In service of what? by Kahne and Westheimer: A talking point

1.) Ms. Adams students, by contrast, began their work with a systematic and critical analysis of the causes of homeless and of the strategies employed to prevent it."

I really believe so much of our social construct is perception.  If a student perceives him/herself as uneducated, powerless, or in a lower status then another than it will be so. Usually students do well in a task if they believe they can. Someone is more likely to get a job if they believe they will be good at that job. A student that lives below the poverty line may feel defeated by the system. If you take that same student and break down the definitions of poverty, the causes of it, and the ways to combat it through reformation of that system you unfold the myth. When issues like poverty are no longer a mystery but a clearly understood enemy then students are more adept to fight against and not feel that it is inevitable for them to be in it's cycle for life. It also shows the student that they can change they cycle and that they can change the world. They are meaningful individuals that can make a difference. The entire point of education is empowerment and service learning is VERY empowering.

2.) "In contrast, much of the current discussion regarding service learning emphasizes charity, not change."

I wonder if this is still true. I feel like the general populous has grasped this theory and agrees. Perhaps, I wonder, if it is simply easier to organize a charitable event than a changing event. It is easier to hand out sandwiches to hungry folks than to address fair housing laws. Maybe this is why groups would choose charity work instead of changing work. If that is the case than I think it is better to think charity than change. Better the lesser of the two powers than nothing at all. Even charity is empowering and educational. It isn't nearly as empowering and educational as changing a system would be but it is a step in the right direction.

3.) "... that all students take part in volunteer activities in either their schools or community as a condition for graduation from high school."

I love this idea whole-heartedly. I don't think Mount Pleasant High, where my placement is, has anything like this. Especially in a school where language development may often hinder the educational level of the programs, dropout rates are high, and students often feel silenced, a program like this would hold high merit. I wonder what the graduating seniors are going to do after high school. With most of them being below level for math, reading, and writing and not coming from affluent families it is hard to imagine many of these students in college. By students having the opportunity to expand their experiences into tutoring, coaching, building, organizing, assisting, etc. they can feel both empowered and get a glimpse into a field where they can possibly continue to help. There is no reason a student at couldn't go onto be a teacher's aide or a city year volunteer.

I think this article was a good, concrete marriage of everything we talk about in class and everything we can do with our students. How can we overcome racism, gender ism, classicism, etc. but learning about how other communities are affected by world issues. One of my favorite song lyrics is in a ditty bop song where they say "It ain't bothering me if you're stomping your feet but you're always killing something- just by living on the earth." This to say- we are a part of the system we live in whether we help create the stereotypes or just follow the rules. We cannot exclude ourselves from the successes and the injustices of our society. We are all responsible for this world- not all of it at once- but at least some part of it. What is it that YOU are going to affect and change? We have the power to help our students find this answer for themselves. I do think if you live a life where you are helping nothing then you are not living.