Now a second year MPP, Jacquie Ayala @jacquie_a offers us her background, insight on current events, and self-care:

Before coming to Sanford, I worked for 9 years as an organizer and spent time plugging activists into campaigns to advance clean energy policy. I also organized with black and brown community leaders against ICE and for police accountability (work that is still ongoing). I loved working with new activists because it helped me understand why people get involved in movements. Often folks came from tough circumstances and they are angry (I know I was), scared, or fed up. They also have hope that something better can come too.

The majority of COVID cases in Durham are Latinx. Latinx people are more likely to have respiratory issues like asthma, or other health conditions caused by environmental hazards. They are also more likely to be “essential” workers. Latinxs are afraid to seek critical care for fear of revealing their immigration status. It’s critical we understand how environmental injustice, poverty, health disparities, and racism are all interconnected. Unless we address the ways in which BIPOC at large are systemically disadvantaged, COVID-19 will continue to ravage our communities.

For self-care, I like to go on hikes with my dog Shadow! I’m also reading a lot, especially science fiction. Send me your book recommendations!” —Jacquie Ayala, MPP’21

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