Dear Demario,
I don’t think you are prepared for how instrumental this time in Detroit will be to your life, your goals, and your conceptions about your ability to connect, collaborate, and fight for justice. This summer will be more fun than you could have thought possible. You will realize just how many amazing people you are surrounded by. People you would have least expected will impact you the most. Make sure to try to connect with as many people as you can. Detroit is a birth of hope in a state of despair. The community power in this city is limitless. Remember this.
Make the extra effort to get know people. Especially the people you wouldn’t normally speak with. I know you feel like everything is a bit overwhelming right, but trust me it will get better. However, the the uncomfortable feeling of urgency you have in your stomach will not fade. If anything, this feeling will continue to grow as you discover just the full scope of the water crisis here in Detroit and other surrounding community. Most importantly, you need to realize you cannot solve the world’s problems in a 10-week internship. The best thing you can do this summer is offer yourself as a resource and an extra pair of hands to help. The people of Detroit already know what they need. They NEED for other people to assist them in the work they are already doing. Make this relationship, this connection, last longer than 10 weeks. Being conscious means being aware of the past, the present, and the future
.
