Semester End Reflections By Natividad Herrera

Pandemic: (of a disease) prevalent over a whole country or the world.

Over the course of my life I have faced two pandemics: most recently the COVID-19 pandemic that has claimed thousands of lives and before that, racism that has claimed even more. 

Growing up Latina in Minnesota I was surrounded by white faces and had constant micro-aggressions and blatant racism expressed toward me. I always anticipated that this is something I would just have to face in the workplace, but after interning with 826 MSP, that changed for me. 

I’ve constantly heard that my life experiences are too controversial for professional settings—even when those places were supposed to benefit me. I figured most organizations would be like this. However, 826 MSP is different. They know that the community they serve has a unique narrative and instead of pushing that under the rug, they cultivate and amplify the perspectives and dreams of the students. 

Students are taught that their words are important enough to put on paper and share with the world. Student and staff identities are not only accepted but celebrated. Students read from local BIPOC authors, participate in writing projects that specifically cater to them and their upbringings, and many even have the potential to be paid for their work. 

Having an internship with 826 MSP has eased my fears—because of them I know that I don’t have to compromise in the workplace. Because of the compassion and understanding at the forefront of their work, I have more trust in the world and in myself for my own capabilities. 

826 MSP has internship openings for the spring semester. Learn more and apply here: https://www.826msp.org/internships