I’m finally in Phoenix for the infamous Teach For America Institute, which is a 5 week training program of teaching and masters level classes on curriculum and literacy.
Last summer, I interned with Teach For America at the Chicago institute, so I had seen the entire summer operation from a different perspective. As I prepared to make the cross-country move and start my life as a teacher, I felt confident that I had the road map to avoid the pitfalls at institute. Sleep, don’t stress about small things out of your control, plan ahead, find a strong supporting network, etc.
I still have this road map, but the road is filled with a lot more potholes and “tar snakes” (as Pops told me) that will make my summer experience challenging but wonderfully exciting.
I absolutely cannot wait to meet my students for the summer and this fall. Together, we will achieve academically and personally in a community of passionate, curious learners.
Random information that might deserve a blog post, but for the sake of time, I’ll put it all here.
1. COLORADO CORPS: After meeting the 2011 Colorado corps, I’m actually more excited to be in Denver (I never thought that was possible). We have approximately 240 corps members from 138 different colleges and universities from around the country. Even with all of our differences, we’ve all noticed a refreshingly relaxed vibe from our corps, especially compared to some other regions. It’s hard to explain, so I’ll try to explain sometime later.
On a similar note, people have been asking why I’m excited to be in Colorado. Here are a few reasons:
- mountains & the outdoors
- skiing, skiing, and more skiing
- Colorado’s educational landscape is full of innovative and entrepreneurial leaders who have embraced a progressive approach to ensuring educational EQUITY for all students (not just “opportunity” for a great education; instead looking at outcomes)
- Denver has the most microbreweries per capita in the country
- My school (West Denver Prep) is one of the highest achieving school networks in the entire state!
2. INSTITUTE SCHOOL: I’m a member of the Valley View Dragons school team this summer. I’ll be collaboratively teaching 3rd/4th grade with three other corps members for approximately 5 weeks; the district has identified math and literacy as the two content areas for us to focus on during the summer program, and I’m extremely excited to work with this age. I’ll be focusing a lot on the foundations of math and literacy, so when I begin teaching 7th grade math in August, I’ll have a better grasp of how my curriculum builds on the basics.
One final thing about Valley View—the school has a full working garden and animal habitat on site. We have goats and other animals to greet us everyday. Yes, I’m excited.
3. MY “COACH”: One aspect of the support network for this summer is a “Corps Member Advisor” (CMA from here on out), who serves as a coach of sorts to improve teaching. Each CMA has 12 corps members (first year teachers), and the CMA works directly with these corps members to provide feedback, support, evaluation, etc.
I’m incredibly excited to have Dr. Felicia Clark (http://mat.usc.edu/felicia-clark/) as my CMA. Dr. Clark is a 1990 Teach For America corps member, which means she was a member of the FIRST cohort of teachers. Now after 20 years, the 2011 cohort of teachers is over 5,300 strong, and I’m looking forward to learning from Dr. Clark throughout this summer and in the future. As a math teacher, she will be an invaluable resource as I work to become my best (teacher) self.
4. MY VISION: I will have a classroom community of “every second learners” where each person learns through discovery, embraces curiosity, and asks questions. We will focus on academic achievement in an atmosphere of equality and respect where vulnerability is celebrated, so that together we can grow as a classroom community. Finally, we will adopt a mindset of “community centered collaboration with a spirit of creative entrepreneurship.”
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Grayton Beach Photos 1
Grayton Beach is one of my favorite places in the world.
My grandfather started coming down to Grayton in the 1920's when he was a young boy, and he fell in the love with the place. In the mid 50's, he started building a cinder block sealake cottage. The house has survived over a half century of hurricanes, and I like to think that the infamous McGee stubbornness has kept the house standing.
Here are a few pictures from the first two days of this trip to Grayton.
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| the McGee Pier that isn't as sturdy as the house |
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| Grayton Beach |
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| beach |
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| with HB |
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| audition for Castaway in Grayton |
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| HB in a linebacker stance |
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| intimidation face |
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| the red bar for lunch |
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| dancing to live music |
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| red bar |
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| random bust |
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Interview on the Michael Eric Dyson Show
Check out this interview that I did with another student rider--Michellay Cole--on the Michael Eric Dyson radio show.
