Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Make your argument for the final class project.
When we first began class, I expressed the premise of this course is to provide students with theoretical knowledge about how to address issues that are impacting the black community as a whole. However, due to issues arising on campus and in the community as it relates to crime and police enforcement policy, some African American students are feeling the sting of racial profiling. So the question is how can we as a class address these issues affectively based on some of the things that Asante Jr. has pointed out thus far in the readings. Basically, how do we theorize and put it into action. The parameters are a class project or individual group projects. Make your arguments and we will finalize in class tuesday night.
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I feel as if a class project would be more efficent because if we are doing something as a community then the more people that participate the better it will be, also if all of us are working together then it will be a more likley chance to have a better impact and if we are doing something as a whole class we will be able to get more people involved.
ReplyDeleteI believe a class project would be better due to the fact that in general when people see big crowds it cause a scene and I think we will cause a scene that want to make a chance. Examples of why this class project would work is when the TA's had their strike and it was numerous of them, they cause attraction among others and the University faculty members to get what they wanted. Not to take anything away from my fellow classmate, individual groups would not serve a huge purpose towards making life for African American on college campus better, it will seem as if we are keeping the message we want out inside.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Stclair said with the fact that we will attract more people with a larger group. I feel like we will be able to address more ideas in a larger group to a larger audience. I feel like if we are in different groups it is like we are separated. Its like we would be portraying the message that not even this leadership class could band together for a common goal. How are we going to promote togetherness between all if we don't start off coming together as one big group or family?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Erica about we will be able to address more ideas to a bigger audience in a bigger group. I feel a class project would be better than individual group projects. If everyone did individual projects, then they will have their friends to come to support them, but those friends may not feel the need to go to the other events by other people they don't know. Then those people will miss out on a lot of essential information that other events are discussing, and our class would not be able to do the job we set out to do in the first place, which is bring everyone together, give them knowledge and begin to mend African Americans' relationships on campus, in the community and with the police. So if we all have an event, as a group, we can address multiple issues and more people will be informed on what is going on. That way everyone in our class friends will come support them, and friends of their friends will come and so on, and by us all working together having one big event, all those people will be at the same place at the same time to acquire knowledge on what has been going on in the African American community. A class project would benefit our purpose on a much larger scale than individual projects.
ReplyDeleteI think that we should take the arising issues on as a class. In order to get a major message across we have to make this a movement. The reason the civil rights era and the golden age of hip hop had such a profound impact on past generations is because it was a movement. The issue of racial profiling is too great of an issue to attack it on a small scale. We as a class have to think outside of the box and come up with a way to get our message out in a large and impactful matter. Just as Asante said within the book its up to our generation to be leaders and innovators. If we don't take a stance on this prevalent issue, in a big way, who else will?
ReplyDeletePhallon brings up a very good point when she addressed the readings and Asante. It is up to our generation to be leaders and innovators, but we can be leaders and innovators in large or small groups. Stepping up, leading a program, and having fresh ideas are all characteristics of a leader. Personally, i feel like working as one major group is an amazing idea. I believe that if we do something in a large number people will take notice. Although i like the idea of working as a group i worry that determining roles and groups might get a bit difficult. If we were to break up into small groups that are responsible for something different under the main topic i think this project will go well. With either choice i would be happy and ready to make a difference but number do get noticed....
ReplyDeleteI feel that we should do a larger group project because we will be able to impact more people. We have been in class for about 7 or 8 weeks and we have heard the arguments and points that we all have and I think it would be purposeless to discuss ideas amongst each other through smaller teams. We know what we're capable of; so we should show others too. We need to turn our words and ideas into actions. Without us trying to take action and make an impact, we’re just simply having a conversation for an hour and fifty minutes. This is a leadership class, so we need to go out and implement our ideas and make an impact in the community as well as on campus. We always talk about the lack of community, but by doing smaller project amongst ourselves. If we see the problems going on in the African-American community and we are discussing ideas, but not doing anything about it, it makes us apart of the problem, and not the solution. Asante points out that basically we have to stand for something or fall for anything and since somebody has to eventually lead the movement, why can't it be us?
ReplyDeleteI think that a class project will work better. Going about this, we can all take a vote in class on what specific topics we can do for the project and figure out a way to combine the mosted voted topics inot one big project. I think we should do it as a whole class because just like mentioned earlier when people see big crowds it tends to attract more people and that way the result will be even better then if it were to be just individual groups. Just like in the readings they say that our generation are the next leaders and by making this into a group project i believe that this will prove and defenitly make that happen but as a class as a whole. We're a class and i think that we should do the project as a class.
ReplyDeleteI think that it would be better if we did a class project vs. group projects. The bigger the group, the greater the impact of our message would be. We have talked about a lot of important issues in class over the weeks and I think that if we vote on the ones we feel as though are most important to bring up in the community, it will be easier to narrow down what topic our project will be centered around.
