From fighting for crucial issues on street corners to educating students about historic governmental practices, social studies teacher Taylor Vivanco has dedicated his life to politics.
Vivanco has been involved in political organizing since high school and he addresses issues such as climate change, school safety, and war.
Vivanco first attended a political protest when he was a student at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. His friends and he were later inspired to collaborate and organize a protest at his school as well.
“Protesting is one of our constitutional rights and it helps make our voice heard to the government,” he said.
“It’s a good way to bring in people.”
After organizing different political events like marches and attending demonstrations in local areas, Vivanco believes that protesting is a good motivator to bring people together.
“One time, we did a march, and it started out a little small,” he said, “As we were marching, people kept joining as they were walking or driving by.”
“They saw us and they just wanted to come and join.”
Climate change and the future of the environment has greatly affected Vivanco’s positions on the election.
“For me, one of the big issues is climate. I want to be able to live on this planet in the next 50 years,” he said.
Other political topics like protecting students, wars, and global poverty are significant matters that Vivanco hopes the future president will acknowledge.
“As a teacher, I think making sure that our students’ rights are being protected as well our students are safe in school,” he said.
Vivanco is interested in political organizing and protesting because he believes our government should respond to every American’s best interests.
“There’s a lot of issues in our world and if our government won’t do what needs to be done and if we’re not voicing our concerns,” Vivanco said.
“We’re trying to get hundreds of people to send emails, protest and march. If we can push our government to try and address some of those issues.”
Vivanco encourages students to take a government class to educate themselves on political systems and the United States’ governmental history.
“If students figure out what issues you care about the most and then join something that is working to address those issues, you’re going to get a real experience organizing and trying to work to address issues.
“Participate and do what you can. The best way to learn about politics is joining an organization or club that is focusing on the issues that you care about.”