Our part begins around 33:00 on the show. Enjoy! The interview is found here: http://dysonshow.org/?p=4834
& here's a funny story about Michellay and "southernness" from the trip.
When we rode through Selma, we marched in silence across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to reflect on the courage and determination of 50 mile march to Montgomery. After we crossed the bridge, everyone looked at the murals, memorials, and other plaques that honored leaders of the movement.
One memorial had a series of large stones in a pool of water, and I saw Michellay and Charles Reed looking at the water in disbelief. I looked down, saw tadpoles swimming around and didn't think anything more about it. A few more moments passed, and I saw Charles and Michellay laughing again at the tadpoles.
While thinking to myself that surely everyone has seen tadpoles, I turned and lightheartedly asked, "Ya'll haven't seen tadpoles before?" They both burst into laughter and told me of course not--they are city people.
Since I grew up with tadpoles all over the place--at the puddles by the soccer fields, in the stream behind my house, in the river at Heardmont Park--seeing them wasn't out of the ordinary at all. As I know now, not everyone had the joy of playing with tadpoles during their childhood, and this realization makes much more appreciative of the uniqueness of the southern thing.
Our part begins around 33:00 on the show. Enjoy! The interview is found here: http://dysonshow.org/?p=4834
& here's a funny story about Michellay and "southernness" from the trip.
When we rode through Selma, we marched in silence across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to reflect on the courage and determination of 50 mile march to Montgomery. After we crossed the bridge, everyone looked at the murals, memorials, and other plaques that honored leaders of the movement.
One memorial had a series of large stones in a pool of water, and I saw Michellay and Charles Reed looking at the water in disbelief. I looked down, saw tadpoles swimming around and didn't think anything more about it. A few more moments passed, and I saw Charles and Michellay laughing again at the tadpoles.
While thinking to myself that surely everyone has seen tadpoles, I turned and lightheartedly asked, "Ya'll haven't seen tadpoles before?" They both burst into laughter and told me of course not--they are city people.
Since I grew up with tadpoles all over the place--at the puddles by the soccer fields, in the stream behind my house, in the river at Heardmont Park--seeing them wasn't out of the ordinary at all. As I know now, not everyone had the joy of playing with tadpoles during their childhood, and this realization makes much more appreciative of the uniqueness of the southern thing.
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| Lining up to cross the bridge. Photo by Esther. |
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| On the bridge. Photo by Rachael |
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| The Alabama River. Photo by Rachael |
Sunday, May 22, 2011
An Open Letter to Tuscaloosa Mayor
Since I won't be in Tuscaloosa for the rebuilding process, I've decided to send Mayor Maddox a letter. Why? Well, why not? Thanks to the #pbsbus for spurring it in me.
This letter is the first draft, and I'll probably review it again over the weekend (or after any comments). After reviewing it, I'll mail it to him.
Do I expect him to read it? Probably not. Do I expect a response? I'm not holding my breath. Am I ok with this probable outcome? Yep.
My hope is that people with an interest in Tuscaloosa will read it, think about it, and disagree with me, so we can begin a dialogue.
Here it is:
Dear Mayor Maddox,
I am writing a letter to you as a recent graduate of The University of Alabama who will not be able to directly participate in the Tuscaloosa rebuilding process. I am moving to Colorado in two weeks to begin teaching 7th grade math in Denver, so while I know that my students and I will make a difference in our community, I also want to share my hopes about the upcoming redevelopment of Tuscaloosa.
Though my time as an undergraduate ended prematurely, I will forever look to Tuscaloosa for inspiration during times of crisis. Following the devastating storms on April 27, our city and its residents responded with resiliency and courage in the midst of great pain and anguish. You have provided steadfast leadership, and as The New York Times noted, incredible foresight in training city employees in disaster relief.
