Celebrating Black History Month offers us an important opportunity to recognize the many achievements and contributions that African Americans have made. It’s a time to honor African American leaders who had the courage to challenge inequities, strive for excellence under any circumstance, and blaze a trail for generations to come. In this article series, throughout February, we hope to educate, engage, and empower our community by learning more about the Black experience in America.
Macaulay Honors student Tiffany Rodriguez ’25, a Political Science major and winner of the 2022 Malcolm/King Award, knows the valuable role diversity can play in education. Growing up in a predominantly white town in Long Island, New York, she was one of the few Latinx students in her school. “There was really no one like me in the schools I went to, so I had to pave a way for myself throughout my educational journey,” says Rodriguez. “John Jay has been the most diverse educational institution I’ve been part of in my academic journey. It’s the first time in my life where classes are filled with predominately people of color. The Honors Program at John Jay is also extremely diverse. My Macaulay class is composed predominantly of brilliant young women of color who inspire me everyday. Even my mentors here are like me and understand the obstacles that I had to overcome to get here because they have been through it themselves.”
Hoping to take the empowerment she feels at John Jay out into the world, Rodriguez aspires to become a lawyer and help shape policies that uplift and champion communities of color. “It’s important to pave the way for the next generation by shaping local policies that support our communities. We deserve to thrive.” We connected with Rodriguez to learn more about how she celebrates Black History Month and how she hopes to advance diversity in the future.
How do you celebrate Black History Month and why is it important for you to celebrate it?
I’m celebrating Black History Month by reading a book called Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge. I also follow and support Black artists on Instagram and listen to Black music artists like Kanye West, J.Cole, and Labrinth all year round. I find it outrageous that there is only one month where we celebrate Black history and the accomplishments of Black people in this country. They should always be celebrated. I feel the same way about Hispanic Heritage Month. These monthlong celebrations may “end” but we never stop being people of color. We never stop being discriminated against.
Our struggles don’t just stop, they continue to the next generations. We pass along our skin colors, hair types, languages, and traditions with such beauty and grace only for it to be respected for one month out of the year. My last name will never stop being Rodriguez. My first language will never stop being Spanish. I am proud every day and will be until the day I die. In every class, I’ve heard students of color feel the same way about their heritage and background.
“When I’m in a white space, I only feel comfortable when there are other people of color in the room with me. We understand the struggle. We are in this fight against racism together.” —Tiffany Rodriguez
Do you see a link between the struggles faced by African Americans and Latinx people in this country?
I find that the struggles African Americans and Latino Americans face can be different at times, but there is an intersection and an understanding between the two groups. Both groups know that by being people of color we carry a heavy weight on our shoulders. For instance, when I’m in a white space, I only feel comfortable when there are other people of color in the room with me. We understand the struggle. We are in this fight against racism together.
As someone who has seen her Colombian father face racial injustices, I’m aware of colorism and racism and I want to fight against these issues. In every grade, I saw my father experience an act of racism. Whether it be an attack on him, or an attack on the both of us, I saw the world people of color face every day, especially darker people of color. My father was my hero growing up so of course I would be affected when I would hear or see this happen to him. When I was little I would get scared, but now I just get angry. People judge my dad based on his skin color and not “by the content of [his] character”, a wrong I hope to right for all people of color in my future career in law. He is the reason I advocate so much for racial equality. He may forget at times, but I am so proud to have a dad like him.
What African American leader, alive or deceased, has made the biggest impact on you and why?
I’ve been learning more about Civil Rights activist Angela Davis and her story has had a profound impact on me. After reading her book Are Prisons Obsolete? I realized how our prison system targets Black and Latino individuals. If you look at the numbers, it’s clear to see they’re disproportionately represented in the prison system.
If you could talk to Angela Davis, what would you ask her?
I would want to get her advice on how to unify people behind movements that promote the advancement of people of color; especially how to unify Gen Z. We’re the most diverse, progressive, educated, and technologically connected generation by far. With a single push of a button, we can get hundreds of people to look at a post on Instagram. Imagine what we can accomplish by working together and promoting our causes on bigger platforms. We have the power to get involved in government processes, to change policies and legislation for the advancement of communities of color.