ReplyDeleteI believe that a large class project would be best for our final project. However I think there should be sub groups to:
ReplyDelete1.) Make it easier to plan
2.) Make it easier to grade individuals
A large class project would make a stronger statement then just a select few of participants because there is strength in numbers.
I believe that as a class we should hold a program at the Douglas Center that stretches the importance of going to college and getting an education. I believe this would improve Student- Townie Relationship. I also believe that doing this as a class with smaller groups in charge of a certain part of the program would work best.
ReplyDeleteSorry to play Devil Advocate but there is a number of reasons why a big group project would not work. I'm sorry class but I have to disagree with you all. Even though all of you have great ideas on how much of an impact a larger group would make….you can also make that impact with less than 5 people. It does not take 20 plus people to get a movement start. It only takes one person. There would be conflicts, difference of opinions, people not showing up for meeting, people not bringing ideas to the table and people not doing their part. We can't even stay on each other in class to post on time or to speak up about the current issues that affects us each day in class. So what makes you think that anything would be different if we started this mass group and only 7 other of 30 did all of the work, talking, bringing ideas to the table, setting up meeting, going into the community and more. In Asante It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hip it talks about how technology has made this generation lazy. Even though technology is good for us (especially how far it has come) technology has made this generation lazy. So some people are thinking right now to their selves…”yes a group project with 30+ people….I ain’t doing shit” because we do have selfish people in this class that only think about their selves and could gave a daymn about what happens on campus and out in the community. In Asante it state that many people “have fallen asleep on the “comfortable mattress”…we have become too comfortable and have stopped fighting for what most African-American still don’t have.” This is so true…
ReplyDeleteSorry but we have people in class that sleep, talk and text on their phones, not pay attention in class to the speakers, come late, be on twitter, facebook and all other crap on their lap-top and more. We have a class of almost 25+ people and out of those 25+ only about 7 to 8 of you talk each class session. Do you really want to work with these people? I know that’s harsh but that’s the reality of the situation and the stakes when it comes down to your grade and being a leader. I’m sure this will wake some people up as Dr. Patterson will not hesitate to put people on blast. So use my comments as food for thought and motivation because the people in Black Leadership Development should not be “content with the momentum when we are still losing” the battle different generations have been fighting for centuries.
Also the entire class has talked about the issues they are concerned with. Think about the people who have spoken up in class about the issues they want to address and team up with them because it does not take 25+ to get a the movement started. It takes one person, one dream and one vision; as that dream expands people will hop on-board and support you no matter what. I say this from experience not out the side of my neck! “The path of hope leads us to recognize the tremendous efforts of people, young and old, committed to bridging the gap.” We see and understand that path now it your time to become the leader you speak about in class. Thanks for reading…
For the most part I already made my argument for the final project, but I think we would be best serving the community and ourselves by working in the smaller groups! Although I agree that there is power in numbers, I also think that some ideas will be trivialized if we try too hard to focus on one area or maybe even two. I am willing to do either one, but I am willing to admit that I am not liking the entire class idea!
ReplyDeleteI do understand from what point of view that Marques is coming from. But one thing I think we need to keep in mind that, as a community, not everyone is the same. Also as a community they are always going to be people that will do the talk but not work the talk. While others will not do the talk but they will work the talk. While they are going to be people that with do the talk and do the work. So I think as a group project, we as a class we take it as a challenge and I believe that everyone in the class will do their extremely best and hard work in any project that we plan to work on. And I agree that, Stclair that “when people see big crowds it cause a scene” and most likely people would be will to listen to what this group of people wants to talk about or they are talking about !
ReplyDeleteSome people don't talk and don't work. It's hard to put my name on something when I know people will not give the same effort, the same passion, the same motivation that most people in the class including myself will give. We live in a generation of lazy ass people. The people that are marching in Champaign are not people in our class, the police who are going to city council meetings are not people in our class except for 2 or 3. We need something that will spread like a fire through the campus community which greatly affect us and the City of Champaign which greatly affects the blacks in the town. Who is willing to do the work and stand by their project even if they graduate next year and move out of Champaign? Who will be willing to go to those meeting and address the issues that are not just affecting the their lives but other students on campus as well? There are a lot of questions to be asked...the biggest questions is who willing to step up and get them answered?
