I spent my spring break in Detroit with seven strangers speaking in the public scools about peace/non-violence, conflict management and my college experience thus far. I slept in a chuch and showered at the YMCA.
It was the most challenging thing I've ever done!! It was physically and emotionally exhausting. I spoke to over 70 classes and over 2000 students. After seeing the living conditions of some of these students and hearing some personal stories from or about them, my heart was broken. Two teenagers were killed due to gun violence while I was there and it hurt because it was accepted as the norm. Some of these teens have no hope of succeeding and will tell you that at the drop of a hat..."I won't live past 18" one boy told me.
It was challenging, but yet rewarding. I know that I did what I went there to do; to encourage some young black person to keep their head up and push to better themselves, to not succumb to stereotypes or accept what ever limits have been placed over us. I also met some new people and made a few contacts, heck I was even offered an internship with the agency I volunteered for.
My break was an eye opening experience to many of the problems that plague our communities. And left me with an even stronger desire to do my part and help out where I can.
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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed it is the only thing that ever has."
-Margaret Meade
[This message has been edited by dee_style1 (edited March 26, 2001).]
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