Service Learning Log 1

Activism:

This week the class group finally figured out a fundraising idea; an actual event where fundraising will be done which is the YAYA garage sale taking place on Sunday. We have liaisons and they’ve largely been one of the few attending the YAYA meetings to gain information and begin to form a relationship, but after the YAYA meeting on Sunday we will be having a potluck where we can actually come together with the members of YAYA and get a chance to mingle with them so that we can have multiple people in the service learning group build a relationship. We had phone banking occur today by three group members to get an exact headcount for who will attend the event. We’ve had a hard time getting everyone to contribute in the meetings and the project as a whole, but over the next few days we will assign individuals to come together and fill out our application for the service learning fair as well as our global liaisons working feverishly to gain contact with a global partner.

Reflection:

 This activism relates to what we’ve discussed in class because it relates to Sarah Swider who wrote in Global Feminism: Transnational Women’s Activism, Organizing, and Human Rights describing workers in Hong Kong that were seen as difficult to organize; Sarah describes that against all odds this group of domestic workers were able to come together for the shared common goal of their rights, and make things happen (Swider 111)! This is so closely related to our project its mind boggling. This article helps us as a class see that organizing for rights in groups that are largely disenfranchised can be a very difficult task.  Sarah Swider describes working with a group that’s isolated and undocumented makes it very challenging to advocate for rights when they are constantly moving and are seen negatively by the government; but it can be done (Swider 112). And, when performed correctly by working together and making sure all the people in the group are heard and everyone’s concerns are met means that multiple thought processes and viewpoints go into making well rounded and thoughtful decisions. This can prove to be useful to all members because then it’s more likely that their concerns will be met. Our community partner YAYA is already advocating for these rights and liberties and are on the ground making things happen and it gives me hope that farm workers will get more respect and more rights so they can do things like go to college without the “ring around” and begin to own property and settle in one place if they so choose. It’s all about the farm workers having choices and rights.

Reciprocity:

Personally I’m gaining a deeper insight into group dynamics, and how disadvantaged groups keep fighting no matter how the odds are stacked against them. It makes my passion renewed for things that I believe in, and it gives me faith that one day the United States will get it together as a country and realize that as a melting point, they (the government and individuals in power) must recognize ALL its citizens not only the ones that are convenient for them. I’ve gained team working experience and patience, but I also realize that our group and project and this fight for rights is a work in progress that’s ever evolving and expanding, so it’s about getting  in line and marching with them NOT for them.

Word count: 550

Work Cited:

Swider, Sarah. "Working Women of the World Unite?" Global Feminism: Transnational Women's   Activism, Organizing, and Human Rights. By Myra Marx. Ferree and Aili      Mari. Tripp. New York: New York UP, 2006. 110-130. Print.