do. Ultimately, the basis of our humanity is our simultaneous rejection and acceptance of it, that quality of ours which enables us to fall down and get back up again, or to look our mistakes or our fears right in the eye and move on while becoming better people for it. This characteristic, and the daily proof of it is what fuels my optimism, for I am constantly inspired by humanity’s overarching attempt to transcend physical, geographical, social, economic, and political boundaries in our unwavering desire to improve ourselves, and by the grace with which we pick ourselves up and try again when that attempt fails.

Unfortunately, the problem with my generation is that as a whole, we’ve become jaded. I believe that the knowledge of our seemingly ever-building list of local, global, cultural, political and environmental problems is what’s causing so many of us teenagers to seek an escape, whether it be through drugs and alcohol, misbehavior, or even addiction to technology. It’s hard for us to see a solution to any of these problems, especially when many of the issues we’re now confronted with are those caused by other generations. Precisely for this tragic reason, one of my goals in life is to share my beliefs and optimism with everyone in need of them, for I remain convinced that there is no problem too difficult for us to solve, especially if we take the time to brainstorm and work together on a solution.

I’ve never seen the use of dwelling on the past, except to take away lessons from it to use in planning the future, and I hope to restore the hope for progress and change to the many people who’ve lost it by being overwhelmed by our past and current issues. This is a goal I always strive to achieve on a daily basis by pointing out this beautiful characteristic of mankind to anyone who questions our capacity to improve ourselves. Additionally, I intend to achieve this through other long-term goals of mine which include helping to solve and prevent environmental issues that we’ve run into, to do all I can do to help establish peace, health and human liberties both locally and globally, and to promote rights and powers of minority groups. This third goal is a bit different from the others, but it stems from my own experiences, for I’ve grown up being told and shown that since I’m part of an ethnic minority group, society’s expectations of me are very low, and as I’ve always refused to let that knowledge and reality weaken my resolve or slow me down, I hope to encourage others to do the same. I will admit that these goals and desires may appear to be somewhat farfetched, but that doesn’t cause me to question or doubt my ability to accomplish them in the least, in fact, it only makes my determination to achieve them even stronger. To me, the word “impossible” has always been, and forever will be, nothing but a word.

I am almost ashamed to admit it, but until this year I did not notice or question why there were so few Latinos in Hollywood. I didn’t realize how skewed things were until I saw an online post celebrating 20 Academy Award winners of African American descent. Seeing that post was a wake up call: “Where are the Latinos and Latinas hiding?” “How many of my own people have actually won an Academy Award?” and “Why didn’t I notice this before?”

Driven by a vigilance that would not die, I did a little research and was even more aggravated by what I found. In the eighty-one years the Academy has been handing out awards, just fourteen Latinos have been nominated for the acting category. Guess how many have won an Oscar. Give me your best guess. Ten? No. Seven? No. Five? Ha! I wish. Three Latinos and one Latina have actually won in the Actor category. We have yet to see a Latina win Best Actress.

It has been 51 years since West Side Story. Rita Moreno, one of my idols, won for the category of Supporting Actress. Who knew that I would be here, a nineteen year old in 2012 wondering QUE PASO?! There has to be other amazing Latina actresses out there that are just as “Oscar Worthy.” While I do have much admiration for Rita Moreno, she’s Puerto Rican and not even from my generation!

There was a scene from West Side Story that has resonated with me until now. It’s when Anita starts mocking Benito’s negativity by saying, “Your mother’s a Pole. Your father’s a Swede. You were born here, that’s all that you need. But us? Foreigners!” Does that ring a bell? If not it should because that is how Latinos are being portrayed in films . Those “foreigners” are certainly getting more Oscars than Latinos. Only 8 Mexicans are Academy Award winners. Guess how many people from Spain have won Academy Awards? Thirteen. My theory is you can win an Oscar with as Spanish surname as long as you’re European or not included in the United States. How sad is that? I am missing other Latin American countries, but clearly there is an obvious pattern.

