Cool Cat: Roberto Chavez

Interview by Star Diavolikis | Photos by Dang Hoang

Values can help define a person and how they appear to others. Some values people may hold are representing marginalized communities, fighting for human rights… and crocheting. Current history major Roberto Chavez holds all of these true to him.

He has been seen leading many different initiatives on campus, including the Parade of Nations, the MMIW march and participating in nearly every diversity-based event.

What is your cultural background?

My cultural background is Indigenous Mexican from Jalisco. Specifically, the Tecuexe and Cocoa tribes.

I'm also a first gen student and an immigrant. And I'm just trying to, you know, make a dream happen in America.

If you were able to land your dream job, what is it? And why is it your dream job?

I think my dream job would actually consist of two things. I would really love to be a professor of Indigenous Latin American cultures at a university in Chicago. And the other part would actually be like, starting like, not a podcast, but like some more social media information about Indigenous cultures and Indigenous issues that are happening in North America and South America.

Are there any big changes you'd like to see in the United States in the future?

Yeah, immigration reform for undocumented folks. And more land rights and water rights for Indigenous peoples in the Americas. And probably like, Hawaii, just getting its own independence would be another big one.

You’ve been seen leading like many activist, or diversity initiatives on campus, including the MMIW March and helping host the Parade of Nations. So, what motivates you for this?

Basically, I'm just tired of like, seeing the Indigenous peoples or marginalized groups are really seen as like, a small part of like America, and their issues are very, like just brush your shoulder and it's over.

I really want to give more of a voice to marginalized groups and sort of like, say, “Hey, our issues just aren't that simple. We were more than just like a prop for a candidate or for a college image or anything like that. We were people and we matter. And we need help. And if you're not going to help us, you will hear us.”

Have you been able to do anything outside of campus to help share your message?

Just little things that I can, like on social media or marching in Yakima, or Seattle, for Indigenous peoples or for immigrants, and that's what I can mostly think of off the top of my head.

What clubs, organizations or departments are you part of here on campus? And then what messages have you drawn from working with them?

I currently work at the Diversity and Equity Center and I was president of NASU. And what I've learned about both of these jobs is communication. And a common uniting theme is extremely important when you want to support a cause.

Do you have a secret talent or life that others don't know about?

Yeah. Two things. I like crocheting. But I also take some boxing lessons. So, it's, I just like to say that I'm very patient, because learning both skills takes so much time.

What got you into crocheting?

Honestly, I was just having, like, terrible panic attacks, like to where I would just like freeze up and just have a hard time breathing. And I had a mentor, and she told me like, “Hey, have you ever thought about crocheting?” And I was like, I don't even know, like, where to start. And she got me my first fabric and my first like, needles. And, you know, just that's where the hobby started. It’s like a necessity to calm down and take life as easy as I can.