YOUNG POLITICAL ACTIVIST: MADISON, MISS.

Cory Washington, 18

Cory Washington, 18 from Madison, Mississippi

In Mississippi, the summer of 1963 was a violent one — 30 black homes and 37 black churches were firebombed, and more than 80 civic activists were beaten. The following summer, about 40 Freedom Schools were opened, dedicated to creating "an educational experience for students which will make it possible for them to challenge the myths of our society, to perceive more clearly its realities, and to find alternatives — ultimately new directions for action," in the words of founder Charles Cobb. Though the program floundered through the years, it was reborn in 1992 with the support of the Children's Defense Fund.

This summer, Cory Washington volunteered at his local Freedom School in Jackson, MS. While the focus of the program has changed to include reading and the humanities, it continues to be rooted in political activism. Recently, Jackson Freedom School students held a voter drive where over 1,000 people were registered. They also held rallies to raise concerns about important issues in their community, such as health care, education and voting registration.

Cory feels that he has grown up in a "sheltered" life and may not deal with all of the issues that the average American teen might. But by being a local Freedom School intern, he says he sees firsthand what social and political issues face youth in his home state. He also feels he has given them something: "What I am bringing to the kids is that they can know that they can be educated and still have fun with life."

Could you explain the Freedom School?

It's for minority children. It helps them build their reading skills and helps them to learn more about their culture and their myths about different things, topics, about what has happened and what will happen.

Have you seen any personal benefits from teaching these kids?

Coming to Freedom School, where kids are less fortunate than I am, it gives me a better perspective about different things that go on in Mississippi and in the United States.

What are some of the issues important to the kids you work with?

Some of our kids are uninsured. I've been insured all my life. A lot of our kids are deprived or have emotional issues, and I've never had the problem of being deprived. And these kids coming out of Jackson Public Schools, their education level is not as high as someone who is in Madison County, where I live. The simple fact is that the teachers are being paid so much less for a workload that is so much more.

What issue concerns you today?

Right now an issue that I am probably facing would be the gas prices. It's rough trying to pay gas prices when they are so high.

What national issue do you feel strongly about?
I am going to tell you my view on universal health care. I don't believe in universal health care, and if I'm not mistaken, that's what the Democrats are leaning towards in this election. There are so many problems with that as far as doctors would be paid less, and the wait lists and everything would be more…that's one thing I don't agree with.