Welcome to L.A. TACO’s new monthly education column, “The L.A. Public School Report.” If you have any story tips, send them to Janette@lataco.com for consideration.
When asking students in Southeast Los Angeles what they love about their community, most said they love that it is a friendly place where it feels like everyone knows each other. Where the señora at the corner store where you buy your chucherías (snacks) after school already knows you by name. However, in the midst of admiration for their city, they also recognize the environmental issues and changes that need to happen in order to ensure a healthy future for them and their families.
With an urge to get involved and do their part, students like Elizabeth Zamarripa, a senior at South Gate High School join groups like SELA Youth for Environmental Justice. A youth-led group in connection with Communities for a Better Environment (CBE) that runs action clubs in nine different schools.
The goal of the club is to empower youth to take action and transform environmental conditions in their communities which are predominantly communities of color. If you asked any of the students involved they’d tell you they are clear on their vision, they simply want to make sure their communities have access to basic necessities like quality water, air, and soil.
“The quality part is important because a lot of people think that because you have access to something that it’s enough, but no, we have to make sure that these resources are clean and good for our health too,” said Zamarripa after getting home from school.