“Understanding that each one of us can make a difference ….” Those words have a nice ring to them, don’t they? Sara Skvirsky, of the educational organization Facing History and Ourselves, wrote to me today to introduce their Web site “Be the Change:Upstanders for Human Rights.” The site has been designed for middle and high school students and their teachers, and features profiles of five people who have certainly made a difference in the world. It’s a great, interactive site that provides plenty of food for thought including great lesson plans. Check it out. Be inspired. And don’t leave the site without investigating the “What Can I Do?” section, which provides some great guidance and suggestions on choosing the way you’ll participate.
Archive for January, 2008
Upstanders for human rights
January 28, 2008David LaMotte named 2008 Rotary World Peace Fellow
January 11, 2008David has freely offered his gifts and passion to “Be the Change” in many ways. I just heard that he has now been named as a 2008 Rotary World Peace Fellow to pursue an Advanced Master’s in International Relations at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, beginning in February 2009. He will be studying there for a year and a half. This is one of 60 fellowships awarded worldwide by Rotary International in the interest of promoting world peace. “Needless to say that’s pretty exciting news for me,” he says.
He was also recently mentioned as a nominee in a feature “Heroes of Humanity” in “World Ark,” the bi-monthly publication of Heifer International, for the work he has been doing with schools in Guatemala.
Congratulations, David. You make all of us at JMU proud!
Hollywood writer Phoef Sutton encourages “Be the Change”
January 3, 2008I was out of town for December’s commencement, but I’ve enjoyed reading highlights from Hollywood writer and JMU alum Phoef Sutton’s commencement address. Sutton reminded the 659 graduates that “the future starts every second of every day” and life should be lived to the fullest. He encouraged graduates to take advantage of new beginnings. “Strike out, accomplish things, dream big,” Sutton encouraged. “As Ghandi said, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Week
January 2, 2008I received an e-mail from Valerie Gonzalez lauding the positive influence of Dr. King’s legacy: “Martin Luther King Jr. was a great leader to all African-Americans in his day. But today in society he inspires every race, not only African-Americans, but everyone who is asked who is Martin Luther King? I am inspired by Martin Luther King especially when I hear his “I have a dream” speech. He changed the world by his fight against segregation. And today we can see and prove that he was a great leader.”
Certainly, Dr. King embodied the “Be the Change” spirit. And, JMU, the 2008 MLK Celebration Committee, and the Center for Multicultural Student Services have a great week of activities planned to celebrate his remarkable life and work. Check out the calendar, and don’t miss your chance to participate!
