Participation and Change.gov
The November 11th Democracy Now episode emphasized the importance of the people's, the masses', participation in government. We must show Barack Obama and Joe Biden what we value what we care about, and we must realize that even though the election is over, our task if far from completion. Obama and Biden were elected because of the strength, effort, and will of the people. We must now help them enact the change we hoped for by selecting them. It is not over it is just beginning.
There are many ways to show Obama and Biden what vision we, as Americans, have for our country and our people. But I want to alert people's attention to the website Change.gov. It is the website of Obama, Biden and their tranistion team. Here you can submit ideas, view policies in action, with video. This is groundbreaking and the transparency is like never before. But efforts like this from Obama and Biden mean nothing if we as citizens don't use them. So I encourage all to go to the site, submit ideas, and participate in your future. This is an opportunity not many others have in the world, it is a priviledge. Let us make the best of it.
Lastly, for those of us in education this is a chance for us to starting changing the education system for the better. I hope that teachers who see the possibility for change, will use this opportunity to share their ideas and opinions. For the teachers who day in and day out see education in America become more standardized and less thought provoking. More rote memory and less thinking. Change is now. Get your message to the President-elect, and get your message to others. Furthermore, ask your students to get on the website. Get them thinking critcally about the issues and get them to take action. This is how we will build the America we all dream of, through active and constructive participation of many. Because we must work as one to get where we hope to go. I will end with and African Proverb: "If you want to travel fast, travel alone. If you want to far, travel together."
Change.gov
"A house built by slaves"
The White House
"A house built by slaves"
It was extremely moving to see the Obama's visiting their future home, The White House, a house built by slaves. Yesterday on the independent radio/tv news program Democracy Now, Alice Walker read her open letter to Barack Obama. Alice Walker was the first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize. She won the award for her work The Color Purple. Walker exudes a calming wisdom as she reads her eloquent and powerful prose.
I suggest that everybody take a few minutes and listen to Walker's words. They are profound and capture some of the magnitude and hope of this historic moment.
Click the link below for the entire show from Tuesday November 11th. I reccommend watching the entire episode, however for just the Walker portion, go to minute 9:56 and watch from there.
Enjoy!
http://www.democracynow.org/shows/2008/11/11
And please leave your thoughts and comments about the clip, the election in general, or any other thoughts you may be inspired to leave.
"Work Hard. Be Nice."
As a senior at Swarthmore, I have to decide on my future. What to do, where to go? Right now it's all up in the air. My friend, Chris, who is thinking about applying for Teach For America sent me this video about KIPP Schools.
The schools are inspirational, and utilize alternative instruction methods to empower youth with a solid education. Watch the profile of KIPP schools on Oprah below. It will make you understand how essential education is to an individual, because of how it makes the child feel. Hopefully with the new Presidency education can help all. (The only link to the video is through facebook, so you must have an account to see the video).
http://www.kipp.org
The video:
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/video/video.php?v=1049580592849
