WASHINGTON, DC – Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that Kelsey Matthews II from the Statesman School for Boys and Anthony Carter III from Charles Hart Middle School were selected as the District of Columbia ambassadors for the “Do the Write Thing” Challenge, a national anti-violence essay contest that encourages young people to voice their opinions on and experiences with violence and present their proposals on how best to improve public safety. This year marks the 8th year that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has sponsored the challenge.
“Violence often has the most devastating and traumatic impact on young people. As District leaders work to improve public safety across the city, it is critical that we seek out and listen to our youth and incorporate their perspectives and advice into our efforts,” said AG Schwalb. “Congratulations to Kelsey, Anthony, and all the District students who wrote powerful essays about their experiences with violence. They have demonstrated remarkable resilience and provided insightful ideas on how to make our city safer.”
“Do the Write Thing” Challenge
The “Do the Write Thing” Challenge” is a national essay contest that gives middle school students the chance to speak out about how violence affects their lives and share their ideas about what must be done to stop it. The contest is an initiative of the National Campaign to Stop Violence, a non-profit comprised of community, business, and governmental leaders who have come together to reduce youth violence across the country.
Over 60 students from 3 schools submitted essays this year. Charles Hart Middle School had over 40 essayists, the largest of any participating school. Other participating schools include Statesman School for Boys, and Center City PCS – Brightwood. Among these submissions, gun violence and cyberbullying/bullying were the most frequent themes.
2023 Challenge Ambassadors
Kelsey described how social media and easy access to guns, in particular how guns and violence are portrayed on social media sites and through music, can have a negative impact on young people and drive violence in communities.
EXCERPT: “Gun violence is one of the most active crimes happening every day. A lot of young kids and teens are getting their hands on guns. Guns are shown a lot in the neighborhood and on social media… Social media plays a big part because it promotes violence and has a high rate of media influence on the youth to which they have daily access…More and more youth are becoming lost and a part of the violence in their neighborhoods.”
A copy of Kelsey’s essay is available here.
Anthony wrote a powerful essay about his personal experience with violence, suggesting that having positive role models and a supportive community from a young age are critical to ensure kids live healthy, hopeful lives.
EXCERPT: “As far as I can remember violence has been in my life and has affected me in many ways. Whether it was me being, shot at, or even witnessing violence at a young age…We as a community can stop youth violence by showing kids better things in life…That is my responsibility and yours.”
A copy of Anthony’s essay is available here.
As National Ambassadors, Kelsey and Anthony, their parents/guardians, and the teachers who submitted their essays were invited this week to participate in the “Do the Write Thing Challenge National Recognition Week” in DC. This year’s Do the Write Thing recognition ceremony’s theme was “Words are a passport for change”. In addition to having their works placed in the Library of Congress, Kelsey and Anthony will continue engagement with OAG to ensure youth voices are elevated and incorporated into our efforts to end violence and improve public safety across the District.