In front of the Capitol!
America is often hailed as the melting pot of the world as people from around the world converge here to form the American identity. While this is largely true, all too often, geographic discrepancies lead to social insulation which creates regional microcosms of culture and identity. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I had always been under the impression that I had been well exposed to different cultures as the region has some of the greatest ethnic diversity in the country. This past summer in Washington DC taught me otherwise as I came to learn that cultural identity goes beyond heritage and is also contingent on people’s geographical and regional backgrounds. Getting to know people from all across the country exposed me to cultures unbeknownst to me and showed me that there is a tremendous amount of diversity within the country and also within the individual religious, ethnic, and social groups that make up our population. It is known that Washington DC is a politically powerful place but often overlooked is the district’s social prowess. It brings together the cultures, ideas, and beliefs of people from across the country and throws them into a 68 square mile area. If America is the melting pot of the world, Washington DC is the smoldering center of that pot, constantly bubbling from the heat of political exchange.
With SALDEF Intern, Manjot
Before coming to DC I had come across the adage, “If you need a friend in Washington, get a dog.” I didn’t know what to expect in regards to meeting people and making friends. Although I came across some lovely dogs, I’m happy to say that the adage didn’t hold true for me as I was able to meet some amazing people and make even more amazing friends. While politics was omnipresent and the election year made for an especially bitter political discourse, I found people to be generally open and receptive to conversation, making socializing a pleasant ordeal. My time in DC was not only a socially exposing experience but also an intellectually and professionally revealing one. What made my stay in DC exceptionally memorable was the SALDEF staff and my fellow SikhLEAD interns. If you’ve read this far I’m glad to know I haven’t bored you to sleep. I’ll end with saying that interning in the Capitol was a truly fantastic experience, and I would urge my fellow college students with an interest in politics to consider doing so. I applied on a whim and am extremely glad I did because the time I spent in Washington DC will be something I will remember and cherish for a long long time. -Maninder
