Carlita Washington writes about working as student government attorney general to end racial injustice and police brutality on campus.

Sunday, June 7

It is a very rainy and gloomy Sunday morning, there are even reports of flash floods in the area. I was concerned about the weather considering that my mom and I would have to travel in the heavy rain to get to church, but the rain later subsided. I woke up early to the sound of Gospel music to get ready; this has been a part of a weekly routine since childhood. Church and religious activities have always been a part of my life and have been particularly imperative to maintaining tranquility during this time of uncertainty and chaos. My pastor preached about a multitude of topics, but a few points discussed particularly resonated with me. He stated that unity amongst all communities is needed to solve current national and global issues — specifically racial injustice — and that legislation and advocacy are especially imperative to provide solutions. My pastor also mentioned that silence in the face of injustice is a deafening response. Silence either signifies one’s belief that there are no existing issues or one’s agreement with the current, corrupt system. Following service (in which social distancing was implemented), the day is spent relaxing, cleaning up and completing homework assignments for summer courses before the hustle and bustle of a new week arrives.

Monday, June 8

I woke up at around 9 a.m. this morning to exercise before working remotely. My weekly exercise routine consists of a variety of workouts such as bodyweight home exercises that focus on various parts of the body including abs, legs and arms. I also like to do cardio workouts that are particularly energizing as well as walks and bike rides throughout the week.

As a representative of the University of North Florida Student Government (SG), days consist of a variety of meetings and discussions over Zoom and FaceTime. Recently, our student government has hosted conversations with other university organizations and departments in order to address recent national and global events regarding racial injustice and inequality. I had the pleasure of attending the diversity department’s discussion on the topics of racial injustice and racial trauma where students, faculty and staff were able to share tumultuous and often damaging experiences while others were also able to educate themselves on topics of race relations and inequality. In one meeting, I myself was able to share — though apprehensive — a few experiences I have witnessed and experienced regarding discrimination or a lack of representation at university.

The discussions have been productive and have encouraged dialogue between a variety of communities and backgrounds. A particularly excellent idea was to develop a council or recurring discussion panel for the purpose of fostering and hosting discussions on often arduous topics — including race, inequality and police brutality — to ultimately provide education, understanding and concrete change on campus and beyond.

Today’s meetings were concerning a variety of matters including the back-to-campus transition for the fall semester, constitutional revisions and internal operations. I am currently a member of one of the university committees that is strategically solving how to best transition on campus safely, amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining sanitary conditions and following national and state government and health guidelines. I am very excited about the possibility of returning back to campus, though I am concerned that my academic and educational experience will be stifled due to the newly implemented stipulations. Physical classes will most likely be combined with virtual aspects, which reduces valued and instrumental face-to-face communication and collaboration with classmates and professors. Additionally, one of my favorite places on campus is the library, where I study for hours, but strict guidelines may be put in place that could prevent studying there.

Tuesday, June 9

I woke up a bit earlier than yesterday, at around 8:30 a.m., so that I could still exercise and get ready properly before attending an early student government judicial meeting. As attorney general of the University of North Florida Student Government, it is imperative that I have a strong relationship with the judicial branch as our offices work hand-in-hand to uphold the ethics of and provide justice to student government. After the Zoom meeting, I worked for most of the morning and early afternoon in which I attended another meeting, checked and responded to emails and planned events. Notably, I contacted the diversity department today in hopes of developing a partnership between their department and student government. As a result, I hope to develop the council, as mentioned previously, that will aid with education on topics such as race, culture, inequality, police brutality and more. Hopefully this will be in the works soon!

Meeting with Treasurer Kampouroglou. (Courtesy of Carlita Washington)

Following work, I viewed several prerecorded lectures and worked on homework. One of the courses I am taking this summer is calculus. Though it is challenging, I enjoy the material and mastering the complex subject matter. While studying I listened to a few of my favorite composers, Max Richter and Philip Glass. I really enjoy a multitude of music genres, including classical and symphonic music, though it appears as though most in my age cohort do not. In the evening, my mom and I picked up food to-go from a restaurant. The food was delicious. It was a typical fast food-like meal, a chicken sandwich and french fries. Afterwards, my mom and I went on a walk around the neighborhood.

Wednesday, June 10

Today was a particularly eventful day. This morning, I woke up at around 8 a.m. to exercise, work on homework and to prepare a short writing piece before work. The composition is for a virtual candlelight vigil for racial justice, which will be hosted by the university this evening. I was invited to be one of the speakers at this event on behalf of the student government. The purpose of the occasion is to honor the lives of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and countless other Black men, women and children who have been victims of police brutality and racial injustice as well as to ultimately advocate, take action and enact substantial change to honor their legacies.

In addition to work and classes, I am also partaking in a virtual summer pre-law university program that provides weekly lectures. Today I attended a lecture consisting of a panel of current law students; it served as a great opportunity to gain insight and advice regarding the law school admissions and application process as well as life while in law school. As an individual who possesses an immense interest in pursuing a career in law, I am incredibly grateful that the university hosting the program did not allow the pandemic to impede the educational experience and decided to make the program virtual.