I cannot thank you more for the leadership you have displayed during not only this time, but also throughout your time as mayor. As a member of the University Fellows Experience and Blackburn Institute, I have heard your vision for Tuscaloosa firsthand. At a time when mayors around the country struggle to cope with budget cuts, city corruption and partisan politics, you have found ways to incorporate community-based initiatives with a spirit of creative entrepreneurship into the very fabric of Tuscaloosa. Thank you for modeling ethical and progressive leadership for students at The University of Alabama.
As the city develops a rebuilding plan, I hope that Tuscaloosa will adopt a model that emphasizes community engagement and facilitates strong relationships outside of traditional socioeconomic classes, religions, and races. We have an opportunity to transform Tuscaloosa through urban design, and I hope you and the city council will embrace this opportunity.
The direction we take as a city will clearly show what is most important to the community. What type of redevelopment will we pursue: sprawling condominiums for use on football Saturdays, or mixed income housing that facilitates community-wide relationships; national and regional chain restaurants, or unique, locally owned and created establishments; sustainable environmental initiatives, or the fastest, lowest-cost building options? By considering these questions and their implications, I believe Tuscaloosa can become a model for other cities looking to develop a strong, unique community.
I have faith in you, the council members, and the people of Tuscaloosa to ask these difficult questions in order to help Tuscaloosa become the vibrant community we all hope it can be. I hope that in twenty years, today’s faith will have grown into a prosperous Tuscaloosa for all.
Sincerely,
Marshall Houston
This letter is the first draft, and I'll probably review it again over the weekend (or after any comments). After reviewing it, I'll mail it to him.
Do I expect him to read it? Probably not. Do I expect a response? I'm not holding my breath. Am I ok with this probable outcome? Yep.
My hope is that people with an interest in Tuscaloosa will read it, think about it, and disagree with me, so we can begin a dialogue.
Here it is:
Dear Mayor Maddox,
I am writing a letter to you as a recent graduate of The University of Alabama who will not be able to directly participate in the Tuscaloosa rebuilding process. I am moving to Colorado in two weeks to begin teaching 7th grade math in Denver, so while I know that my students and I will make a difference in our community, I also want to share my hopes about the upcoming redevelopment of Tuscaloosa.
Though my time as an undergraduate ended prematurely, I will forever look to Tuscaloosa for inspiration during times of crisis. Following the devastating storms on April 27, our city and its residents responded with resiliency and courage in the midst of great pain and anguish. You have provided steadfast leadership, and as The New York Times noted, incredible foresight in training city employees in disaster relief.
I cannot thank you more for the leadership you have displayed during not only this time, but also throughout your time as mayor. As a member of the University Fellows Experience and Blackburn Institute, I have heard your vision for Tuscaloosa firsthand. At a time when mayors around the country struggle to cope with budget cuts, city corruption and partisan politics, you have found ways to incorporate community-based initiatives with a spirit of creative entrepreneurship into the very fabric of Tuscaloosa. Thank you for modeling ethical and progressive leadership for students at The University of Alabama.
As the city develops a rebuilding plan, I hope that Tuscaloosa will adopt a model that emphasizes community engagement and facilitates strong relationships outside of traditional socioeconomic classes, religions, and races. We have an opportunity to transform Tuscaloosa through urban design, and I hope you and the city council will embrace this opportunity.
The direction we take as a city will clearly show what is most important to the community. What type of redevelopment will we pursue: sprawling condominiums for use on football Saturdays, or mixed income housing that facilitates community-wide relationships; national and regional chain restaurants, or unique, locally owned and created establishments; sustainable environmental initiatives, or the fastest, lowest-cost building options? By considering these questions and their implications, I believe Tuscaloosa can become a model for other cities looking to develop a strong, unique community.
I have faith in you, the council members, and the people of Tuscaloosa to ask these difficult questions in order to help Tuscaloosa become the vibrant community we all hope it can be. I hope that in twenty years, today’s faith will have grown into a prosperous Tuscaloosa for all.
Sincerely,
Marshall Houston
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Reminders of Tuscaloosa
Yesterday’s drive through Nasvhille to Lexington hit me hard emotionally. Along the way, quick glimpses of the aftermath from the April 27 tornadoes reminded me of Tuscaloosa.
