there are several things that i love about new
york, but i think the thing i love most is that there are so many good things
being done here. i remember my first week in the city, i got here on a
wednesday night, and i liked new york, but i didn't find it super incredible.
it felt a lot like seoul actually--really tall buildings, narrow sidewalks,
crazy traffic, crazy subway system, short blocks, lots of different
neighborhoods, and lots of tired people. i spent a lot of time exploring the
city that week and weekend, but i just didn't feel overly impressed. and i also
just wanted to be in dc for some reason, i don't know why, i just love dc!
(i've since realized that i love dc for the energy and the people, and it's
just beautiful there.)
BUT...
i feel so differently now. i still love dc, but new york has really grown on
me. this past week for my internship we went to the bronx defenders. this is an
INCREDIBLE organization. you should read about it here. basically, they take a holistic
approach to public defense, meaning they organize a consulting group of sorts
(attorneys) to represent and defend clients' against criminal charges, as well
as employment, housing, immigration, and family charges. so smart! and the
director explained that they realized after surveying community members that
many people would rather give up some of their liberty than lose other things
that were valuable to them, e.g., their home, their life in america, their
children, etc. so the attorneys at bronx defenders also effectively empower
their clients by giving them agency/responsibility to make their own decisions
after educating them on different outcomes, rather than assuming what their
clients want and making decisions for them.
and
so the conclusion i've come to since then is that yes i love dc (love, love,
LOVE dc), but i also love ny bc people here are making things happen. such a
great thing and it gets me so excited. and is further evidence to me that i am
supposed to be here. :)
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