User:Thenickdino/Ordilia Romero

Introduction

Odilia Romero, born in San Bartolme Zoogocho is the co-founder of the Comunidades Indigenous en liderazgo (CIELO), a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles dedicated to assisting Indigenous communities. Born in a Zapotec community, Romero faced formidable language barriers upon arriving in the U.S. at the age of ten. These barriers pushed her to become an interpreter and an activist, highlighting the need for Indigenous-language interpreters to address the unique struggles faced by Indigenous migrants, particularly in legal and medical contexts. Romero is proficient in English, Spanish, and her native language of Zapotec. .

Early Life

Odilia Romero Hernandez was born in May 1971. Romero's early life in the U.S. was marked by discrimination and difficulties, common to many Indigenous immigrants which struggle with a language barrier. In her early years, she encountered linguistic barriers that hindered her academic progress. Despite this limitation in the modern American school system, Romero found alternative ways to teach herself English, primarily relying on audiobooks and apps. This struggle is faced by many immigrant children who grapple with language barriers, limiting their access to higher education, which is an issue that Ordilia prioritizes

Formation of Comunidades Indigenas en liderazgo (CIELO)

The significance of CIELO lies in its origin story, which is tied to Romero's personal experiences as an Indigenous immigrant. Arriving in the U.S. with minimal knowledge of the English language, she became her own interpreter out of necessity. Many Indigenous people from Latin America are automatically given Spanish-English interpreters even though they often do not know either language— this was the case for Romero's parents. Despite Romero's own lack of proficiency in English and Spanish, she had act as an interpreter for her parents, who only spoke Zapotec, because the state assumed that they, as Mexican immigrants, spoke Spanish. Romero learned first hand that indirect translation or translation between 3 or more languages loses clarity and leads to misunderstandings. Her experiences emphasized a need for indigenous language interpreters. Recognizing the shared struggles of others overcoming language barriers, Romero, along with her daughter Janet Martinez, founded the CIELO in 2012. The organization plays a crucial role in various sectors, including hospitals and the census, by training translators to serve Indigenous communities and addressing language barriers in the U.S.

CIELO's Initiatives and Impact

CIELO's impact is detailed in various articles and interviews featuring Romero. CIELO distributed $2.4 million in COVID-19 relief to Indigenous communities. The organization not only provides COVID-19 relief but also creates instructional videos in specific languages, addressing the gaps left by government efforts. Romero emphasizes the organization's efforts to train translators and collaborate with communities, highlighting the specific ways CIELO works to overcome language barriers and improve the lives of Indigenous individuals. CIELO promotes Indigenous languages through social and cultural events. In 2016, the organization started Weaving Words and Rhymes— a concert for Indigenous musicians meant to connect various Indigenous communities living in the US and revitalize Indigenous languages. They also created a literature conference for Indigenous communities in Los Angeles.

Contribution to LAPD Language Barriers

One critical aspect of Romero's mission involves addressing the language barriers between the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and Indigenous communities. Romero points out that tragic misunderstandings such as the accidental killing of a Guatamalan man, display the necessity of language access to all people in contact with law enforcement. Romero, as a Zapotec interpreter, helps by bridging this gap between Indigenous immigrants and important services average people sue everyday. She also raises awareness about the important of effective communication to ensure safe, and equal treatment during interactions with law enforcement. Odilia Romero introduced to the LAPD, a pocketbook with common terminology and expressions in various Indigenous languages to aid in communication between police and those in indigenous populations.

Recognition and Academic Contributions

Romero has had contributions to immigrant rights and Indigenous communities. With over two decades of experience, she is a respected organizer of Indigenous migrant communities and has contributed to academic publications, with appearances of TedX. Romero has given lectures at prestigious universities such as John Hopkins, USC, and UCLA. Her work includes Indigenous community organization, women's leadership, and youth empowerment, showcasing the broadness of her impact for her community.

Personal Anecdotes and Immigrant Struggles

Personal anecdotes shared by Romero in her numerous appearances on talk shows highlight the struggles faced by Indigenous immigrants, particularly those with language barriers. These accounts, which include cases of people spending long lengths of time in mental health facilities as a result of of miscommunication, highlight the need for a more inclusive healthcare system that takes into account the linguistic diversity of the American people as well as their unique language difficulties.