On May 3, I left Tuscaloosa for the last time as an undergraduate. Since that time, I rode over 1500 miles from Washington D.C. to New Orleans, Louisiana on a bus with a custom wrapping that screamed “FREEDOM RIDERS” in bright, fluorescent yellow. I was one of 40 lucky college students with the opportunity to retrace the original path of the 1961 Freedom Riders, when young people from around the country challenged the segregationist South for the equality of all people.
Though this ride took us down the same roads that I traveled yesterday, my focus during the ride rarely turned outwards. For 11 days, the most interesting people from around the country—and even the world—surrounded me on the journey, so how could I turn away from that opportunity? Here I had the future leaders of tomorrow in nearly every industry and field imaginable.
In addition to the focus on my fellow riders, the trip was an exercise in personal identity. For years, I had tried unsuccessfully to reconcile my family’s history—at once I’m a 7th generation Alabamian with plantation owning ancestors, a great, great-grandson of a Cherokee, and a great-grandson of a poor sharecropper who had 13 children. Throughout the ride, I came to understand my family history in new term—terms without shame or guilt—but also terms that will never settle for oppressive or unjust systems in society.
So while this trip allowed me to learn from future leaders and reconcile my complicated family history, in a way I didn’t spend time remembering Tuscaloosa. Yes, I posted photographs and a reflection about Tuscaloosa; sure, I talked with family and friends back home. But ultimately I was shielded from the realities of devastation in my home state and my home of the past four years.
Yesterday, the drive brought the realities of this destruction back into my mind. Snapped trees, bent road signs, darks clouds or even the threat of rain, send my mind racing back to Tuscaloosa—to my walk with Jake and Jameson along 15th street at 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, a few hours after the storm. We were speechless; was this really my town? I had been to Chipotle that day for lunch, and now the buildings I passed to grab lunch were demolished? Couldn’t be. Nope, this wasn’t real.
But it was. And it is still is real. Too real to forget.
For the rest of my life, I’ll be reminded of April 27, 2011 and the days afterwards. That day will stay with me, but I won’t be paralyzed by the destruction. No, I’ll play my part in the rebuilding process. Somehow, I’ll find my unique role and play it to the best of my ability.
Ask yourself this: what’s my role and how can I play my part to the best of my ability?
On May 3, I left Tuscaloosa for the last time as an undergraduate. Since that time, I rode over 1500 miles from Washington D.C. to New Orleans, Louisiana on a bus with a custom wrapping that screamed “FREEDOM RIDERS” in bright, fluorescent yellow. I was one of 40 lucky college students with the opportunity to retrace the original path of the 1961 Freedom Riders, when young people from around the country challenged the segregationist South for the equality of all people.
Though this ride took us down the same roads that I traveled yesterday, my focus during the ride rarely turned outwards. For 11 days, the most interesting people from around the country—and even the world—surrounded me on the journey, so how could I turn away from that opportunity? Here I had the future leaders of tomorrow in nearly every industry and field imaginable.
In addition to the focus on my fellow riders, the trip was an exercise in personal identity. For years, I had tried unsuccessfully to reconcile my family’s history—at once I’m a 7th generation Alabamian with plantation owning ancestors, a great, great-grandson of a Cherokee, and a great-grandson of a poor sharecropper who had 13 children. Throughout the ride, I came to understand my family history in new term—terms without shame or guilt—but also terms that will never settle for oppressive or unjust systems in society.
So while this trip allowed me to learn from future leaders and reconcile my complicated family history, in a way I didn’t spend time remembering Tuscaloosa. Yes, I posted photographs and a reflection about Tuscaloosa; sure, I talked with family and friends back home. But ultimately I was shielded from the realities of devastation in my home state and my home of the past four years.
Yesterday, the drive brought the realities of this destruction back into my mind. Snapped trees, bent road signs, darks clouds or even the threat of rain, send my mind racing back to Tuscaloosa—to my walk with Jake and Jameson along 15th street at 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, a few hours after the storm. We were speechless; was this really my town? I had been to Chipotle that day for lunch, and now the buildings I passed to grab lunch were demolished? Couldn’t be. Nope, this wasn’t real.
