Scholars of Color- Patricia Vazquez Topete
What is Scholars of Color?
It is a platform in which scholars of color are purposefully celebrated. It’s a space where scholars of color are showcased front and center. It is a digital space where we feel empowered and resilient. Let us get to know each other. Let us cheer each other on AND show the world what we have to offer.
Let us now welcome Patricia Vazquez Topete to the Scholars of Color space!
Name: Patricia Vazquez Topete
Gender Pronouns: She, Her
What do you currently do for work and/or school?: I currently work in the State Government Sector in one of the largest civic engagement outreach campaigns for California.
Without positions or titles, how would you describe yourself?: I am a Mexican Guerrera who came to the United States at age twelve leaving a space where my body and my innocence had been sacrificed for the continuous success of the patriarchy. Growing up I was thought that to receive love I had to earn it with achievements something that I have been working towards deconstructing daily today. I am a Mexican writer and through my writing in Spanish I am able to share with the world things that simple words could not describe. I am someone who is constantly living between two lands and rediscovering which land and space she is choosing to live in. I am a Guerrera who is re-discovering her voice in a new land filled with other Guerreras and Guerrerox who are fighting for a space that values all human dignity, a space where love does not need to be earned, and every voice is a part of the decision making process.
What are you passionate about?: I am passionate about immigrant rights, building and lifting up the voices of others, I am passionate about developing creative spaces for community healing, I am passionate about developing a political system that is more inclusive of our diverse voices and stories…I am passionate about empowering sexual abuse survivors to step into their power and discover how valuable and beautiful they are.
Why is the representation of scholars of color important to you?: The representation of Scholars of Color is important to me because it brings light and attention to the stories of our communities that have not been shared or highlighted by the mainstream media. Scholars of Color have so much expertise to teach and so many stories that the world is in need of to experience collective healing, there are people who are waiting to hear and read a story that they could relate to.
If people are interested in getting connected to you, how can they?: I love connecting to other individuals who are interested in uplifting social, environmental, and economic justice issues to create real and tangible change. You can reach out to me at patriciavazqueztopete@gmail.com or by adding me on Instagram @Topete2005.
Anything else you would like us to know?: I love exchanging stories with other scholars of color so please please reach out and lets get to know each other. I would love to learn more about other Guerreras and Guerrerox who are currently doing the work!
Thank you Patricia for sharing space with us!
Stay tuned everyone for more Scholars of Color profiles. Interested in being showcased yourself? Please email the Scholars of Color team at scholarsofcolor@reclaimingyourhappiness.com and we will get back to you shortly.
