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School experience - I went to school in the South Bronx my whole life, so my learning was shaped by those who taught me. Since I was taught in an environment where there are a lot of people of color, I learned from people who had similar perspectives as me. Therefore, our perspectives are influenced by the poverty, discrimination, and unequal opportunities people of color have.

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Do you think the government should have a say in what is taught or discussed in schools?

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Do you think the government should have a say in what is taught or discussed in schools?

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I think schools should have a national regulation to make sure every part of history is taught and that the curriculum is actually good quality. Right now, some schools leave out important events or only teach one side of the story, which isn’t fair to students who deserve to know the full truth. If there were national standards, every student would learn the same accurate and complete history, no matter where they live. A focused and high quality curriculum would make sure we’re learning what we actually need for the future, not just memorizing useless facts. This would create a more educated and open minded generation that can think for themselves and understand the world better.

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My view with America's foreign affairs - From the Vietnam War that I learned about in school, I understood that sometimes the best way to handle a situation is by not intervening. The United States has a history of meddling in certain situations that ultimately made things worse. (I’m in the picture smiling in fear because of Trump’s actions regarding this conflict)

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Should America get involved in Israel/Palestine?  If so, how?

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Should America get involved in Israel/Palestine?  If so, how?

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I don’t think America should have gotten involved in the Israel/Palestine conflict because it’s not our business, and it’s only made things more complicated. This is an issue between two groups with deep historical and cultural ties to the land, and the U.S. doesn’t fully understand that. By taking sides, America has only fueled more anger and resentment, making peace even harder to achieve. It also puts American lives and resources at risk when we have our own problems to deal with at home. It would have been better to stay neutral and let them solve their issues on their own terms.

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Living in The Bronx - Crime in the Bronx is still high and that influences how I think the system should be handled to support personal improvement of any one’s mental health, addiction, the racial bias many go through. (a crime being committed below…and yes those skinny arms are Sinyia. Don´t know why but she is the victim of my photos today)

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The women in my life - I have family members who have had complicated pregnancies and have struggled immensely with their journey being pregnant. So this builds my opinion of this being a more medical issue than a personal opinion. Anyone could have the opinion that abortions should be illegal, but that undermines the medical autonomy of a woman. (The picture is of some of the girls in my family in the 90s plus a random uncle of mine)

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My Environment - I think I am influenced a lot by the environment I grew up in. I saw first hand the struggles of being poor, and how hard it is trying to live with what little money my family has. Growing up the way I did, with people in similar situations as me, molded my perspective of the economy in the country.

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Growing up with Trump as President before - My political experience encompasses the extreme acts of Donald Trump and his values that are very…questionable. I think this country needs a break from those extremist views so they can see that he was doing more harm than good.

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Friends - I have a lot of friends that identify as LGBTQ+ and because of that it has shaped my view of people who identify as such…I always thought that it wasn’t that deep. People like what they like and they follow their hearts. No one should have a say to dictate how that can be changed or altered, since the heart wants what it wants. (Yes that is Sinyia one of my friends a part of this group)

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My personal health - Personally I see the poor quality health care in the Bronx. When I would get sick frequently it would take forever to try and figure out what was wrong, and getting access to higher quality healthcare was extremely difficult. This influenced my outlook on healthcare a lot.

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How would you describe what criminal justice reform would look like?

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How would you describe what criminal justice reform would look like?

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I think a good criminal justice reform would focus on fairness and rehabilitation instead of just punishment. Based on history, harsh sentencing laws like the War on Drugs have mostly hurt minority communities and haven’t really stopped crime. It would be better to focus on rehabilitation programs that help people turn their lives around, like education and job training for prisoners. We also need to address racial bias by making sure police practices and sentencing are fair for everyone. Investing in mental health and addiction services could keep people out of the system in the first place. A smarter and more compassionate approach would make communities safer and reduce the prison population.

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Would you approve of government run, universal health care?  Why or why not?

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Would you approve of government run, universal health care?  Why or why not?

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I think there should be a good compromise for healthcare in this country. Like having a public option that is provided by the government would be the best middle ground solution. This would let the government offer a health insurance plan that competes with private insurance companies, so people could choose whichever works better for them. It keeps private insurance in place for those who want it but also gives an affordable option for people who need it. This way, more people could get the healthcare they need without completely getting rid of the private market, creating a good balance between choice and accessibility.

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Do you think the government is doing enough to help the economy or are they doing too much?  Explain.

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Do you think the government is doing enough to help the economy or are they doing too much?  Explain.

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I think the government isn’t doing enough to help the economy right now because Trump’s new policies are making things worse. His tariffs on imports are making everything more expensive, which just adds to inflation. With all the tax cuts and spending, the national debt is getting out of control, and that’s going to cause problems later. Also, he’s changing so many regulations so fast that businesses don’t know what to expect, which could make them stop investing. Plus, his strict immigration policies are hurting the labor market, which could slow down economic growth even more.

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I am pro-choice because this country is built on freedom and the right to make our own decisions, so a woman should have the freedom to decide what happens to her own body. It’s about having control over your own life and future, which is a basic right everyone should have. Also, pregnancy isn’t just a simple choice for everyone, there are serious medical risks that can come with it. If a woman’s health is in danger, she should have access to safe medical options without government interference. Making abortion illegal wouldn’t stop it from happening, it would just make it more dangerous. It’s about trusting women to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.

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I think people of any sexual orientation should be left alone because it’s their life and their choice. This country is supposed to be about freedom and letting people make their own decisions, so no one should be judged or treated differently for who they love. It doesn’t hurt anyone, so why should anyone else care? We need to have more of a “mind your business” mindset because no one has the right to control someone else’s life. In the end, respect and acceptance would make the world a better place for everyone.

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Do you identify with a particular political party?  Who would you have voted for in the 2024 Presidential election?  Why?

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Do you identify with a particular political party?  Who would you have voted for in the 2024 Presidential election?  Why?

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I consider myself a Democrat and a liberal because I believe in the values of freedom, equality, and compassion. For me, it’s about ensuring that everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need, especially marginalized communities. I believe in the government’s role in protecting basic rights like healthcare and education, which is something I see as a core responsibility. I voted for Kamala Harris because, as a person, I feel she has better moral values and is committed to making the country more equitable, even if her plans weren’t perfect. Her tax plan, supported by economists, was the better option for the country because it focused on fair taxation and addressing inequality. I see her leadership as principled and grounded in a desire to improve the lives of all Americans.