Dear Future Me,
Just imaging the future, 9 weeks from now, seems like an impossible task to do in light of how fast today’s climate is constantly changing and how hectic this first week at SDEV has been. Coming from a potato quarantine-self has been somewhat of a difficult transition into a full-time internship position. Hopefully, by the end, you’ve finally fixed your sleeping schedule you dumb dumb!
Some might say 2020 is over. Or, not to be dramatic, but that the world is ending. Our society today is grieving over the injustice seen in George Floyd’s death and the lack of action taken following it by the government. Through the history of systemic racism and the lack of change seen in our country, people are fed up! Protests have broken all over the country, and my friends urge me to walk with them this weekend. But then COVID-19 still runs rampant as New Jersey begins to see a spike in cases again! And argh, my heart is conflicted with all the anguish and pain our society has been feeling in this past couple of weeks. At times, I sit in my home, quarantined, wondering if I was doing enough, just writing petitions and donating to all these different organizations? I’m curious how much the world will change in these current affairs throughout my internship. I hope this discomfort, this rage, and sadness for the Black community still stays lit in my heart and that I’m not a just performative ally during this time.
Being placed at SDEV was kind of a surprise for me in the beginning, coming into DCERP so last minute. I know this summer wasn’t what you expected at all, heck, I’m sure it wasn’t for anybody. But my supervisor and the executive director have left me smiling and eagerly enthusiastic for this internship of the impact that I will be having on the Southwest Detroit community but also of how much they want me to grow in my professional skills. With such strong women of color in leadership, I have never felt so welcomed and so motivated by an organization before. And so, despite the back-to-back meetings, exhausting mornings, and endlessly looking at the computer screen all day, I know already in the first week that I am going to have such an immersive time at SDEV
Working remotely is a learning process for both my workplace and for myself. I hope that I’m able to get closer to some of my other DCERP fellows and learn more about the culture of Detroit so that I am no longer just a passing tourist in such an enriching city. I know I’m going to be smiling at the end of the day no matter, so let’s continue to keep our head up, do our best this summer for not just ourself but also for our surrounding community! 🙂
Fighting!
Past-Me
Hey Sarah! I really loved how you were in tune with your emotions over the past few weeks. I’ve definitely been feeling the same. I especially loved when you said, “I hope this discomfort, this rage, and sadness for the Black community still stays lit in my heart and that I’m not a just performative ally during this time.” This is one of my biggest worries once the protests die down, that people would stop talking about Black Lives Matter because the topic is “old news”. I too hope that people keep talking, educating themselves and others and supporting the BLM movement truth action instead of treating it as a trending topic. And by the way, signing the petitions and the donations are great ways to support. You are doing a lot; you don’t have to go to protests if you don’t feel safe. There’s still COVID. Just keep the light of supporting the BLM movement going.
And I can definitely relate to feeling sluggish and unorganized during this whole week. Having an internship is going to take time for all of us. Just slowly get the ball rolling; don’t rush I know you’ll do well!
Hey Leslie! Thanks so much for the encouraging comment on my uncertainties during this time! The atmosphere is changing in our society so much right now. I only hope the momentum continues to stay the same and bring about an active outcome. Let’s both give it our best at our internship! 🙂