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Texas Rising, the Texas Freedom Network’s project to engage young people in the political process, relies on some incredible individuals doing great work on their college campuses and in their communities all across the state. We’d like to introduce you to some of these amazing young activists advocating for a better, more fair Texas.
Today we’re profiling Renee Rivas, a Texas Rising activist at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley.
What issues are you passionate about?
I’m very passionate about reproductive justice because the intersection of human rights and social justice is an important aspect of building stronger, healthier families and communities that can continue throughout generations. If uneven power dynamics are disrupted, real systemic changes to uplift communities is attainable.
Why does a project like Texas Rising matter to you?
A project like Texas Rising matters to me because I think it is crucial to have the younger demographic more involved in civic engagement. I’ve seen so many young people my age who are so ambitious and driven by the issues surrounding them and a project like this is definitely an avenue for them to explore and grow as activists and leaders within their communities.
What would an ideal Texas look like to you?
An ideal Texas for me would be a state that respects the diversity of its population and doesn’t feel threatened by the diversity and change. A Texas where instead of sheltering its youth it allows them to expand their minds and invests in their future and creative ways to help them succeed. An ideal Texas would make the rights of every Texan regardless of their socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, sex, gender, age, sexual orientation, equal without exceptions or loopholes that undermine these rights.
