Diego Sepulveda

Name: Diego Sepulveda Location: Huntington Park, CA I am Diego, a dreamer waiting for a green light at the intersection of Struggle and Hope. You see, I am a queer, undocumented, first-generation Chicano college student at UCLA. I’ve worked two full-time jobs while going to school in order to make it, to be the first in my family to get a college degree, to be representative of the chance my parents never had back in their homeland. I am a soul-searching activist full of intersecting identities wanting to break free of oppression and hate, to create the change I’d like to see in society. I am a role model for my 12 year-old sister who dreams of attending Harvard. Though my older brother dropped out of school because of his status, I am his dream for a just and fair society that triumphs education for all.

A little about me

I came to the United States on the day of my birthday, at the age of four, with nothing but aspirations, dreams, and hope. I grew up in Downtown Los Angeles not having the much – I didn’t have the fanciest toys, the flashiest shoes, or the coolest style – but I did have a roof over my head, food on the table, and a diligent understanding that my mom was a fighter for my family. While in high school, I battled with thoughts of dropping out and going to work due to the fact that I was undocumented, but a teacher told me that education was and is a transformative tool to create socioeconomic mobility for my family and community. I’ve worked multiple jobs and have gone through sleepless nights to help my mother sustain our family while attempting to succeed academically. Now that I’m in college, I strive to be the best that I can be for myself and my parents and prove to others who told me I couldn’t do it that, guess what, I did it and will continue to do so. After receiving my UCLA degree that I’ve worked for my entire life, I want to go to law school and become an immigration lawyer. I believe that I am an agent of change that will transform the course of life for thousands of families stuck in the limbo due to their citizenship status. I am part of the solution. I am me.

I would describe myself as a

commenter

Why I deserve a Netroots Nation Scholarship

I believe that I deserve the Netroots Nation Scholarship because I do not just talk the talk, but walk the walk. I’ve taken part in a hunger strike to pass the federal DREAM Act, a piece of legislation that would grant undocumented students with a pathway to citizenship. I’ve organized an event with Congresswomen Judy Chu -- in which we raised more than $7,000 -- in order to address the intersectionalities between the undocumented and LGBT community. I have co-authored a resolution to institute a DREAM Caucus, which will represent the undocumented community on college campuses, within the United States Student Association (USSA), the largest and most inclusive national organization that represents over 4 million students in the country. Apart from institutionalizing the undocumented voice on the national level, I am the first undocumented student to sit as a board of director for USSA. Therefore, because of the struggle and organizing that I’ve pushed through, I was featured on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer. My life’s work is about using advocacy as a tool to break barriers that have systematically oppressed communities in this country. Nevertheless, I do the work I do because I have a passion to change the world and make my parents proud.

The blogs I use most are

DREAM ACTIVISTS: Undocumented Student Action & Resource Network
Black and Pink: LGBT Youth in the Industrial Prison Complex

What first inspired me to get involved

As an undocumented student, not being able to obtain a driver's license and receive loans and financial aid to fund my education has motivated me to advocate for policies that would provide me with an affordable and access education. What motivates me the most is seeing my parents work in factories for more than twelve hours a day in order to provide our family with shelter, put food on the table, and help me fund my education at UCLA. I understand that just because I've made it into such a prestigious university does not mean that every student who has the potential has. My inspiration to be politically involved also arises from the passion to demolish the systematic barriers that keep different communities in a state of oppression.

How I've gotten others involved

The most effective way that I've humanized any issue and gotten people to care and actually do something about the injustices in our society is by sharing my story. I am a queer, undocumented, first-generation Chicano college student and always share my experience because I believe that every voice counts. I also believe that every person has the potential to change the course of this country. Also, through my appearance on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, thousands were able to hear my voice and understand my struggle. I discuss this because people have spoken to me and told me that I've encouraged them to say their undocumented, but most importantly, unafraid! Many of the people that I've shared my story with have gone on to take part in hunger strikes, lobby in Washington D.C., and form organizations on their respective high school and college campuses that address issues affecting them.

The blog post I am most proud of

My mother's.

Why I think participation in the blogosphere is important

Participation in the blogosphere is of ultimate essence because we live in a society that uses online media as the most effective way of communication. Not only that, but the blogosphere world facilitates a discourse of self-expression that has the potential to reach a mass group of people and inspire them to become advocates for issues they are passionate about.

More about my involvement with DFA and local work

Though I do not have direct involvement with my local DFA, I believe that democracy is expressed in different forms. The commitment that I have to social justice issues is the epitome of what democracy is -- the right to voice my opinion and champion the ideals of a just society.

More about my volunteer work

I have been involved with LA CAUSA Youthbuild, a progressive organization that takes students who have dropped out of college and places them in an academic program to receive their GED or high school diploma. This organization operates under the tenet of direct-action organizing to address the issues affecting our society and fosters socioeconomic mobility through education. As an undocumented student, I have gone to Washington D.C. and Sacramento to lobby our congresswomen and men on the DREAM Act, a piece of legislation that would provide me with a pathway to citizenship. I am the first undocumented student to sit on the United States Student Association, the largest and most inclusive organization that represents over 4 million students in the United States. I am the Advocacy chair for IDEAS at UCLA, a support and advocacy group for undocumented students on the local, state, and national level. For the past year I was the National Affairs Co-Director for the External Vice President's Office at UCLA. We lobby for the needs of students at the local, state, and national level. Our campaigns this past year have been Jobs with Justice, the DREAM Act, Queer Issues, and work with the federal and state budgets. As someone who identifies as Queer, and more specifically gay, I am working on the Uniting American Families Act which address the issues of bi-national couples. Why can't individuals in a queer relationship sponsor each other for citizenship?

My Twitter manifesto on online activism

First and foremost, I would say that activism takes different forms, whether it'd be online or out on the streets, and depends on the personality of an individual. This is what is beautiful about our society, we all contribute in different ways. Online ac

My suggested bumper sticker slogan

Queer, Undocumented, and Unafraid: Are you?

My idea for a cool new online action

Well, If i told y'all that I'd have no more tricks up my sleeves!