But it was. And it is still is real. Too real to forget.
For the rest of my life, I’ll be reminded of April 27, 2011 and the days afterwards. That day will stay with me, but I won’t be paralyzed by the destruction. No, I’ll play my part in the rebuilding process. Somehow, I’ll find my unique role and play it to the best of my ability.
Ask yourself this: what’s my role and how can I play my part to the best of my ability?
Friday, May 20, 2011
Arrival in Nashville + thoughts during the drive
I have about 45 minutes to kill in Nashville before visiting with John Seigenthaler, friend and former aide to the Kennedy brothers and noted journalist, and the drive up from Birmingham was productive in terms of generating some ideas for the blog/other things.
Here are the ideas. I'm hoping these will become more than just ideas, so hold me to it!
1. An open letter to Tuscaloosa Mayor Maddox expressing my hope for redevelopment after the storm to be focused on sustainable technology/design, innovative community spaces to facilitate interaction between traditionally isolated groups (can be based on socioeconomic levels, race, religion, student v resident, etc), and anything other than chain restaurants/sprawling condos/vast apartment complexes.
2. An open letter to UA President Dr. Witt expressing my hopes for UA in the Tuscaloosa redevelopment + development of the Bryce properties. Like the letter to the mayor, I hope UA will use innovative urban design principles to create community "hotspots" and interactive flex spaces that emphasize "collaboration as innovation" to facilitate "community based problem-solving in a spirit of creative entrepreneurship." Those ideas may sound familiar because I attempted to discuss their meaning on the PBS Student Freedom Ride blog (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/freedomriders/2011/2011/05/17/marshall-essay-2/)
3. Vignettes from the 2011 Student Freedom Ride that continue to pop up in my mind.
4. Images/sights that send my thoughts back to Tuscaloosa and my attempts think about how I can contribute to the Tuscaloosa rebuilding effort from Colorado.
5. Thoughts about an article on building intellectual capacity, the "mindset" of the future, how social media plays into this idea....
We'll see what happens. I plan to post the first draft of the letter online, revise it, then send it to Mayor Maddox & Dr. Witt. I might even include pictures of the letter going into the mail...
Here are the ideas. I'm hoping these will become more than just ideas, so hold me to it!
1. An open letter to Tuscaloosa Mayor Maddox expressing my hope for redevelopment after the storm to be focused on sustainable technology/design, innovative community spaces to facilitate interaction between traditionally isolated groups (can be based on socioeconomic levels, race, religion, student v resident, etc), and anything other than chain restaurants/sprawling condos/vast apartment complexes.
2. An open letter to UA President Dr. Witt expressing my hopes for UA in the Tuscaloosa redevelopment + development of the Bryce properties. Like the letter to the mayor, I hope UA will use innovative urban design principles to create community "hotspots" and interactive flex spaces that emphasize "collaboration as innovation" to facilitate "community based problem-solving in a spirit of creative entrepreneurship." Those ideas may sound familiar because I attempted to discuss their meaning on the PBS Student Freedom Ride blog (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/freedomriders/2011/2011/05/17/marshall-essay-2/)
3. Vignettes from the 2011 Student Freedom Ride that continue to pop up in my mind.
4. Images/sights that send my thoughts back to Tuscaloosa and my attempts think about how I can contribute to the Tuscaloosa rebuilding effort from Colorado.
5. Thoughts about an article on building intellectual capacity, the "mindset" of the future, how social media plays into this idea....
We'll see what happens. I plan to post the first draft of the letter online, revise it, then send it to Mayor Maddox & Dr. Witt. I might even include pictures of the letter going into the mail...
Thursday, May 19, 2011
A New Direction--The Bus of Life
Now that the 2011 Student Freedom Ride is officially over, I’ve been thinking about what to do with this blog.
Should I leave it be as a stand-alone journal of my trip? Should I continue to post on this blog with things that relate to the ride and create a different blog for other ideas?
I’ve decided to continue updating this blog with all things I find interesting. The topics will be as wide-ranging as my daily interests, so at any given time, it could be technology, design, sports, photography, film, education…. If you can name it, it will probably end up on here in some form or fashion.
