Meet Maria Pilar Tudela, an "Abriendo las Cajas" and New Routes Leader

Maria Pilar or, as friends call her, Mapi is a leader and advocate in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland, CA.

When you arrive to the US you are automatically put into a category of race. It doesn’t really matter if you relate to it, or understand it. You are just in it and many people relate to you from it. This experience pretty much reflects for me what it means to be an immigrant anywhere. You have to learn how people see and understand life and then you negotiate, reject or adopt this, depending on your possibilities.

Where I come from, streets are a public space, full of people. Streets are not very dangerous because there are always people sitting on benches or plazas. I enjoy seeing children playing, seniors reading the newspaper, moms talking, couples hanging out, vendors, musicians, etc. There are less cars and public transportation is not very expensive to commute between neighborhoods. This gives a sense of community and makes cities safer.

Topics: Community Health, Immigrants, New Routes Leaders