Meet our Communications Intern: Elizabeth Gonzalez

Who are you?

Hi! My name is Elizabeth Gonzalez, and I am the communications intern this summer at Diversity in Sustainability. I am entering my fourth year of Political Studies at Queen’s. 

I am currently in Oakville, but grew up in Brampton, and have spent a large portion of my life exploring Toronto. I am grateful for my fruitful experience having been raised in the GTA; from a young age, I was exposed to a variety of cultures and heritages that made me acutely aware of the beauty in diversity in multiculturalism. As someone of Latinx heritage, I am constantly seeking ways to reconnect with my culture, which has made me incredibly aware of the importance of representation. 

I have always been drawn to the arts; whether this be visually, through the written word, or media. I have found creative spaces and work to be an incredible way to achieve representation, and through my work at MUSE Magazine at Queen’s, I have worked to uplift the voices and creativity of BIPOC students. I am incredibly grateful to be privy to these stories, and it has only further cemented my love for storytelling, diversity, and inclusion. 

You’re studying politics and you’re heavily involved with writing on arts and culture – how do these topics intersect and what interests you most about them?

I strongly believe that the personal is political—while politics may seem to focus on people far away in old buildings drafting legislation, the truth is that our everyday lives and interactions are shaped by institutional forces and political decisions. As a result, I am always more fascinated by the way people respond to politics; how we form communities, speak out against injustice, promote peace, and question the norm. Historically, writing and the arts have been the platform to do so.  

I feel as though I have learned the most about historical moments in politics through the arts. Whether it was through reading the cultural criticism of Joan Didion, learning about the powerful retelling of injustices by musicians like Billie Holiday, or exploring the artwork of Frida Kahlo and its examination of postcolonialism. The visual, the lyrical, the essay— throughout the years individuals have been questioning power and documenting political change through art and cultural commentary. This has always enthralled me, and growing up I consumed any and every documentary, album, or book I could find that marked a definitive change in history. Writing and creative work that transport you in time; and when wanting to analyze how politics affected the daily lives of individuals, they act as the most raw and honest proof. 

Why do you think diversity in sustainability is important?

Sustainability is such a significant topic in current discourse; as individuals and communities become more and more aware of the genuine threat to the planet and the ways that we can tackle the climate crisis, the conversation that people have been trying to have for years is slowly being legitimized. But as most spaces do, the environments in which these conversations are happening are not open to all. The barriers to entry in the sustainability field make it difficult for all individuals to have a say in these crucially important discussions, which is especially disheartening as minorities are the ones who are most impacted by the climate crisis. There must be a collective effort to break down these barriers so that everyone who is impacted by climate change can discuss the path toward a sustainable future. I am a strong believer that diversity of thought is the most important value in achieving a just society; all voices need to be heard, especially in spaces that have not been historically accessible to BIPOC and BAME individuals. 

What do you hope to get out of your internship with DiS?

I am thrilled to be working with such a passionate team and exposing myself to their work on EDII—while I hold these values incredibly close to my heart, I am excited to see how we can work as a community to implement these values in industries that require change. I am also, of course, excited to continue to build my communication skills. But what first drew me to DiS was their genuine commitment to creating safer spaces and dialogues for BIPOC and BAME individuals, and I am looking forward to seeing the progression of my communication projects as I help their mission! I cannot wait to learn more about the individuals we connect with and be exposed to these great minds and new ways of thinking in terms of EDII. 

What issues in sustainability are you most concerned about?

In general, I find that a lot of my interest in sustainability stems from tackling what has now been perceived as the “norms” in our capitalist society; extensive pollution, water contamination, greenhouse gas emission, etc. These are all factors of life that many who are not concerned about climate change perceive to be a normal part of reality, which reveals concerning truths about how society is so easily discouraged to tackle the larger political beliefs and so unwilling to change (despite the facts that lie in front of us). However, more specifically, I have become incredibly intrigued by food waste; both in terms of how damaging it can be, but also (from a more optimistic perspective) the ways that we can make changes in our own daily lives to tackle the issue of food waste. I first became aware of this issue in my first-year global development class, when we began to learn about the sustainable ways local communities farm in the global south and compare these practices to the factory farming and commercial industry (as well as our practices of food waste). Seeing local restaurants work towards zero waste and implement sustainability within their business plans gives me hope, and I am curious to continue to learn about food waste and how we can address this issue!

Is there a quote or mantra that you live by, and why?

 While I am a lifelong bookworm, I surprisingly cannot think of just one quote I live by. I can, however, think of a general mantra that comes from my father, who has always told me to “dream big” in some phrase or another. While I spent much of my childhood thinking it was a cliche, I recognize now it is a mantra I have held close to my heart. My father is an immigrant, having left his native country of Ecuador at 18. He has always encouraged me to dream big and not settle—words that inherently are powerful to young women of color who are often told to be small and silent. Growing up, I heard my father echo these words to fellow family members and friends. I live my life with large aspirations and big dreams, having learned after many years of dinner table conversations with my father that the prospect of having big dreams is the best form of encouragement and motivation. 

What would you like to do next?

As I enter my final year of university, I am incredibly excited to act as the Editor-in-Chief of MUSE Magazine and help uplift the brand to new heights. Following graduation, I currently strive to get a Master's in Communications and begin forging my career in communications. While I am excited about the endless possibilities for the field in which I end up, I know that I hope to work in the communications and PR sectors of brands and organizations that hold inclusion and diversity as important values. I believe words and the visual work of communication to be incredibly powerful tools and would love to work alongside colleagues who want to use these tools to leave a positive lasting impact on the world.

Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future and why?

As a Gen Z, I believe that it can be hard to remain optimistic; much of my life has been defined by devastating headlines and widely accessible social media exposure of tragedy. However, I have always tried to remain optimistic in my approach to social justice, politics, and the climate. I believe in the good of people, and more importantly, in the power of community. While being a student of politics has taught me about the complexities of our social reality, the historical tragedies, and the closed doors that refuse to let many of us get involved in the important conversation—history has also shown us that change is possible. I like to think that the harsh realities that my generation has been exposed to only empower us to craft the world we would like to live in.