Politicians Got You Down? Here's What You Can Do

Financial Hurdles

Consuelo Hernandez shares her journey through the financial challenges she faced as a minority entering politics. She emphasizes the importance of financial independence and planning, especially for young people and minorities, to overcome systemic barriers. Consuelo recounts her personal struggles, such as having to scrape together gas money to attend volunteer events, and highlights the necessity of paid internships to break the cycle of unpaid labor in politics 1.

Learning, like, as Latinos, if we want to take back some power and work on policies that reflect our values, we have to get rid of some of the old ideas of being embarrassed about asking for help.

--- Consuelo Hernandez

She also discusses the need for multiple income streams, as local elected positions often don't pay enough to sustain a living, underscoring the importance of financial literacy and self-reliance 2.

   

Minority Representation

Consuelo Hernandez addresses the barriers minorities face in politics and the importance of representation. She acknowledges the existence of political "machines" that often exclude outsiders but insists that change is possible through perseverance and community support 3. Consuelo's success in passing legislation demonstrates that young, diverse voices can make a significant impact.

Even if you don't have an entire roster of people who are supporting you that are, like, the big people in the community, you can do it.

--- Consuelo Hernandez

Encouraging more young people to run for office, she believes that fresh perspectives can challenge outdated protocols and bring about meaningful change 4.