Stephanie Baker- Y.P.P Greater Boston Summer Workshop Facilitator
7.28.09
Issues are never black and white. It is very easy to create a simple solution for a complicated problem when you don't always have the facts, or when you let your emotions blind you from seeing the other side. Opinions change for various reason, whether it be facts, or hearing and/or reading about a personal story. In any case, lack of discussion and sharing breaks down a community. Last Friday, Greater Boston Math Literacy Workers (MLWs) discussed and debated some controversial issues facing themselves and society. From issues of immigration versus citizen rights, to global warming, gay rights , affirmative action, drinking age versus the age you are available to go to war, to felon disenfranchisement, to juvenile criminals cases, Boston MLWs pushed each other and opened each other eyes to different view points.
The Boston MLWs also tackled two important issues, one well known and one unknown to most ; immigration and human trafficking. Opinions on immigration varied. While all believed immigrants have rights, views on government action differed. The balance between government protection and deportation lies in murky waters. But reading two informative articles from the New York Times helped unclear the waters. One article discussed enforcement, while another discussed the conditions in detention centers.
Many MLWs had not heard of human trafficking. Human Trafficking, as defined by the United Nations, is “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.” An estimated 27 million people live in modern day slavery. It is also on the same level as trafficking in arms and drugs in terms of profit world wide. One article from the news source Global Post told the story of a woman from Mongolia who was promised an education in Korea, but instead upon arrival was forced into prostitution.
However this isn’t an issue that just occurs in Asia, it occurs all over the world, a global crime ring connecting every continent. Boston MLWs also learned that it strikes close to them, many trafficked to the Boston area end up in Allston and Brighton. Once the students realized how these issues touched them, previous notions crumbled. Those who were conservative on immigration issues could not discount learning of the harsh treatment of those in detention centers. And, at first students could not see how human trafficking related to them, until they realized that the problem is on the streets where they live. In a group activity students came up with organizations to combat these issues; ranging from lobbying the government to make detention centers more human to a global campaign to educate the world on human trafficking. Although they may not have all the answers, at least they are educated on the issues and thinking of ways they can help. The begining stages of change is arming yourself and your community with information.
Below are some the Boston MLW views on the issues discussed today,on the arrest of Henry Gates Jr., and on the vist of members from a hip-hop/social justice organization called La Lengua De Mi Barrio that has a netowrk including Columbia, Miami, and Boston.
The big issue with immigration is the conception of illegalness. Human trafficking is degrading. ON the issue of Henry Gates, I know friends that were profiled and lead to incarceration for two to three days. The issue around Henry Gates Jr. ahs to do with haters. Society doesn’t want to see somebody doing better than what is expected of them.
-- Dre, Boston MLW
Today we discussed about Columbia and what is happening out there. We also talked about Henry Gates Jr. and how cops still discriminate. I found out today that Columbia is just like over here but a tiny bit different. I also found cops can write what were they feel like in their record books even if it’s a lie.
--Boston MLW
Today I read an article about Human Trafficking which I didn’t know anything about. I was very surprised about what is happenings in Asia and even here in New England with this issue. It is a big issue that needs to be taken care of. As for the situation in Columbia I had not idea about the warfare occurring there and this discussion opened my eyes to the issues in their country. These two topics made me realize how much is going on in the world today that I don't know about. Today’s activities were very eye openings and I am glad that I was a part of it.
Today an organization based in Columbia came to speak to us about hip-hop adn how it can promote postive issues instead of just negative desires. During our multicultrual conversation I learned things about Columbia I never knew. I never knew that Columbia, for 50 years, has been in Civil War. I was told about the corrupt governemtn and crime lords that I didn't realize still really existed. The discussion was extremely informative and I'm so happy I got to experience something like it.
--Emily McHale, Boston MLW
7.27.09
None of us African-American residents of Cambridge are surprised or shocked by the humiliation and harassment Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., 58, of Harvard University encountered at the hands of Cambridge police....
7.20.09
Some of my favorite statements in Robert P. Moses’s new article “An earned Insurgency: Quality Education as a Constitutional Right”.
“The basic story of fundamental change in the United States is a story of alliances between the top and bottom…Much of this story is hidden… it was people in small domains who understood the energy that was needed and who made the moves necessary to put change into motion”
“The Preamble to the Constitution says, “We the people”: It’s we the people who ordain and establish the Constitution, and it’s we the people who actually live it.”
“Tests of intelligence, understanding or comprehension in Mississippi were unconstitutional because black citizens had not been afforded an educational opportunity equal to that afforded white citizens.”
“The white race deems itself to be the dominant race in this country… but in the view of the Constitution, in the eye of the law, there is in this country no superior, dominant ruling class of citizens…Our Constitution is color-blind. …In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law…”
“Education is a basic American value, and it was fundamentally unfair to deny people access to education and to use their lack of education to deny them political access.”
“Unless our youth can actually demonstrate that they are part of the solution, hammering away at the door or in the streets isn’t going to create change.”
“Demanding educational rights requires courage in the face of terror.”
“Without educational equality there is no way to break the cycle we’re now in.”
Stephanie Baker- Y.P.P. Workshop Facilitator
7.17.09
Apathy is a consistent problem facing this country. People cannot see themselves in the wide scope of the greater good, and neither can they place themselves in relation to their community and their government. Today Y.P.P MLWs from the Greater Boston area worked in teams to confront this problem. Using examples from the Civil Rights Movement as a guide, they defined the terms social justice, citizenship, and civic engagement. The MLWs defined social justice as the fight for equality and fairness, and rights among people that apply to all regardless of any classifications (such as race or gender). Citizenship entails government protection of basic rights (regardless of race, beliefs, social standing, gender, etc), and places responsibilities on the citizen to be active. These responsibilities are carried out through civic engagement. They defined civic engagement as fulfilling responsibilities through striving to make society a better place though activities like volunteering in the community and voting. Below are some voices of Greater Boston MLWs on what being a citizen means to them and what type of change they want to see in their community and/or society.
Hector Acevedo
7.7.09
We are afraid of what we do not understand. As social beings we are always in search of something that will make us feel complete. Unfortunately, many choose to use alcohol or drugs in order to fill that emptiness and ignore their problems. In poor neighborhoods liquor stores out number schools, public parks and libraries, it seems that our inability to deal with our issues in a positive way may be our own self-destruction. I have been on a journey of “re-self-discovery”. Working with young people is hard work. You need to be ok with yourself in order to guide a young person in their path to personal growth. I have been amazed at how much I was truly missed during my absence. However, everything happens for a reason and my journey has put my life and my view of YPP in perspective. This organization has helped thousands of young people over the years. We are truly a family. YPP creates change through developing personal relationships with our MLW’s and CMLW’s. We care about each other and we invest time in young people. By creating personal bonds with young people we build a family. It is that sense of family that keeps me coming back to this organization. No matter how stressful this organization may be my love for young people and the people within it keeps me going. I’m back…
