Andrew Borchini
Audrey Etté
Melcher Fabi
Paul Vasquez
Christina Wallace
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| Scholarship | Charlottesville |
| Name | Andrew Borchini |
| Hometown | Burke, Virginia |
| School | University of Virginia |
| Mission | To fight in the courts and legislatures for the rights of all marginalized
people. |
| Personal Quote | "I decided that I would do everything in my power to ensure that no crime of hate would ever take place again." |
What do you plan to study in school and how will it help you achieve your mission?
I'm currently double majoring in Political and Social Thought, and Government at the University of Virginia and plan on attending law school after I graduate. I'm interested in studying employment law so I can more effectively fight against discrimination in the workplace and in our communities. Discrimination nowadays is much more subtle and sophisticated than it was in the past, which makes it a much more difficult -- and necessary -- problem to fight against.
Where will you be in five years?
In five years, I'd like to be working for an organization like the American Civil Liberties Union to fight workplace discrimination. The problem of workplace discrimination is much more acute than many of us realize -- it happens every day without many of us knowing. I'll be litigating in the courts or fighting on Capitol Hill to make sure that no black person is denied a promotion, no woman is denied access, and no gay person is denied the opportunity to advance themselves in the workplace.
Why should people care about social justice?
Everyone needs to care about social justice because discrimination will someday touch you and the people you care about. Whether it's your mother being denied a promotion because of her gender, your friend being followed around in a department store because of his race, or your neighbor becoming the victim of a hate crime because of her sexual orientation, discrimination hurts everyone. I think Robert Kennedy said it best: "Each time a person strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."
How are you going to change the world?
I'm going to change the world by helping people realize the common humanity that binds us all together. We must work to embrace the differences in others, and the change must begin with changes in the law. This means that non-discrimination statutes must be vigorously enforced; hate crime legislation must be enacted on a federal level; all people must be given the opportunity to achieve to their potential; and the government must recognize and respect all committed relationships. I'll change the world by fighting in the courts and in Congress to ensure that social justice for all Americans will finally be achieved.
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