Engaged Citizenship Common Experience Analysis

Superior Essays
As part of the Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE), the Speaker Series class offers the students the opportunity of participating in several events, which raise awareness on some of the issues that our society faces nowadays. This class allows students to be more involved in the community and teaches them that every voice can have an impact in a problem and every voice deserves to be heard. During the Fall semester 2016, I participated in four events: Truth Telling: Promoting Healing, Change, and Joy for the Movement!, Hispanic Americans: Civil Rights, Social Justice and the Legal System - Where Policy Meets Practice, 14: Dred Scott, Wong Kim Ark & Vanessa Lopez, and How to Loiter. Although these events might seem different …show more content…
This documentary delved into this controversial and sensible topic while examining the 14th Amendment. Using stories from the life of Dred Scott, Wong Kim Ark, and Vanessa Lopez, the director was able to engage and educate the audience. As a Hispanic immigrant, this issue is really close to me. Immigration has been one of the most debated topics throughout this presidential election, and I have heard people arguing over and over about who has the right to live on this land and who does not; often promoting hate and racism. Definitely, this is a very complex subject; however, we have to understand the situation of immigrants and only by having a respectful exchange of ideas we are going to find an answer to this issue. Hate never leads to a good place and this country has always been great because it opens its doors to anyone who is willing to fight hard for what they want, no matter where they came from. Ultimately, this film invites us to reflect on the kind of country that we want to be and to remember the values and principles that this country was founded upon. In general, Galinsky is encouraging us to identify how political and social systems work in our country and their limitations; also, to respect immigrants and to advocate for social …show more content…
Each speaker made a case for these people and invited us to assume our responsibility in the community to change what is wrong, to be more tolerant and respectful of others. Without a doubt, I can state that the Speaker Series course has changed my point of view in some matters. By being exposed to these issues and having a respectful interchange with others that did not agree with me, I was able to learn and have a new appreciation. Moreover, this class has made me realize that any voice deserves to be heard and that change is in our hands.

Reference:
14: Dred Scott, Wong Kim Ark & Vanessa Lopez. Dir. Anne Galisky. Graham Street Productions, 2014. Web.
ECCE Speaker Series Video on Demand- Hispanic Americans: Civil Rights, Social Justice and the Legal System – Where Policy Meets Practice – Reggie Koch.
ECCE Speaker Series Video on Demand- How to Loiter – Artist Paul Shortt.
ECCE Speaker Series Video on Demand- Truth Telling: Promoting Healing, Change, and Joy for the Movement – Dr. David Ragland, Dr. Cris Toffolo, and Steff Reed.
UNI 301: ECCE Speakers Series Fall 2016 On-Ground

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