Hi! I’m Cassandra Perkins, “Cassy.” I’m a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill studying Political Science and Journalism. Having grown up in Bethesda, MD, working in Eastern NC will be a whole new adventure for me. I’m excited to learn about the current issues facing NC and work with the community to create change!
Hi! I’m Martina Evans. I am a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill studying Global Studies and Medical Anthropology. I was born in Greenville which is why I am filled with excitement about what the summer holds. I’m happy to be able to go back to the community I grew up in and make a change.
May 28 was our first day as Democracy Summer Interns. Immediately after stepping into the office, we were jet-setting off to Eastern North Carolina.
We stopped in Wilson for the NAACP statewide tour. NC NAACP President, Reverend William Barber II, spoke about the laws being passed in North Carolina right now that negatively target and impact people of color, low income people, the elderly, and youth. We could hear the gasps of astonishment in people’s voices as they learned of all the unfair laws and practices that would suppress voters. The passion in the room continued to stir when several hardworking Americans shared their stories of being arrested for engaging in civil disobedience during “Moral Mondays” protests.
Next we went to the Democracy Greenville monthly meeting. We debriefed previous activities that took place in Greenville, including the City Council voting rights resolution and a meeting with Representative Brown.
We also showed “Forward Together, Not One Step Back.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98tZ1K2zMaQ&list=UUAVPeO1qkVxpUqSvy2ol-SA&index=1
The video uses powerful imagery to show how current legislation is an eerie repetition of North Carolina’s past. Voting was a right that our ancestors sought for many years, so why should we let that be stripped from us?
Meeting the folks from the NAACP and hearing the stories of local involvement in Greenville showed us that we are a part of a historic moment in North Carolina.
The journey that lies ahead for the rest of the summer won’t be easy, but it will be fun and rewarding. As interns, we hope to gain the skills necessary to join in the struggle for social justice and keep NC moving forward.
Until next time,
Martina and Cassy – Greenville Team
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