Corey Ponder, February 1, 2003

When Geoff asked me to submit an article to the “Zine,” I was honored. I had to think about when I would actually have time to write this. As many of you know, I am currently in Americorps, in Washington, DC, so as I see it, I have a few things to write about that may concern you, the reader.

I have been finding new ways to stay involved with a community that doesn’t even know I am here. I tutor children who have fallen behind in their education. These children look at me as though I were a genius. I am currently helping low-income families recertify for Medicaid. The bottom line is that I have had to change my way of thinking from self-interested to group-oriented. There are 157 Americorps members here from all over the country living, eating, and breathing community service. One day we went to a food bank to sort cucumbers. There were ten five-foot by five-foot crates, and it looked as though it would take weeks for even a few people to sort them. Do you know how long it tooks us?

Before joining Americorps, I was a part of the PartySmart collaborative. I was not too involved, because I felt as though my education should take precedence before my social life. While this may be true, I have realized that we, as New Mexicans or even as Americans, have the right to fight for what is ours. Our scene is worth fighting for. I know that right now there is at least one person thinking, “What scene? The ‘scene’ is dead.” But that is just the attitude you need to stay away from.

What I am trying to tell you is that if we all turn our energy outward, towards the cause, then we will all be a lot happier. So what can you do? I ask you this. How can you affect what is going on when you have so much homework, or so little time? I think that there are many things, small things that if we all take part in, will become easier than waking up in the morning. So get together for your cause or our scene, stay focused on your own interests if you must, but please if you have five minutes a day try and make a difference.