Summer 2002: DO SOMETHING
Violence Policy Center
Ashly Ebeling
University of Maryland, College Park

I have been extremely blessed to be selected as an Everett intern this summer in particular, considering the traumatic past year the U.S. has experienced. After September 11th, the threat of biological and chemical terrorism, the declining economy and the incredible dishonesty of the corporate world, I was beginning to question the stability of our "great nation." Thanks to the internship program, my eyes have been opened to people who fight for what is right in our nation, and to issues that I can actively take a part in. After this summer, I know that I no longer have to sit, wait, and worry about the future of our nation, but I can do something to help.

I started off this summer thinking that these weekly lectures would be either boring or over my head . . . they turned out to be neither. In fact, they have been completely enthralling, educating, and inspiring. The most important overall impact the summer speakers have had on me is letting me know that even the seemingly lowest person on the totem pole can be important. Several speakers, including Josh Sugarmann of the Violence Policy Center and Laura Murphy of the American Civil Liberties Union started off their career as interns like myself. They were given menial tasks that ended up leading them down the path to a very important career. They took their intern experiences, and worked hard until they rose to the top of the ranks and either started their own organization, or took a lead position in an organization which today makes waves. What is even more incredible is that these people are down-to-earth, caring, normal people!

Speakers like Terry Harrak from the Youth Law Center, and Deb Callahan of the League of Conservation Voters, have shown me how easy it can be to follow even a difficult dream. Ms. Harrak, who was at one point homeless and alone, remained dedicated to her dream of getting an education and helping other foster children. She was just a single person in the world, who ended up meeting with the President and First Lady, and made a big difference. Mrs. Callahan knew from a young age exactly what she wanted to do, and even though it took years of experimenting with colleges, careers and locations, she managed to find a way to work on the political aspects of the environment. These people did not fall into luck, become instantly successful, rich and famous, but simply worked hard, valued education, and had a passion about an important issue in the world. These people are much like this year's Everett interns.

Working at my internship this summer, I have learned a lot about people. Through my organization, the Violence Policy Center, I have learned that it is okay to disagree with people and stand up for what you believe in, but that it means more to do so if you are educated on the topic. I have learned that it is okay to question people and issues, and it is extremely important to study other peoples' points of view. Many of us interns consider ourselves liberals, but to be truly liberal, I believe you have to be fair, and empathetic to the issues of everyone in this world, not just those who support your cause. After hearing Coleman McCarthy's speech, I realized that I don't have to be like everyone else. He demonstrated that someone who is a non-partisan, vegetarian, pacifist can still have an impact on the world, even if he doesn't fall into the majority. He showed us little ways to stand up for what we believe in, such as becoming educated on unknown peacemakers of the world, and even saying no to eating McDonald's food! Mrs. Murphy from the ACLU showed us that it's even okay to question our government because it is important to make sure our personal freedoms and privacy are being protected. Before this summer, I never would have thought of doing these things. Now I have a whole different way of thinking.

I find myself now wanting to do so many things. I want to mentor a foster child, be a foster parent, work for a homeless shelter or a women's shelter, help someone learn to read, join Amnesty International and the Safari Club, read more, learn more, do more. I am so inspired to improve the world that I live in and it is a big task. After my experiences this summer, I realize that it's not up to me to do everything. Instead, if we all just did something, even one little thing, this would be a better place.