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the ideas and concerns of my classmates I am going to have to side with a class project. There are pros and cons to the idea, but I believe the pros can outweigh the cons. The main pro is that there is great power in a large united unit. There are two major cons, people not contributing and different ideas, but I believe that we can overcome them. The easier of the two to address is people not doing work. We can break down the project in to committees making it easier to see who's working and who isn't. If people aren't contributing call them out. They harder of the two to address is the different ideas, but I do believe it is something that we can overcome. We all know, seen, or have heard certain issues that we wish to address on this campus. We may have different ideas on how to handle it, but we can come together and make something happen.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAs most of my peers have already stated, it would be the most effective if we were to begin tackling the arising issues on campus as a whole. The more voices we have, the better. Although individual group projects would also impact the issues, it would only do it on a more minimal scale. Our goal is to initiate change and we can't fully attain it without as many people as we possibly can. As mentioned above in order for this project to impact and progress we must all equally put forth great effort
ReplyDeleteI feel a group project will be very effective. If there will be minor problems that may occur as those listed above by Marques, I'm quite sure we will be able to find ways that will satisfy everyone seeing as though we know all the problems. If we can't get together to form solutions to these issues, how can we expect our community to come together and listen, come together to make change? To conclude: One class project as a whole, approaching and stressing the importance of the issues that plague our generation and coming up with as many solutions as possible, sharing them to the community.
ReplyDeleteI like the conference idea! I have a gut feeling that the class project vs. group projects will be more effective towards our initial goal of promoting unity,getting everyone informed on the issues that effect our lives on this campus and get people pumped about making a positive change!
ReplyDelete*There is power with numbers*
I think the group project is a cop out because its easier to work with a few people rather than the class. Once we're done with the group projects, everyone will continue with the rest of their lives and become too busy to put the plan from their group projects into ACTION. By making it a class project we will focus more on the goals, more so than the grade. I'm just saying...
ReplyDeleteI honestly do not know how to say this without sounding like a jerk but I honestly believe that a class project would not do much but help a lot of students that don't feel like doing much get a good grade doing something we would consider to be simple. I believe that most students ( and this is even speaking for myself with all honesty) will more so be focused on the grade than the changes that we are supposedly working for. This of course does not mean that I am ruling out the idea, in fact I am for it.
ReplyDeleteAccountability seems the issue here. It is obvious that our campus or our generation are more set on individuals goals. Henceforth, the way we can make students take action is by promising a personal benefit from the project. Maybe a personal detailed project that shows how the student attempted to reduce the racial profiling on campus. It is for our grade, who will decide not to do it? hopefully, my point is taken.
ReplyDeleteI feel like a group project would be beneficial if everyone were to actually feel like we'd actually be working for a cause. I fear that there would not be enough direction to work in smaller groups. This could possibly be accomplished if we tackled several goals within those smaller groups and eventually became one in order to put all our ideas together. I'm personally not a fan of group projects at all, but a grade is a grade.
ReplyDeleteInterest and organization, is what I have been told by a number of students are the two most important elements of any good program. You all already know that I am in favor of the smaller group projects and I believe that they are more effective due to the following premises. First, any great idea starts within a small, passionate, and effective group. In history all great movements, businesses, and entities have to start small and grow at their own pace. The Civil Rights Movement started with a small group of concerned citizens and grew into a nationwide movement. My point in that is this, Dr. Patterson speaks on organic conversation/learning, great movements move within the same realm. A class project with so many people passionate about a litany of concerns will be made artificial because people may not possess a passion for the topic the class chooses. Yet, with a smaller group, students can treat their passion with the level of attention that it deserves and the idea may organically grow to someday mean something great. If that is what that particular group desires. Second, logistically it would be very difficult to assess student's grades and the work they need to put forth, in order to receive a passing grade. With the time we have in the semester to assign roles, plan an event, advertise the event, and assure that all the resources that will be needed to make it successful are available. It would be different if there was already an established precedent as to how to deal with this, but there is not, and therefore would be problematic. I do not mean to be pessimistic, rather, pragmatic. Lastly, in connection with what I stated earlier, ideas must grow organically to be effective. The smaller group projects gives our outreach more elasticity. The student body is ideologically diverse, if we have one program with one message then we only reach a few people who agree or feel passionate about it. Yet, with smaller groups and a number of programs that deliver different messages, then each successful group will inspire people, thus extending each message to a larger portion of the population.
ReplyDeleteTheres power in numbers and I feel like if we did a group project together we would impact the campus alot more. Groups are effective but I feel like when it comes to issues like the ones were trying address its best if we all work together. Asante talked alot about us unifying in the book. I feel that a conference of some sort that talked about everything we have been touching on in class would have a huge impact on campus. Bringing in a speaker who can identify with what where trying to do should also be something that we consider.
ReplyDeleteThe statement "power in numbers", which seems to be popular trend in the class, is only true when the group is passionate about the issue they are addressing. "100 sheep will always be eaten by ten wolves" - Coach Lonnie Williams
ReplyDeleteI believe that we all can make a class project work out very well if we all put for a productive effort, positive attitudes and not be doubtful like this kid above me. I understand that if everyones needs are not met and they feel like they are not being heard than positive attitudes and motivation may fade and result in group members giving up.
ReplyDeleteThis what i dont want to happen so option #2 would be for us to do smaller group projects that EVERYONE in the class has to go out and support.
EVERYONE SHOULD WILL BE HAPPIER.....hopefully :)