So now that I’ve crossed the border back to my friendly, eccentric home in Kensington Market, Toronto (although not for long) I’m having some pensive reflections on the awesomeness that is the ACLU Minnesota and Wisconsin that I had the honour of discovering at this year’s membership conference.
A 24-hour bus ride to and from Washington D.C. and shared hostel saw both our groups intermingling and activisting to the max. Most of us didn’t know each other and I can safely say now that in just four days we’ve not only learned a lot, but been sincerely inspired and greatly moved by each other’s presence and being.
I heard tales of prejudice, realities of oppression, and musings of forward-thinking by these brilliantly tuned-in young people. Interesting nights out coupled with ridiculously fun “truth-telling” games were the recipe for some of the best activist times had by all.
I want to thank all the participants for their honesty, candor, and all-around amazing selves that definitely made this trip an adventure I’ll never forget. We write off the US too often in Canada for the backwards policies that obstruct their international image and forget about how much good work is going on there by determined people like these who are refusing to give up and fighting back for what they believe is right.
More partnerships can be made across our borders and we’d be crazy not to remember that the extreme U.S. right-wingers have a direct affect on Canada (ahem, Bill C484, no-fly list anyone??) This is a great example of how we can get together and make change happen, even if it’s just amongst ourselves.
It’s important to recognize when cool young people you’ve just met are inspiring you, that’s definitely news I want to hear more often.
Anyone do that to you lately?
The “best group” as named by attendees of the 2008 ACLU membership conference!
Digg
Facebook
del.icio.us
four comments
Jessica, can you give us some background on the first photo? What are those people doing? Whose attention are they trying to get?
Posted by piKe
June 16, 2008, 2:37 PM
Jessica,
Great post! Thank you very much for accompanying us to DC! The trip wouldn't have been the same without you and everyone else!
The first photo, pictured left to right is:
Richard Diaz, Lester Kern, Valeria Gonzalez, and Tiyara Townsend. They are posing for a picture prior to boarding a bus that will take us to our destination in the United States' capital to lobby our elected officials for the political stands that uphold the original beliefs of the Constitution and Bill of Rights of the United States.
The next picture is our group posing at a rest stop less than 2 hours outside of Washington, D.C. That was by far the most interesting breakfast i've had to date this year.
Keep in touch..
Best Regards,
Jason Hargis
Posted by Jason Hargis, ACLU of Wisconsin Program Associate
June 16, 2008, 5 PM
I second Jason! Jessica, you are an inspiration yourself! Many of us Minnesotans and Wisconsinites may have impacted your beliefs, but it is important for you to know that it is a swinging door! I have never met anyone more passionate about their culture, and who has recognized the need to educate for change. You continue to hold on to your dedication, for it will inspire and spark the fire in many lives in the future! I hope to be witness to your determination once again!
My Best,
Ashley
Posted by Ashley Harville
July 6, 2008, 11:35 PM
The podcast of Jessica speaking from the ACLU Membership Conference can be found here:
http://www.aclu.org/multimedia/2008co...
Posted by Suzanne Ito, ACLU
July 11, 2008, 1:14 PM
Leave a comment
Our comment policy
Shameless prides itself on the diversity of opinions expressed by our writers, and we encourage and appreciate different points of view. Our intention at Shameless is to foster community and to maintain a safe and positive blogging environment; we do not consider it our duty to give a voice to anybody with an opinion.
Discussion on this site is moderated. We will delete comments that:
(We get to decide what's discriminatory, hateful, attacking, or inflammatory).
In some cases, we will cap off comments on a discussion when we feel they are spiralling out of control and fostering an unwelcoming space for bloggers and readers. Comments will be closed by the Web Editor, unless the post is by the Web Editor, in which case the Editor in Chief will close them.
If your comments repeatedly make the same point, they may be deleted. This also applies to comments made by multiple members of the same organization.
Your comments should be about the topic of the post, not its writer—although we certainly encourage praise for our writers, if you want to say something nice.