Guest Post: Dana Moyer on How Students Can Create “The World We Want:” A Positive Look at the Political Process

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Forty-three years ago, some folk could not deal with the interplay of ideas and the struggles for change – a movement of the voiceless that included young people.  Some thought the violent death of fair-loving, word-working, intellectual, back-breaking, youngster, game-changing, alumnus Martin Luther King, Jr. would stop those yearning for something different in societies.

The critical give and take – different voices – and the struggles of young people for change never vanished. Dr. King, and the movement he represented, was about up and coming generations creating the world it wants.  Does the future of any society depend on this legacy?

Your turn to take a look at creating your change.  Senior Dana Moyer has got the message for the week in a guest blog post:

I often find myself frustrated and disillusioned with the political process.  We vote, put our support and faith in a candidate, confident that things will change with a change in leadership, then witness a stubborn maintenance of the status quo.  Nothing seems to change, despite our efforts.  It’s enough to make anyone stop trying to accomplish anything through the political process.

But then, an extraordinary example of change brought about through the legal, peaceful efforts of informed, passionate individuals reminds us of what is possible.  Even more inspiring are the stories of young students who successfully tackle real-world problems in order to better their own lives and the lives of those around them.  Patrick Davidson, a former Disney filmmaker, captured students doing just that in eight countries around the world in his documentary “The World We Want.”  From the accessibility of clean water in Senegal and the inclusion of special needs students in Bosnia-Herzegovina to obesity in the United States, these middle- and high-school students work through difficult issues by learning about government in their countries.  Through the Project Citizen program, which also operates its first college-level class here at BU, students gain the skills and develop the passion necessary to make lasting change.

Join my Project Citizen class, and Democracy Matters student organization for a screening of this film this Wednesday, April 6, at 7 pm in the Howard Thurman Center.  It’s free and, of course, we’ll have refreshments.

Need something to inspire and motivate you?  Come see how they create “The World We Want.” (Check out the trailer. )

Thanks Dana.

Peace.

3 comments

  1. Good work, Dana! But then, I expect nothing less from such a talented and conscientious student. Jeannie and I are both very proud of you and how hard you work, even if we don’t get to say it often. Keep up the inspiration!

  2. Dana is so right! Government is what a society creates to do the work that individuals can’t do alone – it is the expression of our impulse to promote the common good. But it is only as good as our willingness to MAKE government act on that impulse and live up to OUR aspirations and ideals – as Martin Luther King and the footsoldiers of the Civil Rights Movement did. It’s great to see examples of young people who get that.

  3. Thank you for arranging for the screening of The World We Want at BU. I am extremely flattered by your kind words. I wish I could attend the event, alas I live in California. The making of the film was a tremendous experience for everyone involved, As I am sure you can imagine the behind the scenes stories are endless. One thing you may not be aware of is that the audience reaction to the film has been the catalyst for the formation of The World We Want Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to supporting Young Global Citizens worldwide. Go to theworldwewantfoundation.org to learn more.

    Thanks again. I hope everyone enjoys The World We Want.

    Best regards,
    Patrick

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