About Me

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Washington, DC, United States
Democratic in thinking and conservative in principles, Marissa Calhoun is 22, and works as a News assistant at Cable News Network (CNN) based in their Washington, DC bureau. In 2010, Marissa graduated with honors from Bucknell University where she double majored in English, Film & Media Studies and Women and Gender Studies. Marissa has had numerous internship experiences in the media and television industries. Her passion and the pursuit of her heart is journalism. While in college Marissa interned with The Public Broadcasting Network, Voice of America, MTV Network's and The Discovery Channel. She is currently writing a testimonial piece entitled "Letters To A Sister On Loving" which will highlight the unsettling experience of abuse during one's childhood, Black female identity and coming of age. In 2011 Marissa will serve as a Reporter for the Women in Media Foundations Congressional Conference in which the World's top female journalist come together to give account of their experiences and hardships in the field of communications.

Friday, December 24, 2010

"I am hungry. I have nothing. Can I please have some food. You can give me anything you want."

     The more God blesses me, the heavier the burden he places on my heart. As I sat at work complaining about having to be here on Christmas Eve, I decided to go across the street and grab a salad from Union Station. The place was swarming with homeless and poor people. I was annoyed by one lady who followed me around the entire store for 35 cents. After I had finished my window shopping and talked my self out of that new pair of shoes, I went into Chopt' for a salad. A man walked in and kindly said to the merchant "I am hungry. I have nothing. Can I please have some food. You can give me anything you want." The merchant immediately responded by offering the man any salad he wanted to have on the menu. My heart sank an my eyes swelled with tears; that was the spirit of Christmas. As I rode back to work, I had to ask myself "why you tripping? You seen homeless people before. Hell, you work in DC you see them all the time." This experience was different for me. This man appeared to be an ordinary man; he seemed to have ordinary luck. He spoke well, and was fully clothed and clean. This man could have been anyone-- he could have been me. In the eve of a recession and in the wake of the personal storms so many people are experiencing, this holiday season should be a time for reflection. I may not ever have everything I  want in this life, but I have a life that does not reduce me to having to beg in order to survive.  Tomorrow as I gather around a table and laugh with my beautiful family creating new memories I will do so bearing in mind that so many people have no memories to recollect, no family to visit with, and no food to eat. I may not be a millionaire with all the riches in the world, but I have been blessed and I am rich with love and opportunity. I can use this to glorify myself and build my own pedestal or I can use this to build the Kingdom of heaven here on earth. As far as I'm concerned every man and woman poor or rich, weak or strong, broken or beloved deserves a seat at His table. As far as I'm concerned so long as His cup overflows we all deserve to eat! May God bless this man and his life and all the others who are without food and shelter this holiday season. And may God continue to advance and use me so that I may repay my debts to him through others in need. "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours in the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh." Luke 6 vs. 201-21
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