Looking back we are able to see how our movement has changed and grown throughout the years. Some, however, have stayed the same. This post is dedicated to the sheroes and heroes of our time who continue to help and inspire us as we defend our human rights.

5. The first hero is America. Why? If it wasn’t for the Anti-immigrants and Pro-immigrants many of us wouldn’t have joined the movement. Anti’s, your comments and racist laws have pushed us into action. A special shout out to the school staff that many times have traumatized us or helped us along the way. Thank you, your understanding, or lack thereof, towards education when it comes to undocumented youth has served as energy to find those missing answer to help others after us. America, your state and federal laws have made us more determined to organize. America you have taught me how not to be, to change what is wrong and to fight for what I believe in.

4. There is something that all of our stories have in common, whether you are documented or not, and that is our 4th s/hero of the day. The fourth s/hero of our movement is our struggles. Everyone’s stories mentions some sort of obstacle, pain and/or disadvantage. These battles are what bring us together. Talking or reading about overcoming life connects us in a way no one looking from the outside will understand; that’s why when someone shares their story for the first time we are able to cry with them without knowing them. The hardships we’ve faced have molded us and pushed us into activism activating this anger and hunger for change is something we all have in common thanks to our conflicts.

3. Now, once we have taken that initial step into activism while taking part in all these crazy events and late night meetings with our organization, there is more to do. With each year this movement has become more and more cyber friendly. There’s no way dreamactivist would have existed without the internet. Many youth hear about an event or meeting through facebook, twitter, youtube and more. Youth locked up in their rooms thinking they are alone who one day decide to google “undocumented” and find us are proof that the internet, and other electronics, are sheroes and heroes to our movement. How would we organize without gmail, facebook chat, skype and more? Even though we physically aren’t able to see each other, electronically we’re there for each other whenever we need someone to speak to who doesn’t judge and simply understands.

2. After seeing, reading and hearing thousands of stories from both documented and undocumented people it’s certain that we share similar inspirations and values. Common threads woven into each of our stories are: family, education, work, service and justice. If it weren’t for our shared values and inspirations I don’t think this movement would be where it is today and that’s why they are our top 2 s/heroes.

1. I bet when everyone started reading this post they started thinking of individuals who could be heroes because of their media publicity, years in the movement, actions they took part in and more. To actually raise successful movements those who have developed certain skills are suppose to teach others to build not dependant individuals but independent revolutionaries that can teach others, think and act for themselves after learning the required organizing skills. I understand that someone’s actions or words inspire one to take a stand for justice; however, that person is just like anyone else and if they feel superior to others, they need a privilege check. Everyone is a hero, everyone is a leader and there are no specific criteria to be accepted or recognized. Everything that is done for the movement, no matter how big or small, is just as valuable. Why idolize a “hero” who makes other’s work feel less appreciated or less important? Why idolize a “leader” that hogs the spotlight silencing the voices of all the other youth they work with? That totally goes against everything we stand for and want to demonstrate through our actions and words. Therefore, the number 1 s/heroes of this movement are each other.

-Angy