By Carter James, Editor in chief  

Rep. Terri Sewell, of Alabama’s 7^th congressional district, met with students from Minorities Achieving Dreams of Excellence (MADE) to talk about the importance of upholding diversity on college campuses.  

Students had the opportunity to ask Congresswoman Sewell about issues that directly impact their lives and how it relates to her work as a lawmaker.  

When asked about public education and job readiness, the congresswoman spoke about her daily fight for more resources and better opportunities in the house of representatives. “It’sa hard fight because while we’re not poor as a nation, the pot is limited.” 

“Your budget is a reflection of your value system.” said congresswoman Sewell when relating the nation’s budget to budgeting personal finances.  

Education is something the congresswoman greatly values and acknowledges gow instrumental it was from taking her from being a resident of Alabama’s poorest congressional district to being it’s representative.  

“The reality is that we have unequal resources in private schools and public schools… When your tax base is low, when you’re from cities and towns that have very small industry or lack of industry, that’s the base for your public-school education.” 

The congresswoman, a Princeton and Harvard law graduate, recognizes how higher education is has opened doors for her to be in an environment that someone from would background would not usually be in “Where else could a little girl from Selma, Alabama get an opportunity to rub shoulders with the future president,” said Sewell in reference to being in law school with former President, Barack Obama. 

The congresswoman imparted on students that “the most important thing to have is a sense of curiosity, to want to learn and to be motivated enough to ask for help when you need it.” 

Bridging the gap between an “uneven playing field of economics” for congresswoman Sewell came from the intangible things like being nurtured by her community. “All of us need a support system that will help us, propel us to greater heights.” 

Congresswoman Sewell cites that Princeton gave her resources to attend, but also every resource to catch up. These resources to attend weren’t a handout from the institution, as the congresswoman graduated as the first Black valedictorian from Selma High School and the resources to catch up didn’t come without asking for help.  

One student expressed their concerns to the congresswoman about the future of minority groups such as MADE, as they view the program as their support system. The congresswomanthen explained how one of her main focuses on capitol hill is being an advocate for diversity in higher education. 

Congresswoman Sewell cites diversity as a strength of colleges and the nation at large.  She cites the reduction of diversity initiatives as dangerous. “It makes minority students second guess their own ability.”  

The congresswoman encouraged students to not be discouraged or have imposter syndrome. “You deserve to be in every room that you’re in, because you’re in it,” said Congresswoman Sewell.  

Affirmative action was an opportunity afforded to Rep. Sewell, not a handout; she remarked. Sewell sees it as a realization of giving equal opportunities to marginalized groups that have a history of inequality. “This nation has not been fair to our heritage, to our lineage,” said Sewell when talking about people of color in a historical context.  

The advocacy that Rep. Sewell has taken in response to the attack on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in higher education includes a call for the restoration of the University of Alabama student publications, “Alice” and “Nineteen Fifty-Six,” along with direct talks with President Donald Trump about Anti DEI laws.  

The congresswoman has already seen the effects Anti DEI laws have had on her alma mater, Havard Law School. She points out how on average, there are 50 Black students admitted into the institution; that average has now gone down to 19. 

Rep. Sewell urged the students to fight back against the current efforts against diversity programs and how their “presence on the ballot is fighting back.”   

“You have to make your case for why it’s important to have your voice at the table.” Sewell added, “Good ideas don’t just come from one people.” 

Rep. Sewell reiterated that she’ll contine to fight for her consitutients of all backgrounds because she knows that “rural America needs help.”