Writing as Reflection

Writing For Change has been a great learning experience. I've always had a special interest in non-profit organizations and volunteer work. The skills that I've learned taking this class have given me a way to help local organizations (and possibly work for one later on!). It helps immensely to have a class that breaks down the requirements and conventions of documents in the non-profit sector. Other people may figure it out as they go, but I certainly prefer getting the overview in one semester!

The most helpful thing that I've gained in this class is the understanding that advocacy writing functions like any other technical writing. There are certain things that are expected of each document for each audience. Sure, it's more complicated than that when you start writing, but at it's heart, grant writing isn't really different from a job application--you want to use the language of the organization, you want to ask for funds in exchange for work, and you have to follow the instructions.

That makes it seem slightly less intimidating, right?

My favorite part of this semester, though, has totally been the blogging. Which is weird, since I've tried blogging before and wasn't such a fan. I think it's different since I'm writing about a specific experience, but more importantly, an important organization. El Zocalo is a young organization and I'm incredibly pleased to be able to represent them in blog form. Hopefully it has (and will continue to) spread some awareness (and gained support for) their organization.

As my schedule (and attention span) allows, I plan on continuing to write about the issues that face immigrants in Arkansas (and the rest of the United States), El Zocalo, and my advocacy writing (read as bleeding heart) experiences!

Words Matter

As you may have already heard, the Associated Press will no longer be calling people "illegal".

Although it is important for everyone to understand the power of words, I think it is especially important for us as writers.

This study from The National Hispanic Media Coalition found that non-latinos demonstrated much more negative opinions when responding to the term "illegal" or "illegal immigrant" than they did to the term "undocumented". Although neither are fully accurate, people are not illegal. By calling human beings "illegal", we are dehumanizing them. We're equating them with their actions, not their humanity.

As writers, we have influence over the material that reaches the public. Written word in particular is a concrete type of discourse that can shape the way that issues and populations are viewed and understood. From one writer to another, please keep in mind that your words matter! Be kind and respect the personhood of others.

(and as one writer to another, good luck with whatever you may be writing at the moment!)

Immigration Reform

One of the important aspects of El Zocalo's mission is to lobby and advocate for substantive immigration reform. This is especially important for Arkansas! Our immigrant population is growing and changing the population of Arkansas. This infographic from The Immigration Policy Center breaks down what that means for the state.



El Zocalo has signed onto the Reform Enforcement Caucus, which outlines the goals of several likeminded, immigrant advocate groups. This document addresses failures in the current system and suggests things to consider for meaningful reform. Highlights from the document are:

True reform means establishing a system that values migration, supports family unity, protects the rights of workers, promotes racial justice, ensures the health of our communities, and addresses the root causes of migration while preserving our basic American values. 

True reform must include a pathway to full citizenship for those currently living under threat of deportation as well as for those seeking to reunite with their families. Full citizenship means equal rights that include being a full participant in a free and vibrant society that works to promote and protect the rights and well-being of all. 

Legalization should aim to keep families together—including those family members who have had past contact with law enforcement. The pathway to citizenship should not become an excuse to further divide and criminalize immigrant communities

There are many places to find more information about specific goals and suggestions for immigration reform!
The Immigration Policy Center has tons of great information about immigration reform as well as health care, citizenship, and unemployment among immigrant populations.

The longer that the debate goes on, the more politicians come out for meaningful reform. Even conservative politicians, like Senator Rand Paul, have started to speak out against the penalizing focus of the system. Paul says:

“Basically what I want to do is to expand the worker visa program, have border security and then as far as how people become citizens, there already is a process for how people become citizens. The main difference is I wouldn’t have people be forced to go home. You’d just get in line. But you get in the same line everyone is in.”

Hopefully, we, as Americans will come to a consensus to help immigrants and treat them with the same dignity that we treat natural born citizens!

Who doesn't love public art?

Thanks to wonderful genius and classmate, Nicolle Boswell (who has her own blog about advocacy writing), I am taking an entirely different approach to my grant search.

I had been looking for a substantial grant that would meet the needs of an existing operating budget but, frankly, that's hard. Most foundations seem to want to fund fun things--things that they can post pictures of and tell cool stories about. Light bills don't really meet that criteria!

I also considered filling out an application for a grant from a local Catholic Charities organization, but I feel like El Zócalo has that one under control (they've received the grant before). It just didn't get my creative fire going, you know?

Then, Nicolle posted the link to the Inside Out Project and it was like I'd met my project soul mate. I love photography, I love public art, and I love raising awareness. I had seen the project before, but I had never thought about it as a way to increase immigrant visibility. I've emailed the organization to get more details about the process for initiating a project! While I wait, I'm focusing my grant search on public art projects.

I hope I can find something!