President Biden visits LBJ Library in Texas to honor Civil Rights Act of 1964
When I first saw the news that Biden was headed to Texas I knew it was a room I needed to be in. At the time, two weeks ago, he was still very much in the race and I was determined to stay strong in support of him—in support of democracy and civility always. As many may have seen, I had the honor of being invited to the White House last Hispanic Heritage month. While Biden was scheduled to be there he, as presidents do, had a global emergency to attend to.
So, I went in his absence but was consoled in knowing I’d just seen him in weeks prior—thanks to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus who invited me as media (I asked) to cover his speech at their annual gala. I say all of this not as a brag, but as context as to why I am SO enthusiastically supportive of this administration.
What is not shown on TV is the very large amount of Latina leaders who work directly with our top officials every single day. Latinas who have attended Harvard, Stanford, Yale and beyond. Latinas who give their full intellectual property to this country. Latinas who are creating real lasting change and opening the door to other leaders like myself.
So when President Biden shows up to honor the Civil Rights Act, an act that inevitably changed every Latinas life for the better even if we don’t always feel it, I knew this was a direct fruition of what LBJ intended and a moment to truly soak in.
I went to cover the President, but I ended up meeting the best of Texas.
As someone who was born and raised in Texas, but has had the honor of living on the East and West Coasts, I can confidently say Texans are just built different.
Never mind obvious historical racism and segregation, which has led to a resilient people, Texans are Texas proud which in turn means Texans are American proud. So when being a proud American and waving the American flag becomes a symbol for past oppressions you can imagine how optics could get a bit confusing.
As any Texan will tell you, we’ve on the brink of “flipping” blue for the past few decades and I for one have hope that this could be year.
Why? For starters there are 800,000 Latinos turning 18 this year and when you combine African American and Asian Americans into that statistic the numbers reach 1.2 millon—when you look at the margins of the last election if even a quarter of that group voted Blue we’d take it.
I know it’s easy for people to lose hope when their day-to-day is showing them otherwise. I can speak directly to feeling othered the second I cross state lines, but I am also reminded that I am absolutely the best of Texas.
Let me explain…I care about my community, I smile at those I pass, I make chit chat with my local cashier, I stay curious about the world, and I exude confidence when I enter any room.
As I waited for President Biden to speak I took note of those around me, and as I gave every fierce woman who walked by a compliment they stopped to chat. They asked me where I was from, who I represented, and took interest in me—something that I’m usually on the giving end of.
That’s not to say others don’t take interest in conversation but Texan woman are sincere, if they say they care they mean it and I love that for us. Beyond the beautiful were the bold. I met a gen-z high schooler who had pitched themselves at encouragement from a teacher and made it in the door. They didn’t realize they had automatic-auditorium access and after I saw their badge I offered to walk them over.
After Biden spoke they made sure to come find me as we chatted about trying to celeb-spot. I was proud to have created a safe-space for them to feel comfortable in their environment as a first-timer because I remember the feeling well. My first Presidential coverage was in college when Obama visited Dallas, and I sat next to the top news outlets in the area. It was such a surreal moment I will cherish forever and being a citizen journalist has been the privilege of a lifetime—a privilege I have thanks to past presidential policies.
So when I think about how I will be choosing to spend my time over the next three months, it is a no-brainer that it will be in full support of Kamala Harris and this administration because I believe in my America, I believe in Texans, and I believe in keeping the American dream alive.
¡Si se puede amigas! Vote con ganas and be sure to triple-check that you are registered in vote.
Read about President Biden’s Supreme Court Reform announcement:https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/07/29/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-bold-plan-to-reform-the-supreme-court-and-ensure-no-president-is-above-the-law/. 📢
*the state of Texas requires you to mail in your form unless you are renewing your drivers license