Following the lecture, I worked for a few hours which consisted of emails and reviewing documents. After work, I met with a friend over Zoom to re-watch “John Wick 3”! The film is amazing and action-packed — filled with fighting and combat sequences — and stars Keanu Reeves, who is incredible. I love watching movies and my favorite genres are action and adventure. Watching the film was a fun, light-hearted activity to partake in before the vigil in the evening.

Later that evening, I attended the vigil and presented my composition along with other student leaders, administrators, department chairs and the university president. The principle message addressed within my composition were that actions, such as protests and policy reform, must continue to be taken nationally and globally that not only address issues such as racial injustice and police brutality, but that also work to provide concrete and substantial change that will benefit generations to come and foster a positive and equal environment for all. I encouraged speakers and viewers to be champions for the victims of injustice and to take personal action in honor of their legacies.

It was an impactful and moving ceremony. During the vigil, there was a moment of reflection and silence that lasted for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the duration of time a police officer pinned George Floyd to the ground, unable to breathe. Though I have always realized how precious time is and that it is truly relative (thanks Einstein), the moment of reflection really contextualized how long eight, almost nine minutes is especially for one’s breathing to be obstructed.

I was grateful for the opportunity to honor the lives of victims and share my sentiments and my hopes for new, positive change within the community, the nation and the globe. Ultimately, unity amongst all communities of all backgrounds is needed to execute significant national and global change and to eradicate White supremacy and systemic racism that has negatively affected all communities of color for centuries. Legislation will be particularly imperative in this shift, which is why civic engagement is vital and is an initiative I always promote and advocate for, especially amongst the youth. Always utilize your right to vote!

Thursday, June 11

This morning, I woke up at 9 a.m. to work out and complete schoolwork before my office hours. During office hours, I attend meetings, work on projects, plan future events, and send and respond to emails from advisors, other student government leaders, university departments and sometimes students or external organizations. I spent the majority of the morning studying calculus and completing assignments. Though I have enjoyed working and studying from home, it is a weird feeling for your bedroom to become your office and classroom simultaneously. However, at the end of the day, I appreciate that I have access to a quality education, as many young people do not. Particularly as a first-generation American, the importance of education is a virtue my mother instilled within me, essentially, from birth. The opportunities and experiences I have had the privilege to access, and future opportunities I will attain, are largely credited to education. Aside from that, the remainder of the afternoon was spent working and relaxing.

Friday, June 12

I was especially exhausted this morning; perhaps the busyness of this week’s work, events, meetings and homework has finally caught up to me. I woke up at 9 a.m. and began the day with exercise. Afterwards, in the early afternoon, I “went” to work and attended a senate meeting, which occurs every other Friday in student government. Within the meetings, senators vote on legislation; SG representatives share current events within student government, the university and the community; and the three branches (judicial, legislative and executive) present reports. In today’s meeting, I was interviewed, along with others, by the senate for official appointment to the position I was seeking to hold. In my case, it is more of a reappointment as I had fulfilled a term as attorney general the previous academic year.

Thankfully, after a rather short interview process, the senate voted unanimously to reconfirm me as attorney general for the current administration. I am honored and grateful to serve another term and continue to serve the student body as a student government leader. Frankly, I miss having SG meetings in person with all of my colleagues, advisors and friends, especially the young women of student government who are like a family and are always welcoming, supportive and kind.

Following senate, I worked for a couple more hours completing tasks for the week, checking emails and planning events for the weeks to come. I am particularly excited for civic engagement preparations. As attorney general, I advocate for and promote civic engagement, especially amongst students, and I host voter registration drives in partnership with the city’s office of elections on campus. Due to the pandemic, the events will be different this year, but I am looking forward to seeing and working out how the event and programming can be adapted effectively. After work, I went on a bike ride as my mom went on her evening walk.

Saturday, June 13

Today was restful. It was a relaxing day to unwind from the busy week and to contemplate on all that occurred. Though not near close to being finished, I feel as though a lot of progress has been made in regards to not only discussions, but actions concerning alleviating racial injustice. I am happy that I have been able to contribute to the discourse and action planning that my university, student government and the community have been a part of and involved in. The last two weeks have been saddening due to national and global events surrounding racial tensions and injustice, compounded by the pandemic. However, this past week has allowed me to fuel my sadness into advocacy and soon-to-be change. I look forward to seeing what will be accomplished and taking an active role in the coming weeks, the remainder of the summer and beyond. I spent the rest of the day studying and doing homework. In the evening, I went on a run and later joined my mom on a walk.

Carlita Washington

is an undergraduate student at the University of North Florida studying business and political science who plans to attend law school. Her interests include finance, science, governmental affairs, economic equality and civic engagement, particularly amongst youth. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.