Though I’m no longer on the PBS bus, my experiences during the 11-day ride have changed my outlook on life and the way in which I interact with others, so I like to think that I’m still on the bus—though only in spirit now. 40 deep we roll!
My hope is that the blog will be a starting point for discussion and collaboration.
We’ll see what happens! Thanks for hopping on the bus of life with me.
Should I leave it be as a stand-alone journal of my trip? Should I continue to post on this blog with things that relate to the ride and create a different blog for other ideas?
I’ve decided to continue updating this blog with all things I find interesting. The topics will be as wide-ranging as my daily interests, so at any given time, it could be technology, design, sports, photography, film, education…. If you can name it, it will probably end up on here in some form or fashion.
Though I’m no longer on the PBS bus, my experiences during the 11-day ride have changed my outlook on life and the way in which I interact with others, so I like to think that I’m still on the bus—though only in spirit now. 40 deep we roll!
My hope is that the blog will be a starting point for discussion and collaboration.
We’ll see what happens! Thanks for hopping on the bus of life with me.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Q&A Series: Jimmy Young, UA Graduate & Uniting Alabama Gubernatorial Debate Coordinator
Part 5.
Jimmy Young, the coordinator for the 2010 Uniting Alabama Debate, is the fifth (and possibly final) part of the Q&A series on civic engagement in Alabama.
Jimmy and I met in Boston during high school, and then became great friends in throughout college. Through his work at UA, both in general and specifically with the gubernatorial debate, he has impacted numerous students with his dedication and commitment to ethical leadership.
Enjoy, and many thanks to Jimmy for participating. He's busy with a new job, so I'm extremely grateful to him.
1. What does civic engagement mean to you personally?
One could argue that civic engagement has been an integral part of American society since the country’s inception. From the revolutionary leaders to the colonist in the battlefield, everyone placed themselves in harms way with the goal of creating a better tomorrow. Since that time, people and groups have routinely banded together in support of their neighbor, community, state, and nation.
For me, civic engagement are those acts where people come together and work towards a better tomorrow for not just themselves but for society as a whole.
2. How have you seen the college generation use technology and social media for civic engagement? What most surprises you about their use? How have you used it personally?
Over my time in school, social media became increasingly more important in student engagement initiatives. For better or worse, social media reached students quickly and effectively. A cookout could not be planned without a facebook page or a leadership group without a twitter account.
In my experiences with social media, I would say the most surprising aspect is the room for growth still available. While some social media campaigns reached all over campus, many never fulfilled their potential, As more students continue to develop strategies for effective campaigns, students from all over can be united quickly and effectively for one common cause.
3. Beginning in April 2009, you worked on the Uniting Alabama Gubernatorial Debate. How did this project evolve in the next 16 months? What were the most difficult challenges you and others had to overcome? What was most rewarding about the project?
Working on the debate was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Over those 16 months, the small idea of having the candidates to campus evolved into a national televised event that reached all 4.7 million people in Alabama. Beginning by meeting with university administrators, a group of students was able to develop the premier events of the 2010 Alabama election cycle.
In the planning of the debate, the most rewarding moment came in watching people fill the concert hall. As I watched over 750 people walk through the door, some stopping to give interviews to the news stations present, I stood in amazement that a collaborative effort of students and administrators had been able to build an atmosphere of such excitement and anticipation. For at least one night in the 2010 election cycle, the students of the University of Alabama were able to listen to the candidates and their platforms first hand.
4. How does the debate relate to civic engagement at The University of Alabama and in the state at large? What do projects like this one say about The University of Alabama?
Similar to other civic engagement initiatives, the debate strived to create an educated electorate. However unlike others, the debate did not push one thought or idea but a hope that people would make smart informed decisions when electing Alabama’s next leaders. By giving both students and Alabama’s population a opportunity to hear both candidates answer questions, the debate allowed every listener to hear plans for leading Alabama forward. Hopefully, listeners took those plans and voted in an educated manner. Only making educated votes and electing quality leaders will communities, states, and the nation continue to prosper.
