This ordinary loves reading. She studied English and Political Science, and now, she’s working for a political campaign.

What did you study in college and what inspired you to study it or them?

In undergrad I studied English and Political Science. I think I decided to study English because I thought that was what I was best at — thinking that I can produce my best quality work in writing. English is the ultimate major because it forces you to learn about a perspective of every corner of this globe. [It] sounds cheesy but in the things that you read, you explore conflict-resolution, friendship, and love. In English curriculum, it covers every aspect of human experience.

As for political science, when I was a freshman, I thought that everyone pictured a similar collegial experience — arguing about current political issues and disagreeing on a too-green expanse of lawn. But after talking to everyone, I noticed that that was just something I envisioned, and I decided to go from there.

How does your experience and knowledge that you were exposed to or obtained from college affect your work now?

In all the curriculum that I learned in undergrad the most important lesson is that everything is more complex than it seems to be. Everyone loves ‘yes or no’ answers but being exposed to discussions, not everyone has the same answer to a question or experiences to bring. I thought I had a good grasp on that — in high school — but college multiplied those perspectives.

Honestly reading lesbian fiction (i.e. Rubyfruit Jungle) and how I never had to come out and that my sexuality was assumed — having recently discovered that part of queer experience. Despite being friends with gay people all my life, I thought I knew that aspect of their experience, but I did not even come close.

How would you describe and explain “politics” to a child who is completely unaware of the concept, word, or idea?

Politics is a seeking of durable compromise between different ideas and groups.

Why do you think people have negative perspective towards politics?

Debating your firm beliefs is difficult and realizing that you could be wrong is not an option for some people.

Working in Georgia’s 2018 campaign, specifically with the first African-American woman to run as a governor under the Democratic party, what are some common yet important problems that you’ve observed or experienced?

I think first and foremost, immediate dismissal because she is a democratic candidate even though she wants to build an economy for every family in our state. Of course, racism persists in Georgia, but Stacey Abrams’ vision is not disrupted by racism.

When you are working in a campaign, what do you really think about the people?

We all have the same basic needs and it’s unfair that some people have some things satisfied and others do not.

What are some problems that you see among our generation?

Nobody reads anymore. I’m not talking about short Buzzfeed articles or Instagram posts. Nobody reads a list of books in a month. That activity is so important because it flexes your analytical muscles and improves the way we observe and judge the world.

What are some ways that we can alleviate the problem?

I don’t really know how to make reading cool again, but we can probably start by encouraging its importance in undergrad and in high school. It’s hard to combat a Tweet with a 500 page book; do you really think that love for books is based on personality? I really don’t know how.

What makes you happy?

Realizing that my friends see the way how I see myself. It reminds me that I am not censoring anything.