Carina is a junior at Duke studying Women’s Studies and Global Health; she will be interning with the Brooklyn Movement Center this summer.

While I was contemplating how to start this blog post, all I could come up with were phrases about tearing down the patriarchy and what I do besides that. At this point in my educational career, I have been pointing out patriarchy, oppression, racism, ableism, etc. to every one of my close friends and family members. It has gotten to the point that people will come to me with stories starting off, “you would have loved this,” or “you would have loved him,” and then proceed to tell me a story in which they pointed out something in the language or attitude that represented or fought against oppression. I distinctly remember one of my friends relaying a date in which the male asked if she wanted to split the bill even though he wanted to pay for her, but he gave her the option. She told me in a joking manner, but every time someone tells me a story like that I feel a type of satisfaction. I have talked about societal problems so often and with so many people that they are now able to point out things that don’t feel right or where they can finally see something that is not okay. In other words, people closest to me have become much more aware of their surroundings and what happens because I never shut up about it or stop pointing it out.

Starting at Duke, I was planning on being a pre-med Neuroscience major and to dabble in Women’s Studies. Little did I know that my Women’s Studies class would be the class I told every person that would listen to me about it. Every class since has made me think differently about my daily interactions and about my place in the world. I always ask myself how I can change the culture that I see hurting so many marginalized voices. I chose this program because women’s justice advocacy is something that has always been a part of my life. I grew up in a house of women with two older sisters and discussing the problems facing women, especially women of color. This summer, I am interning with the Brooklyn Movement Center and it will be my first experience doing local community organizing. I am extremely nervous about entering a community as an outsider and being someone that is handling the actual organization of bike patrols. I want the community to know that I understand I am there as an extra set of hands and want to do whatever I can while respecting the establishment and flow of the organization. I am excited to be working with a community that is tight knit and that understands the concept of learning from one another while being held accountable. *tries to insert culturally competent meme but can’t find any that aren’t offensive*

I want to learn the inner workings of a local community organization that is aimed at changing a culture that pervades every part of society. I want to strengthen my faith in being able to change one comment that will lead to one action and then having it spread from there. I want to be someone that brings a fresh perspective on what will work while also respecting that they people I’m working with know the community much better. I will learn how to manage a blog and post substantial and interesting pieces. I will also learn the best way to train community members while understanding that every person learns differently and will teach the material differently.

All in all, I’m beyond excited to arrive and start working in Brooklyn. Fighting the patriarchy one step at a time, because not fighting is not an option.