Becoming Brave (3)

Estefany Sanabria

Blog Post 3

6/22/2018

I think it's really cool that we are here in D.C. during a time of that will definitely go down in history. It's so nice to see how all these different types of organizations (faith based, nonprofits, etc.) have come together to really make a change. Before coming to D.C. I felt like the things I did back home (Chicago) didn't really do anything for my neighborhood. Now that I'm here, I see that the fight for the same cause (family separations at the border) made Donald Trump cave, due to all the political pressure, to do something to stop these horrible separations. But as we see, this new executive order didn't help very much. This executive order was meant to end the separation of families at the border but all it did was detain parents and children together for an indefinite period. This executive order also does nothing about the 2,300 children who were already separated from their families. I know that if we keep fighting and spreading the word, things are going to change, like they did all those years ago with the Civil Rights movement. 

Another thing that happened this week that made me feel happy was that, at work, I was assigned to do this background paper on SNAP and how recent "farm bills" could affect SNAP. I was recognized and thanked for my hard work in front of the whole RESULTS (work placement) staff. It feels good to finally be recognized for my work and I know that it won't stop there. It's been a whole 3 weeks of working but it feels like nothing because I'm doing what I love, which is social justice work.

Something I enjoyed from last week was the activity the EYA interns had to do with Neal about the United Methodist Social Principles. I got to learn about the social principles we as United Methodist should know and “follow” while learning my fellow interns’ opinions on these issues. I know that I will never forget the principles because now I have a connection with them because through them, I learned more about the amazing EYA interns including myself.

Something that I need to work on is voicing my opinion and thoughts more. During bible study, I never really talk because I feel like the things I say are stupid and they make no sense or they don’t even fit into what we’re talking about but then someone else says it and it was the same thing I was thinking and all I can do is agree. I like that Mark told me this week that everything we say matters and nothing we say is stupid or unusual. I have to be brave and that will be my goal this week.