With these conversations it has been interesting to see the difference in how people are experiencing these situations and how they are absorbing it. Paige Hopkins has been in the thick of it, a new addition to the Charlotte Agenda team, her presence has felt natural. It feels like she has been there all this time. Paige has been reporting on the constant changes to our world these past few months and I asked how she’s doing;
“I feel alright. I have had a lot of family time and just enjoying the little things and just valuing your life. There are good days and bad days. I just feel generally tired — physically and mentally. It’s exhausting seeing images of protesters being pepper-sprayed and beaten, constantly watching the COVID death toll rise, and case number rise, all that sadness can just be tiring.”
Paige has been involved in broadcasting for several yeas and I asked how it all started. “I always wanted to be a journalist, the Today Show was always on in my house, NPR was on during car rides. I went to school and got a great hands-on experience with broadcasting. I enjoy telling peoples stories.”
We had a great dialogue about recent events in Charlotte and I asked if she has any personal goals on how to achieve more awareness as well as bringing the community in the city together.
“I’m grateful to have this platform now where I can be more honest and I get to bring more of my personality to the table. To foster community it involves everyone coming together and everyone listening to each other. It would be great to see people continue to be open and willing to listen. It’s even hard for me sometimes. I’m trying to be better at being patient and appreciating the efforts of other people caring and those that are willing to learn.”
“I hope people don’t let these moments die down, not just with Black Lives Matter but also with COVID-19. We are getting into a lot of different and important topics many of us were not aware of. With both movements, it’s important to not let these moments pass because there is work to do.”
