OUT ON THE HILL is the official blog of the Victory Congressional Interns. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of LGBTQ Victory Institute. Learn more about the internship at victoryinstitute.org/vci.
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to think I used to fear the end would never near,
flipping through pages,
staring out windows,
drowning in voices,
we are in the finale now,
enough pages read through to start a new chapter
to ride on a new tide
The March weather in Washington, D.C. is ever so mysterious. Last Wednesday, on my walk to work, the sky decided to weep halfway. Ever so coincidentally, I did not have an umbrella. This was the same day when I had back-to-back to back meetings, except now instead of the slick pony tail I brushed my hair into, my hair is damp, spirit lessened.
The first meeting that I was so fortunate to sit in on was with a very well-established global technology company. The meeting was on zoom, meaning with the blurred background, no one was able to tell I walked in the rain just now. The legislative staff that was responsible for this meeting was the same staff member that went on an over one hour long “coffee” with me. Different from their friendly, approachable character, the staff member switched into an almost completely different persona – stern, authoritative, sharp questions and answers were given in the short span of 30 minutes.
By the end of the meeting, my hair dried and my notebook page was filled. It was so fascinating for me to see the close interaction between private owned big technology companies with the federal government, and just about how much weight they are able to have when it comes to policies.
My second meeting, similarly, completely opened my perspective on federal politics and policy making. Not only is having the most updated policy strategies important, but also knowing how to collaboratively work with people who are different from your qualities that can help you move forward with your legislation.
The sun surfaced on my walk back. I did not miss any of my meetings and was able to complete all my assigned tasks. I even entertained myself by walking under the cherry blossom trees, taking in the Spring that is finally arriving on the East Coast. I felt like the cherry blossom trees, despite the cold rain, next year, at the same time, flowers bloom again. This is what it means to be of representation I guess, to stay, to be constant when everything varies, be me – be you.
To think that we are days away from the end of the internship, I am more hopeful and excited about the future than I am sad. I connected with people throughout the program whom I believe will become the very next President of the United States. Perhaps I am too good at goodbyes, but with the ever-changing March weather in Washington, D.C., I could just be the next storm of change that thunders the Capitol.
