Social Justice Speaker Series

Our recent social justice guest speaker, Rose Jacobs Gibson had a lot to share about her achievements and experiences here in the San Mateo County, as a former mayor of East Palo Alto, and her dedication to social justice outside of being a politician.  It's easier to criticize, than to agree with someones opinion or argument; someone will always yuck your yum, but humans were born with different taste buds. Personally, I thought as a mayor, you'd have a better presentation with speaking and your talk given. As freshmen college students, it is important that politicians or any public figures have engagement with the youth. Whether students were tired or not, I found it difficult to follow Ms.Gibson. Although, she has put in some work to accomplish various things such as rent control in her city. I found that interesting how she was able to establish a control of rent for residents of EPA, being a lower income city, I wouldn't think landlords would pursue to raise rent. Living in North Central San Mateo, it's become a popular neighborhood, Caltrain station a walk away as well as downtown, and parks, for couples and families. With the business boom in the  Bay Area and Silicon Valley, rent rates are increasing in this neighborhood, making it hard for families who already call i home to remain there. Remind you that, the neighborhood demographically is mainly latino and black. Just on my street, the house next-door was for sale, approximately at $1.3 million, which effects the whole neighborhoods appraisal to be significant. Rent control is something that should take the attention of the local government to help keep families in their homes. Other than that achievement she has made in EPA, she was able to aid in San Mateo County's gun policies regarding the youth possession of arms and gun violence. What I found ironic was these policies being issued to  limit the youths access is as a teenager myself, I know of other teenagers with guns and how they come in possession with them. Additional requirements to own a gun, for instance a license, background checks, certain firearms, etc. does not stop the youth from obtaining weapons. If you think about it, teenagers I know in possession of guns do not own licensed guns. How can gun policies take effect to decrease possessions, if they aren't acquiring them lawfully. There's always access to black markets or dealers to attain weapons, just as easy as it is to buy drugs. However, Gibson did draw my interest and curiosity as a mayor or in general a politician in local government.