Central High School Newsletter 6/2010

Michael Shank is the communications director and policy advisor for U.S. Congressman Mike Honda (Ca-15). Representative Honda, who represents Silicon Valley, Ca, is chairman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee, chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus’s Afghanistan Taskforce, and member of the House Appropriations Committee.

From 2007-2008, Michael was the communications director at George Mason University’s Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution. At the university, Michael advised the institute’s conflict experts on strategic media and policy initiatives related to domestic and international conflicts. In his words, Michael shares some insight about his life journey.

Had you asked me in 1992 when I graduated from Central if I imagined myself in Washington working for the United States Congress, you would’ve found me disbelieving. Not me, I was interested in the Arts. In fact, I think my pink, pig-suited Wilbur performance in Central’s production of “Charlotte’s Web” will go down in infamy. Theatre was my thing, inspiring a Bachelor’s degree, film in Los Angeles, and a co-founded theatre company in Seattle.

Years later, I’m the communications director and policy advisor for US Congressman Michael Honda, member of the House Appropriations Committee and vice-chair of the Democratic Party. How did I get from Wilbur to Washington?

A bit of background first. I’ve only ever wanted to work for social and environmental justice (theatre was my preferred medium), a raison d’etre which rooted early. Being raised Mennonite helped, so too my parents’ influence, but it was more accidental. My dad, who taught Bible at Central and preached at Sonnenberg Mennonite Church, suffered a stroke a year before he died. I was eight years old. Unable to speak and write, my dad’s disability made an accidental caretaker out of my entire family.

I remember it clearly, sitting beside my father while I helped him write and speak the simplest of words – my name. This role-reversal is hardly how a kid should be spending his youth and its impact on me was profound. I saw myself as a guardian of sorts. Every job, whether I was in the US, Middle East, or Asia, focused on protecting the planet and its people – especially ones whose voice was muted or marginalized.

That’s why I’m in Washington now trying to transform the very structures that manifest this marginalization. That’s why I’m pursuing my doctoral degree in conflict analysis and resolution. That’s why I’m writing this article and why I spent the past three years writing for every newspaper that would publish my conflict analysis.

Because I strongly believe we must do everything within our power to help, like Jesus helped “the least of these” – by feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, and taking care of the sick. Half the world – over 3 billion people – lives on less than $2.50 a day, with over one billion people lacking clean drinking water.

We have the means to meet this need, but not the sufficient political and public will. This is why we need more Mennonites in Washington – to convey Jesus’ commitment to nonviolence, justice, and mercy, and to bear witness to the work Mennonites do worldwide. Speaking truth to power is not easy. It wasn’t for Jesus, early Anabaptists, or WWII conscientious objectors, and it won’t be now. But if we don’t speak up, who will?