| Erika |
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My goal as an activist is to support and generate hope for youth within my community, as well as throughout the nation. I feel that love and knowledge are key elements for transforming youth into a powerful, united voice and helps prevent them for becoming another statistic. Erika, 21, works with Advocates for Youth and the Texas Freedom Network as a member of the Texas Youth Leadership Council.
My goal as an activist is to support and generate hope for youth within my community, as well as throughout the nation. I feel that love and knowledge are key elements for transforming youth into a powerful, united voice and helps prevent them for becoming another statistic.To most people I am seen as that “youth in revolt.” Which is pretty much true, but I think it is what sets me apart from all those who remain in the shadows. My motivation to speak my mind and focus on youth rights comes from my family, especially my brilliant mother, who has taught me how to be the strong and independent woman I am today! My brothers and I were used to seeing teen mothers or young couples in unhealthy relationships amongst the kids growing up in our neighborhood. I guess you could say I thought everyone lived that way and it was normal. It wasn’t until one day my little brother asked me “what a penis was used for” and the best advise I could give him was google it!!! Then I realized that he was only 13 years old and already had an interest in sex. Situations like this made me realize how irresponsible and uniformed youth of my generation are, when it comes to sex. I am determined to one day succeed in promoting STD and HIV/AIDS awareness and lower the teen birth rate in Texas. Currently I am apart of the Texas Youth Leadership Council and advocate for comprehensive sex education in public schools. I have been working with the Texas Freedom Network and Advocates for Youth to pursue my goals in fighting for youth’s rights to gain knowledge regarding accurate and medically correct information about sex. I have also started the Texas Freedom Network Student Chapter at UTSA, where I lead, support, and work for students who share the passion of fulfilling the TFN mission. I LOVE WHAT I DO. |
I have lived in San Antonio all my life and attended a high school with limited sexual education. (And when I say limited I mean all that was offered was a required health class taught by the head football coach.) Socioeconomic issues, gender issues, and even culture really affected my perspective on what sex was to me as a young student. These factors are what push my curiosity to find out more about who I am as a Latina and a young “complicated” soul.