Fair warning to most of you that might read this: this post may sound repetitive to DREAM Activists that advocate for Dreamers to “come out of the shadows” and educate others through your personal stories in order to start taking action already.

For the longest time, I was one of those that would wholeheartedly educate and advocate for the DREAM Act, but would never share my personal story and struggles of being undocumented. At least not in front of meetings of student run or youth-led organizations. The few times that I did share my story was mainly among friends whom I have known for quite some time. It was not until this year, when I began meeting more and more advocates and allies, that I began to do so. However, there is an instance that comes to mind when I witnessed an immediate change in a room full of allies.

Just a few weeks ago, I was stressed out and frustrated that nothing would be agreed on at any of the meetings of an organization that centered around the DREAM Act, one that is largely made up of youth that are documented. Plans would be pushed back each week, everybody disagreed on everything, nothing was getting done, and I had honestly reached my boiling point. I stood up in front of everybody, blurted out my frustration, shared my personal narrative from beginning to end, and held each and every person accountable for their commitment to themselves and each other. The change in the room was like day and night. Every body’s expression in the room changed and I felt a huge burden lifted off my shoulders. I was able to sigh a sigh of relief, and in that moment, I felt empowered and fired up, and it felt great! People began to listen to each other, not talk over each other, and progress was being made.

While this is occurring at school, the situation at home is utterly different. I come from a family of mixed citizenship statuses, and even within my own family, many things are left unsaid. There are unnecessary tensions, stemming from a variety of sources and reasons (both related and unrelated to immigration status) that linger in the air and that, in turn, only create more tensions. My parents and aunts, even those that immigrated to the U.S., sometimes seem to have completely different outlooks on life, one that I could not (at least not at the moment) relate to. They are not very much aware of the youth- led activism, nor do they ever ask, despite me sending actions their way.

Nevertheless, through these and other events that have taken place over the last six years (from when I first learned about what it meant to be undocumented and a series of events that have led to my “self- realization”), I learned several things. I learned that despite me being afraid and at times ashamed (and even ashamed of being ashamed), there is a community that is eager to listen to what you have gone through. I learned that I need to stop apologizing for being undocumented and that I can make a difference as opposed to just nodding in approval. I also learned that although it may have taken me this long to do so, it is never too late to make your voice heard. So if you are waiting for your time, that time is now. I can no longer just be an advocate when my fellow undocumented peers are willing to go to great lengths to fight (i.e. walking hundreds of miles to educate and gain allies, marching to country’s capital, and putting themselves in danger) for the well- being of all of us. Consider the words of Rosa Parks as she says, “I am leaving this legacy to all of you … to bring peace, justice, equality, love and a fulfillment of what our lives should be. Without vision, the people will perish, and without courage and inspiration, dreams will die– the dream of freedom and peace.” Will you join us and get fired up?!

If you are ready to not just dream, but also act, register your event for DREAM Action Week here!