Selected interview transcript 

This interview transcript has been modified for clarity and conciseness.

Esta entrevista fue conducida en inglés. Para leer versión en español de las preguntas y respuestas, haga click aquí.

What brought you to the San Joaquin Valley? Is it where you want to stay? Why or why not?

I was born here because my parents and grandparents came. And I feel like I really want to stay because I think it would be cool to stay and build your community the way you want it to be. I think it would be very cool, specially since we know the people. 

What do you like the most about the community that you live in?

I would say the people because everyone is very family oriented. I think it is very cool that you can go anywhere and the person that you talk to it feels like your aunt and uncle. Everyone is close to each other. 

What do you value about your community and what do you find challenging in your community?

What I love about my community is the sense of community. For example, every year everyone would gather to watch the parade. It is something everyone in town does. I think it is very cool that everyone knows each other, and how close we are. 

I find it challenging that you are encouraged to dream big but also based on where we are, people push you down to have “realistic dreams”. They tell you like “you can just go to school”. I think that in bigger areas you have the luxury to explore a little more. I don’t mean to say we cannot do it here, but it is just that we don’t have the resources. 

If you were elected for office, like Major or County Board of Supervisors, and you had unlimited power to change anything in your community, what would be the top three things you would change? 

My very top would be funding more art programs. We have very creative people, but they don’t have an outlet. I have met very creative people that end up moving because they don’t find opportunities here.

The second would be more awareness in cultural differences. I think tolerance I very important. This community has people from all different places, and I think it would be very cool to feel represented in some kind of way.

Last, having more awareness for people’s mental health. Mental health is a very big thing, that is something that people don’t talk about. In certain communities’ people don’t talk about it. I would put a place that is safe, where people can talk about their problems because sometimes it is really hard to get somebody to listen. I would create a safe place for people.