5. If you were starting the project over again, what would you change? What advice would you give someone who is looking to start a similarly sized project?
The biggest piece of advice I can provide is to build the best team of people as quickly as possible. Even though ever group has a leader, that leader only accomplishes as much as his teammates allow. Planning an event that has parts ranging from television production to parking and ticket distribution requires a team of people who will work together and hold each other accountable.
6. How did you and others incorporate technology and social media in the debate to reach a larger audience? What were the keys to successful integration of technology and social media into this project?
From soliciting questions to releasing information, social media played a large role in the debate. Members of our team used twitter and facebook to inform people of how to submit a question or request a ticket. Other members worked with web designers to build an interactive website filed with all the vital information.
For us, the key in making social media successful was partnering with people who had experience and knowledge in the area. Going back to building the best team possible, we had certain members that provided assistance in a select area that played a huge role in making the event a success.
Jimmy Young, the coordinator for the 2010 Uniting Alabama Debate, is the fifth (and possibly final) part of the Q&A series on civic engagement in Alabama.
Jimmy and I met in Boston during high school, and then became great friends in throughout college. Through his work at UA, both in general and specifically with the gubernatorial debate, he has impacted numerous students with his dedication and commitment to ethical leadership.
Enjoy, and many thanks to Jimmy for participating. He's busy with a new job, so I'm extremely grateful to him.
1. What does civic engagement mean to you personally?
One could argue that civic engagement has been an integral part of American society since the country’s inception. From the revolutionary leaders to the colonist in the battlefield, everyone placed themselves in harms way with the goal of creating a better tomorrow. Since that time, people and groups have routinely banded together in support of their neighbor, community, state, and nation.
For me, civic engagement are those acts where people come together and work towards a better tomorrow for not just themselves but for society as a whole.
2. How have you seen the college generation use technology and social media for civic engagement? What most surprises you about their use? How have you used it personally?
Over my time in school, social media became increasingly more important in student engagement initiatives. For better or worse, social media reached students quickly and effectively. A cookout could not be planned without a facebook page or a leadership group without a twitter account.
In my experiences with social media, I would say the most surprising aspect is the room for growth still available. While some social media campaigns reached all over campus, many never fulfilled their potential, As more students continue to develop strategies for effective campaigns, students from all over can be united quickly and effectively for one common cause.
3. Beginning in April 2009, you worked on the Uniting Alabama Gubernatorial Debate. How did this project evolve in the next 16 months? What were the most difficult challenges you and others had to overcome? What was most rewarding about the project?
Working on the debate was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Over those 16 months, the small idea of having the candidates to campus evolved into a national televised event that reached all 4.7 million people in Alabama. Beginning by meeting with university administrators, a group of students was able to develop the premier events of the 2010 Alabama election cycle.
In the planning of the debate, the most rewarding moment came in watching people fill the concert hall. As I watched over 750 people walk through the door, some stopping to give interviews to the news stations present, I stood in amazement that a collaborative effort of students and administrators had been able to build an atmosphere of such excitement and anticipation. For at least one night in the 2010 election cycle, the students of the University of Alabama were able to listen to the candidates and their platforms first hand.
4. How does the debate relate to civic engagement at The University of Alabama and in the state at large? What do projects like this one say about The University of Alabama?
Similar to other civic engagement initiatives, the debate strived to create an educated electorate. However unlike others, the debate did not push one thought or idea but a hope that people would make smart informed decisions when electing Alabama’s next leaders. By giving both students and Alabama’s population a opportunity to hear both candidates answer questions, the debate allowed every listener to hear plans for leading Alabama forward. Hopefully, listeners took those plans and voted in an educated manner. Only making educated votes and electing quality leaders will communities, states, and the nation continue to prosper.
5. If you were starting the project over again, what would you change? What advice would you give someone who is looking to start a similarly sized project?
The biggest piece of advice I can provide is to build the best team of people as quickly as possible. Even though ever group has a leader, that leader only accomplishes as much as his teammates allow. Planning an event that has parts ranging from television production to parking and ticket distribution requires a team of people who will work together and hold each other accountable.
