If there is anything that I have learned from my work with college students, it's that instead of trying to make excuses for being a product of the developments and trends of our generation, they are simply embracing them. So much so, that they are redefining the way that the rest of the world communicates, connects and ultimately advocates. Gone are the days of drafting up a petition and tabling on campus with the hope of securing 50 signatures from your like-minded friends. Now, within five minutes of feeling fired up about a piece of legislation that is making its way through congress, you can: update your Facebook status, tweet, connect with your fellow bloggers, and begin to organize a rally. There is something to be said for the ability to share your perspective with the world with the push of button. But what comes next?
I know that people are updating every social media platform they can because I see it everyday. I feel blessed that my newsfeed is overflowing with links to articles and videos about causes that my friends are extremely passionate about. It means that I have surrounded myself with the best of what Gen Y has to offer, young people who are recognizing the power of their own voices. But how many people are able to take it a step further and becomes agents of change?
As someone who has identified as a proud ally of the LGBT community for many years, it was easy for me to watch the video of a young Girl Scout calling for a boycott of cookies and immediately seek out ways to buy five times the amount I otherwise would. It was a small gesture, but it left me feeling like I did my part to combat that particular case of intolerance. But like most of my friends on my newsfeed who had originally brought this particular video to my attention, I moved on to the next piece of breaking news within 24 hours. And in that moment, I missed a fantastic opportunity to do something even more powerful than buying ten boxes of Girl Scout cookies. I missed the opportunity to educate myself and educate my friends about the story behind the headline.
I have come to realize that education and advocacy MUST go hand in hand. By facilitating opportunities for one and not the other, we are missing the bigger picture. You need to understand the many layers and differing opinions that people have in regards to a cause you are passionate about before you are ready to lobby your local MOC. Simultaneously, it is extremely challenging to drum up support for a cause that you know very little about.
So, as any good millennial would, I intend to make this blog a space to share resources that will provide my readers with an opportunity to educate themselves on the four issues that mean the most to me. I hope that, in turn, you will share your thoughts, inspiration, and resources with me. With a better understanding of the issues that I hope to address, I plan to make the right kinds of ways. With strength in numbers, there's no telling what we can do.
Let's start here:
- Read about families who are dealing with food insecurity at http://mazon.org/get-involved/hunger-resources/facts/ and learn what MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger is doing about it through the organizations they support throughout the country at http://mazon.org/about/about-our-grantmaking/2011-grant-recipients/. Special shout out to JF&CS of St. Louis and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago/ EZRA Multi-Service Center who bring programs like the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry and JUF Uptown Cafe to life.
- Read about how homelessness affects women and children at http://www.gateway180.org/the-facts and stay on the same site to be inspired by what organizations like Gateway 180 are doing to reverse homelessness for families in 30 days or less. And for those of you in the Chicagoland area, check out http://www.asafehaven.org/index.html.
- Visit the Human Rights Campaign's user-friendly website at http://hrc.org/ to educate yourself on the issues and then immediately take action by joining the Call It Out! Campaign and stopping discrimination in its tracks.
- Tell Teach for America about how much time you have to give and they will tell you exactly how you can impact the future of our country by investing in a child's future at http://www.teachforamerica.org/get-involved/action-center.
