by: Casandra Kate Escobar
Writer, LatinTRENDS.com
Mi Gente de LatinTrends! Economic strains have led business and government to cut down on many programs and eliminate others all together. Populations affected by cuts are the Latino students. Many readers may be affected or have siblings, cousins, or nephews/nieces affected.
Early this past June, a group of approximately 1000 students marched across the Brooklyn Bridge and ultimately marched to City Hall to be heard and seen by the Mayor. The students were protesting the cities decision to eliminate the Student Metro Card Program. The program provides 60,0000 Latino and African American students in specific zoning districts with free Metro Cards to facilitate commuting to/from schools. The elimination of the Student Metro Card would impose a $1000 yearly expense on families.
As a member of the Urban Youth Collaborative and through the use of social media, 16 year old Khaair Morrison was able to organize the group of 1000. The MTA and the City came into an agreement not to eliminate the program.
At such an early age, Morrison is already titled a youth activist and community organizer. Morrison’s areas of focus include: education, immigration issues, and juvenile civil justice; areas that deeply affect the Latino and African American student population.
The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (The “DREAM Act”), an organization Morrison is an active participant of, promotes the rights of alien minors. The federal legislation reintroduced the Dream Act in 2009. Though not finalized, in order to quality, the following requirements must be must:
- Must be between the ages of 12 and 35 at the time the Law is enacted
- Must have arrived in the United States before the age of 16
- Must have resided continuously in the United States for at least five (5) consecutive years since the date of their arrival
- Must have graduated from a U.S. High School, or obtained a General Education Diploma GED
- Must have “Good moral character
There are also other stipulations and terminations of benefits. For complete information on how to assist or qualify, visit http://dreamact.info/.
The youth at risk in NYC, is another group Morrison advocates. In NYC, 95% of the youth entering detentions are of Latino or African American decent. Working with the Youth Justice Board and The Center for Court & Innovations (CCI), Morrison and his team have put together an informational comic book explaining the process of the juvenile justice system and is now distributed to all youth arrested. The pamphlet outlines the juvenile justice process and is of a great aid to parents who are not English speaking and not aware of the process. Visit http://www.courtinnovation.org/_uploads/documents/comic_book.pdf
Already on the college circuit as a motivational speaker, Morrison is preparing himself to run for Mayor of NYC, in 2013, at which time he will be 19. Morrison proves to be a caring and giving leader of all people! Ultimately, the areas of education and reform impact our community and ecomony; good thing we have advocates ready to ensure the integrity of all rights.
