Cornell University builds leaders in and out of the classroom and Jorge Defendini ‘22, American Studies and Government double major, is no exception.
In early 2021, the Tompkins Working Family Party, Ithaca Tenants Union, and Ithaca Democratic Socialists for America put together a slate of candidates to run on a shared platform. On that list was Defendini who was up for Common Council representative in Ithaca’s 4th ward.
Originally intending on majoring in government, Defendini decided to complement this major with American Studies to suit his interests in American history and current events.
“The program and major have taught me a whole lot [about] how history has operated and what lessons we can take from it. There are so many parallels to how things were a hundred years ago and how things are now,” Defendini says.
In addition to the curriculum, he praises the people he’s met who have contributed to his experiences at Cornell, such as Professor Maria Cristina Garcia.
“[Intro Latinos in U.S. History] was very formative as a Boricua and as a Latino living in the United States. I can’t recommend it enough because of the professor’s genuine care for the course material but also her genuine compassion for students,” Defendini emphasizes.
Defendini urges that people at least take a class in the American Studies program to “understand the context of where we’re living.”
He also acknowledges the people he’s met along the way who have taught him about the importance of community and compassion that he strives to foster in the Council.
“I’m someone who believes that as an individual, there's not a whole lot special about me. I don’t believe that I have a set of ideas or way of thinking that make me uniquely equipped to run government,” Defendini expresses.
“What I do have is a big crowd around the corner…I’m bringing all their expertise and passion with me,” he adds.
Stating that the people of Ithaca know their lived experiences more than any outsider could, Defendini wants to “meet them where they’re at and deliver on the policies that they want me to deliver.”
The American Studies major and his prior experience organizing for the Democratic Primary for Bernie Sanders have prepared Defendini to execute his responsibilities in the Common Council.
He and the rest of the Common Council have been working on the Right to Renew Leases since May 2021. This policy requires landlords to allow tenants to resign their lease if they’ve complied with all guidelines in their year of occupancy, which Defendini views as a human right.
Defendini hopes to work more on housing rights, climate change, indigenous sovereignty, and what he views as “bridge issues,” to address the overlap between Cornellians and local Ithacans.
