Street roots., January 27, 2017, Page 13, Image 13

Street Roots • Jan. 27-Feb. 2, 2017
Page 13
Commentary
Preserving a safe place for my community
BY LETICIA VALLE
If Planned Parenthood were defended,
immigrants and other members of the
have been a board m em ber of
community in the Columbia River Gorge
Planned Parenthood Advocates of
may have nowhere to go to access care.
Oregon for five months, I take the
Planned Parenthood is proud to see
work I do personally because my parents patients regardless of immigration
are immigrants to this country, I am also status.
...
a community health worker ,and health
While undocumented immigrants may
equity advocate a t a rural social services
not be able to access affordable health
agency, and we have many migrant
coverage through the marketplaces or
farmworkers who provide the labor
federally fended programs like Medicaid
needed to pick our fruit and vegetables,
— a harmful and unfair policy that
I have seen firsthand how challenging it
Planned Parenthood does not agree with
can be to access health care if you are
— people who are undocumented depend
not a citizen of this country,
on healthcare providers like Planned
I am proud to volunteer and support
Parenthood that are willing to work with
an organization that is working to
them to provide affordable, basic
address this need in the immigrant
primary and preventive health care.
community and that recognizes the
Defending Planned Parenthood would
connection between immigrant rights
strike a devastating blow to immigrants
and reproductive rights,.
who already have so much standing in
; There are so many harriers to health
their way to get care. Planned
care access for the immigrant
Parenthood is a safe space for my
community that result in negative health
community, and I commit to stand with
outcomes. Attacks on reproductive
Planned Parenthood to provide care no
rights would hit us the hardest T he
m atter w hat
ability to access preventive health care
Based in Parkdale, Leticia Valle is a
and stay together as a family are both
crucial parts of what it means to have a * Board Member of Planned Parenthood
Advocates o f Oregon and Manager of
happy and complete life.
Health Promotion Services at The Next
Currently, our ability to do both of
Door Inc.
these things is at risk.
C O N T R IB U T IN G C O L U M N IS T
■
"
Here We Stay
by Michone Nettles
While looking through these eyes
I see the world turn slowly
Around the corner of the universe, with stars peeking out
to see the moon’s craters winking and waving for attention
There are dark shadows that linger in the night skies
waiting for Jupiter’s return.
Love is in the air, th e universe and on Earth,
it has covered the whole span of life.
Knees are sore from prayers
going upward while we touch the ground with good faith.
Life is good, while being a miracle within itself.
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