Oakland Activism Stemming from the Roots by Linh

Oakland Activism Stemming from the Roots by Linh - May 2023 Scholarship Essay

Oakland City Hall, April 2020. I met with Oakland City Councilmembers Loren Taylor and Rebecca Kaplan on a potential co-sponsorship of Oakland Youth Vote legislation to place a measure on the November 2020 ballot that would give 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in school board elections. With their agreement, we made history by getting a unanimous vote to put it on the ballot.

I’ve been outgoing and talkative since I was a child, and it continued to be my best trait throughout high school. It led me to leadership opportunities where I discovered my current position as OUSD Board of Education Student Director. I have a passion for politics and making change through community activism. I am working on passing a resolution to implement the State Seal of Civic Engagement in my school district by May 2023 to incentivize students to get involved in their local government.

Being a public affairs major will open up opportunities in my interest in politics and community activism, which would provide me with a deeper understanding of government, politics, and policy-making. Furthermore, with my current work on passing a resolution to incentivize student civic engagement in local government aligns with the goals of a public affairs major, which can help students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in effective civic and political action.

With my acceptance into UCLA's public affairs program, I am eager to delve deeper into subjects such as political science, public policy analysis, and public administration. The interdisciplinary nature of this major will provide me with a well-rounded education, enabling me to analyze complex policy issues and engage in effective decision-making processes. Ultimately, I aspire to utilize the knowledge and skills gained from my studies to drive positive change at both the local and national levels. Whether becoming a future lawyer or becoming a public policy analyst, I wish to incorporate the things I’ve learned and carry them with me for the rest of my life.