Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future
Thurgood Marshall once said, “Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.”
This quote resonates with the way I move and will move on throughout the world and how I plan to continue living my life, with purpose, courage, and advocacy.
In high school, I began to learn more about myself and discovered a passion for history, especially the civil rights movements and landmark cases where people courageously fought for justice. I also came to understand the transformative power of education and how it can open doors to the future one can envision.
At first, I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to pursue college, but one thing was clear: I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. I’ve always been drawn to issues of equality and uplifting others, especially in marginalized communities. Understanding that everyone deserves the same opportunities as the person sitting next to them helped me realize that I have the power to shape my own future, and help others do the same.
“Jean, when did you truly define your sense of freedom?” It was when I voted for the first time.
You might say, “Jean, everyone has the right to vote.” And that’s true. But what made this moment so powerful for me was knowing what it took to get there. People, especially
Black Americans and other people of color, fought, protested, and even died for the right to vote. In 2024, while interning with “El Pueblo. Inc,” a lobbying and advocacy firm in North Carolina, I helped create videos and posts encouraging people to vote and explained why their voice matters. The other interns of that organization and I registered voters, shared resources, and emphasized that change begins with participation.
The act of voting itself, walking into the polling place, marking that ballot, and knowing that my voice was being heard, was the most powerful and freeing experience I’ve had so far. I wasn’t just casting a vote; I was honoring generations of struggle and standing up for the values I believed in. While I know other people may disagree with my choice, I voted with my heart, ethics, and my hopes for a better, more loving, and progressive future. That is freedom to me.
Over time, my understanding of freedom has evolved. At first, I thought freedom was just about doing what you want. Now, I realize it’s about having the opportunity to make a difference, to stand up for others, and to move through the world without fear, something many people do not have the opportunity yet to do. Freedom is action and it's my responsibility to speak up and pass it on.