By Aayanna D. Fonseca/reporter
Low-income communities littered with crime and with little police presence are expected to live with less, a Democratic state representative said.
Rep. Ramon Romero Jr. said in a speech Sept. 25 on NE Campus that south Fort Worth, his childhood stomping grounds, had to be the poorest in the area at the time. But he said he managed to beat the limits poverty had set for him after overcoming drug addiction and being a father of three by his senior year of high school.
Romero talked about the lack of diversity within political platforms.
“Not enough people are running for office or city council to make a change,” he said.
Hispanics had no representation, and with manipulated campaigns, it was nearly impossible for a minority to succeed in a bureaucratic race, Romero said.
With more than 24 years of political experience, Romero used his time as a neighborhood president to advocate for growth and prosperity within his divided home environment.
He encouraged those listening to identify their passions and fears, and to use those as motivation to vote as well as be a change to their communities, NE student Tanner Gibson said.
“It is important to know what’s going on in your community before you vote,” he said.
Romero said more women should get involved in the legislative field so that more women’s issues can be highlighted. Disregard for immigrant women, many of whom are trafficking victims or sex slaves, is a problem Romero would like to see addressed as well.
Minorities are deprived, abused and neglected, and the stigma will continue to spread until people take matters in their own hands to change the outcome of pure discrimination and desolation, Romero said.
“I will continue to serve my state and my district with passion,” he said, “until things change.”
