Pro Humanitate in Washington, DC
by Zac Contreras (’23)
“What are you going to do to make someone else’s life better?”
This past week, our cohort heard from Mr. Brian Stolarz about his role in the exoneration of Alfred Dewayne Brown. He passionately described his involvement in the case and the frustrations he felt when dealing with the criminal justice system in Texas. In light of recent Black Lives Matter protests and the murder of George Floyd, Mr. Brown’s story provides additional evidence of the racism and inequity that pervades our current criminal justice system. Individuals like Mr. Stolarz remain resolute in their efforts to eradicate injustice in order to promote a more equitable society in the future.
Our conversation with Mr. Stolarz marked exactly one month since we arrived in DC for the semester. His talk came at an opportune time, as our cohort has mostly settled into our individual internships. For me personally, Mr. Stolarz served as a reminder that I need to make a conscientious effort to not compromise my beliefs and morals during my time in DC. Since coming to the city, it has been easy to lose sight of my original reason for wanting to be in this program. While DC is an exciting place to be, the environment and work culture can be daunting and sometimes overwhelming.
During his talk, Mr. Stolarz asked our group what we were actively doing to improve the lives of others. Although it was likely a rhetorical question, many conversations that I’ve had with my coworkers and peers have dwelled on this idea. Our cohort is composed of high-achieving and eager students who have secured great internships. However, I am constantly asking myself if what I’m doing right now is contributing to some greater good. It is pretty easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of DC life, where networking is everyone’s favorite pastime and success seems to be measured by your number of connections on LinkedIn. I mention Mr. Stolarz and his experience because his life and his work is an embodiment of our motto, Pro Humanitate. He is a man who does not measure success in material wealth, but instead by the opportunities he takes to positively impact those around him. I feel comfortable saying that his talk led many of us to a period of self-reflection.
As we continue our internships and become more comfortable in the city, I am aware now, more than ever, of the need to pursue my passions to their fullest potential. As students, we must never settle for stereotypical “success,” but instead constantly strive to find our purpose in life. While it is easier said than done, I’ve found that the most important thing is to surround yourself with other people who have found their niche. During our time in the Wake Washington program, we’ve had the opportunity to hear from some amazing people. Whether it be Donna Edwards describing her time in Congress or Kate Coventry advocating for the low-income residents of DC, our cohort has witnessed firsthand what it truly means to be “for humanity.” Every speaker has inspired each of us in some way to be better and embody the spirit of the motto that drives our community back home in Winston-Salem and I am forever mindful of my responsibility to live out this motto wherever life takes me. Through making genuine connections with others and engaging in activities that bring me authentic happiness, I also hope to be someone who measures my success in the number of lives I’ve touched along the way, just like Mr. Stolarz.