Good Citizenship

An Expression of Good Citizenship
by

As a candidate for school board, my most frequently asked question (or at least) so far has been, “What motivated you to run for school board?”

I answer the same way, every time. “It’s because I am a mom”, Then I add ” And because I aspire to be a good citizen and I find candidacy and public service as an expression of good citizenship.”

Short answer: it matters to me personally.

To me “mom” is an action word. and we must all recognize the great political will of mothers and caretakers in general in this country.

At the time of the American Revolution, mothers pleaded with their sons to fight and put sweat equity into freedom.

Mothers often, handmade, their sons’ uniforms, their flags, packed their bibles, packed their food, and gave them their first marching orders “Make sure you come back, you hear me”.

They said a red white and blue prayer when their boys dressed like men, hit that door. Since the birth of our nation, parents sacrificed all for a place that was yet to be, still an idea: The United States of America.

Those ideas matured into a country where I can be a “Mom Candidate”.

And as a “Mom Candidate”, who has the privilege of actively co-parenting my 2nd grader in 2 languages. I stand on the shoulders of America’s early mothers, in shiny black sensible stilettos but with a buttoned collar of course, attempting to embody their sense of hope, for our nation, today.

On the eve of the Presidential election surveys reported 10% of women and non-binary people indicated not planning to vote, and that number increased by 3% to 13% amongst women who were caregivers or people with children ages 3 to 11.

As a “Mom Candidate” I am actively working to provide an example, it’s possible to be politically involved, and it’s relevant.

Telling working-class mothers that I’m a candidate, and that “I am goin’ for it” as my mother would say, is invigorating.

A lot of times their eyes light up. And the thought flashes with a smile, How dare I?

Abandon the wash for going door to door to try to engage my neighbors in political conversation and then further ask, during dinner time, for them to vote for me?

I dare, because women were granted “school suffrage” in 1880 in New York State. And for 145 years women “have had a say in education”. I aspire to contribute to that legacy, as a school board member. Once elected, I will be the first Latina ever to serve on the Buffalo Public School Board in the history of my hometown, Buffalo, New York.

Short answer: I want to help.

So, now that I have announced, I’ll be knocking on doors here in Buffalo to ask for the confidence of my neighbors with their vote, with my son in tow. I will be arguing that it’s critically important now, because nearly 18% of people in the U.S. are mothers with kids under 18.

My son has been right behind me, hearing about my passion for food justice, for supporting teachers and our students, and about my community service record. When we go out to ask for signatures to earn a place on the ballot, he will see doors open and he will see doors close and remain shut, but I think, in those moments it will be equally powerful for him to see us, press on.

Not just for us, but for the mothers who sewed the first flags, and I hope they would be proud of me, and him.

Democracy is taught, and as Americans, we can impact our future, and if you have to, bring your kids, proudly. And if you’re like me, give them a mic, because this democracy is alive and lots of us are in second grade with big dreams.

If you want to learn more about my journey as a school board candidate, email the campaign at Taliaforbps@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook at Talia Rodriguez For Buffalo School Board – West District.

Talia Rodriguez is a bi-racial, bi-cultural, and bi-lingual Latina from Buffalo. Ms. Rodriguez’s mission is to write about Latina’s, who have shaped the face of our city and our region. It is Ms. Rodriguez’s believes that our own people should inspire us and in telling our collective stories, we push our community forward. Ms. Rodriguez is a community advocate and organizer. She is a 5th generation West Sider, a graduate of SUNY Buffalo Law School, and an avid baseball fan. She lives on the West Side with her young son A.J… Ms. Rodriguez sits on the board of several organizations including the Belle Center, where she attended daycare. Ms. Rodriguez loves art, music, food, and her neighbors. You can send your comments or questions to talia.rodriguez.716@gmail.com.