Just a few weeks ago, many hundreds of people from across the Inland Empire and California joined us in downtown San Bernardino for the unveiling of a statue honoring civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks. It was a truly inspiring event that honored an amazing woman that now has her permanent rightful seat at the entrance of the Rosa Parks State Memorial Building. There is no doubt that her legacy lives on today and — as we are now at the end of Black History Month — we continue to be reminded of the tremendous struggles that African Americans have overcome, as well as the path that still lies ahead until we reach true equality and justice for all.
In thinking about that struggle, I am confident that current and future generations of women are also ready to step up and lead when the time comes. Since I was sworn into office in 2014, I have had countless conversations with young girls and women at schools and public events in the Inland Empire where they have told me that some media and entertainment depictions of women, specifically minority women, are not particularly inspiring or positive. I agree and commit to continue working hard to change that reality.
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The Board of Equalization got the last laugh on a gas tax increase Over the recent Presidents’ Day Weekend, I was proud to host a free screening for over 100 young people of the recently released Black Panther movie that already shattered box office records. Many attendees in the diverse crowd of students, parents, and community members that enjoyed the morning screening of this great movie told me afterwards that they loved seeing a movie that truly celebrates female empowerment, particularly aimed at encouraging African American girls and women. Hollywood does not always do a great job of releasing movies geared toward the mass market that strengthen and highlight leading roles for people of color, so I was very pleased that this successful event was able to inspire so many students from across my Senate district.
As the state Senator representing the 20th State Senate District, I firmly believe that — among my many diverse legislative and community responsibilities — I must do all I can to inspire future generations to pursue their goals and reach for the stars. Young people of color, in particular, need and deserve to see role models on the big screen and in every arena that portray similar people in positive ways. After all, California’s strength lies in our diversity of thinking, people and experiences.
State Sen. Connie M. Leyva, D-Chino, represents the 20th Senate District.
Just a few weeks ago many hundreds of people from across the Inland Empire and California joined us in downtown San Bernardino for the unveiling of a statue honoring civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks It was a truly inspiring event that honored an amazing woman that now has her permanent rightful seat at the entrance of the Rosa Parks State Memorial Building There is no doubt that her legacy lives on today and as we are now at the end of Black History Month we continue to be reminded of the tremendous struggles that African Americans have overcome as well as the path that still lies ahead until we reach true equality and justice for all In thinking about that struggle I am confident that current and future generations of women are also ready to step up and lead when the time comes Since I was sworn into office in 2014 I have had countless conversations with young girls and women at schools and public events in the Inland Empire where they have told me that some media and entertainment depictions of women specifically minority women are not particularly inspiring or positive I agree and commit to continue working hard to change that reality Related Articles Iran persecutes Christians so why won’t President Trump welcome them to America How pensions are clobbering small California cities like Santa Cruz Stay away from Lake Mathews Californians California bill offers phony solution to fake news problem The Board of Equalization got the last laugh on a gas tax increase Over the recent Presidents’ Day Weekend I was proud to host a free screening for over 100 young people of the recently released Black Panther movie that already shattered box office records Many attendees in the diverse crowd of students parents and community members that enjoyed the morning screening of this great movie told me afterwards that they loved seeing a movie that truly celebrates female empowerment particularly aimed at encouraging African American girls and women Hollywood does not always do a great job of releasing movies geared toward the mass market that strengthen and highlight leading roles for people of color so I was very pleased that this successful event was able to inspire so many students from across my Senate district As the state Senator representing the 20th State Senate District I firmly believe that among my many diverse legislative and community responsibilities I must do all I can to inspire future generations to pursue their goals and reach for the stars Young people of color in particular need and deserve to see role models on the big screen and in every arena that portray similar people in positive ways After all California’s strength lies in our diversity of thinking people and experiences State Sen. Connie M Leyva D-Chino represents the 20th Senate District