The third and final piece in our partner series shares the story of Oscar Sanchez, an organizer from Chicago’s Southeast Side who recently ran for political office. It’s written and photographed by YR Media reporter Miranda Zanca, a student at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
The vision“When the people fight, the people win. Because if we’re not the ones deciding our future, then that’s being decided for us.”
Oscar Sanchez
The spotlightOscar Sanchez grew up in an immigrant family on Chicago’s Southeast Side. Everyone in the neighborhood knew someone living with the impacts of industrial pollution and environmental racism. Being low-income was a shared experience in a community where food pantries and thrift stores are considered essential services.
When you talk to Sanchez, you notice how often he uses the word “love.” The 25-year-old says he “constantly tries to show love and grace because I feel that we’re conditioned not to give that.” He loves people, and he loves the Southeast Side. Walk around the neighborhood with him, a... Read more
