March 19, 2024 | By Richeline Cadet
Richeline is pictured crouching on the left bottom front.
From BDL Debater to Community Activist & Political Organizer
My name is Richeline “Richie” Cadet; I am a Boston Public School graduate of TechBoston Academy and a proud state school graduate of Salem State University. Growing up, I’d always been a very passionate and vocal person, and was lucky enough to have family, peers, and resources that encouraged me to explore that. My experience navigating life in the U.S. as a young black woman from Haiti further fueled my passion for speech and advocacy work.
Like many immigrant kids, I was the translator in my family and the “know-it-all” in my social circles. Raised by a single father in an all-boys household, debate was commonplace among my family. School was no different—most of my peers probably remember me as the witty kid with the quick comebacks.
I joined debate during my sophomore year of high school, when the season’s topic was about immigration. As I think back on that time, I realize how much of my own lived experience I brought into the debate space with me. I remember hearing unkind, and often cruel, tales about undocumented immigrants in the U.S. Being a part of these in-round discussions and listening to the myths perpetuated by so many self-proclaimed “real Americans” encouraged me to do in-depth research about the inner workings of this country’s many systems of oppression.
Reflecting on my own immigrant experience ultimately informed my decision to study political science and work in the Massachusetts political scene. My time with the BDL left me not only with judge awards and a community of friends, but also with the understanding that researching every side of an issue is crucial to real learning, no matter which way I lean on said issue. Debate reassured me that my voice was an asset worth continuing to invest in.
Richeline Cadet is a lifelong community activist and political organizer. She currently serves as the Director of Organizing at MASSCreative, working to close the gap where art, culture, and policy intersect.