6. How did you and others incorporate technology and social media in the debate to reach a larger audience? What were the keys to successful integration of technology and social media into this project?
From soliciting questions to releasing information, social media played a large role in the debate. Members of our team used twitter and facebook to inform people of how to submit a question or request a ticket. Other members worked with web designers to build an interactive website filed with all the vital information.
For us, the key in making social media successful was partnering with people who had experience and knowledge in the area. Going back to building the best team possible, we had certain members that provided assistance in a select area that played a huge role in making the event a success.
Pete Davis on Civic Creativity (.mp3)
Check out this 23 minute podcast about Civic Creativity from student rider Pete Davis. He's legit.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12012672/Pete%20Davis_%20Civic%20Creativity%20copy.mp3?dl=1
Hit the link to listen. It is worth it.
Here are two pics of him in action.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12012672/Pete%20Davis_%20Civic%20Creativity%20copy.mp3?dl=1
Hit the link to listen. It is worth it.
Here are two pics of him in action.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Quotes from Black Power Mixtape
At Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in April, I saw Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975, a phenomenal film of archival footage of the Black Power movement shot by Swedish journalists.
For some reviews of the film, use these links:
http://sundance.slated.com/2011/films/theblackpowermixtape19671975_sundance2011
http://www.fullframefest.org/more_film_info.php?id=3941
TRAILER
I typed up quotes after the film, so here is my aggregated list of tweets before and after film. I'll post them as is from twitter, and they can be found here: http://twitter.com/#!/marshallhouston. The tweets begin on April 16.
Just grabbed a seat for Black Power Mixtape. Mixed feelings about Page One. Great access but left me underwhelmed. #fullframe
Black Power Mixtape: raw, unfiltered, emotional, powerful. Quotes coming in following tweets... #fullframe
"Black as crow or white as snow, if you don't know and don't have dough, you can't go!" Black Power Mixtape #fullframe
"The worst crime against mankind is ignorance." -Questlove. Black Power Mixtape #fullframe
The power of the movement lies in the principles & goals you are striving for--not in the method of how you get there. A Davis #fullframe
I'm not anti-American. I'm against the institutions that rule America and spread racism." -filmmaker from NY, Black Power Mixtape #fullframe
"When you love yourself, you don't hurt other people... and you treat others as equals." -Angela Davis. Black Power Mixtape #fullframe
Young people that say youre tired--take a rest or take a vacation, but it's a lifetime job. Sonia Sanchez on fighting oppression #fullframe
RT @andrewbeckgrace: Angela Davis interview in Black Power Mixtape = most compelling 2 minutes of film I've seen in a long time #fullframe
For some reviews of the film, use these links:
http://sundance.slated.com/2011/films/theblackpowermixtape19671975_sundance2011
http://www.fullframefest.org/more_film_info.php?id=3941
TRAILER
I typed up quotes after the film, so here is my aggregated list of tweets before and after film. I'll post them as is from twitter, and they can be found here: http://twitter.com/#!/marshallhouston. The tweets begin on April 16.
Just grabbed a seat for Black Power Mixtape. Mixed feelings about Page One. Great access but left me underwhelmed. #fullframe
Black Power Mixtape: raw, unfiltered, emotional, powerful. Quotes coming in following tweets... #fullframe
"Black as crow or white as snow, if you don't know and don't have dough, you can't go!" Black Power Mixtape #fullframe
"The worst crime against mankind is ignorance." -Questlove. Black Power Mixtape #fullframe
The power of the movement lies in the principles & goals you are striving for--not in the method of how you get there. A Davis #fullframe
I'm not anti-American. I'm against the institutions that rule America and spread racism." -filmmaker from NY, Black Power Mixtape #fullframe
"When you love yourself, you don't hurt other people... and you treat others as equals." -Angela Davis. Black Power Mixtape #fullframe
Young people that say youre tired--take a rest or take a vacation, but it's a lifetime job. Sonia Sanchez on fighting oppression #fullframe
RT @andrewbeckgrace: Angela Davis interview in Black Power Mixtape = most compelling 2 minutes of film I've seen in a long time #fullframe
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