Color-lines.com featured an article on the  “Strong Presence of Latinos in the Academy Awards.” While it was written by a Latino, I was disappointed by the lack of perspective in the piece. “Bichir is the second Mexican-born actor in history to be nominated in the Leading actor category. Anthony Quinn is the only other Mexican-born actor to be nominated in the Leading and supporting role categories.” That was in the early 1950s. WOW! We really are on a roll. Only half a century has passed and only one other actor has been nominated in a leading role.  A strong presence, ahi por favor (0h please).

The source of this phenomenon is not just the lack of actors in the nomination pool, but there is also a flaw in the nomination process. In a study conducted by the Los Angeles Times, “the Academy’s 5,765 members [are] 94% are Caucasian, 77% are Male, 14% are younger than 50, [and here's the real kicker], 4% represent minority voters, with Hispanics and African-Americans evenly representing their votes at 2 percent each.” Ok, I’ve moved on from being angry, I’m ready to take some action. ¡Órale!

So what does this mean for you?

You might ask yourself, “what can I do, I am only one person, I am a Latinita, and what change could I possibly make?” I’m glad you asked. Hollywood may be an all-boys club, and predominantly white. However we are not devoid of power. We can protest, we can boycott, we can raise awareness, and we can stop ignoring what is staring us in the face.

You don’t have to wait for Hollywood to change its mind. You can change it for them.

We need screenwriters, we need directors, we need producers, and we need actors! We need you more desperately than you think. As a culture, we watch stories that are not our own yet find some way to connect to them. Why is it so crazy that they won’t be able to connect to our stories? We need people changing the scripts and making more diverse casting decisions. We need to get our foot in the door first so we can knock that barrier down. ¡Hecha pa’lante!

It was not until last year that my own views on abortion began to change. A friend of mine made me realize just how important it is to have the right to make your own decision. I had always believed that abortion was immoral and cruel, and still to this day abortion would not be my decision. The reason that I am pro-choice is because even though abortion would not be my choice it is a decision I would like to make. I would not like to have the law tell me I can or cannot take control of my own body.

When comparing women to men, we draw the short end of the stick a little more often than men do. Women should have the ability to take control of their own bodies and even out the playing field by being able to do something about unwanted pregnancies. It is sometimes forgotten that it takes two to tango, and women are more often left with the burden of raising a child. If the guy is a jerk, it’s very easy for him to walk away from the situation. Sure the government makes them pay child support, but that is only a small amount of help needed in raising a child.

So many young girls are getting pregnant. As children themselves, they haven’t the slightest idea how to raise a child. Some girls are lucky enough to have their parents’ or family’s support and wisdom to help them along with having a child. What about those that don’t? I am seventeen and I remember freaking out after learning that baby bottles have to be boiled after washing to disinfect them or the baby could get sick. It is small things like that that make me know there is no way that I am old enough to be having a child. Also, I have seen how the psychological trauma of having parents who were too young when they conceived the child can affect the child. Often if the parents are young, there is a small resentment towards the child for being the reason they themselves missed out on normal experiences. This behavior is not healthy for the child and it might be better that the child isn’t born into a household like this. Some teen parents really do love their children and are great parents, but nonetheless they were not prepared for the child.

Making abortion illegal does not mean that abortion will suddenly disappear. It only means that abortion could be potentially dangerous for women. Outlawing abortion means that there could be back alley clinics that are not sterile and safe. Drugs are illegal but that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there. The safest thing for women to do is to take birth control. If schools and parents educated their children more when it comes to birth control and made it more available to young girls, there could be less teen pregnancies. MIT researchers found, “only 5 percent of women who need contraception are not using a form of it. However, they account for 47 percent of the 3 million unwanted pregnancies that occur each year in the U.S.” If more sexually active women used birth control more regularly, that number could be reduced. Now, I do believe that abortion should not be used as a form of birth control.

Although morally abortion still goes against my principals and the way I was raised, I would never dream of taking this option away from any woman. I do not know their circumstance or situation. This topic is not just black and white; there is a lot of grey area. I do not believe it is right to tell women that they cannot take control of their bodies. That is the choice they have to make, and there should be a choice.

By Ytzel Monae McDaniel