For social change to occur, a group must step up and engage in the community. For this to happen, there are a few things that must take place. (1) The group must collect an identity and then (2) support a collective idea. The community must then be supported by a system that (3) empowers their engagement by (4) providing outlets for their concerns and (5) guaranteed outcomes. Marginalized communities in particular must feel secure in their identity, then identify with a change, and have a resource that empowers their choices. Allowing underrepresented communities to voice their concerns and providing recourse is how equity can be implemented into a society. Partnership in Arnstein's article links voices which I find the most valuable as it's most of the time non-existent in communities. But this step, like others can fall short. As a member of Portland State, or as a voter in general, I have the power to voice my opinions and political decisions, but it is not always acknowledged. Could you think of a time where you are given participation in change in your community but ignored?
I had once met a women who was a past graduate of PSU. She approached me to ask if the Student Media group I'm leadership of could share her story. She was explaining her years of working to voice the issues regarding how the school neglects and mistreats student rights such with tuition, as well as treatment of seniors and professors. I found her story similar to this week's topic because her voice, and others alike, are shut down. Are there times where you feel you have "power" to make change, but find out it's really just an illusion? Was this within your community or like one on campus? I attached a photo of ASPSU because it's PSU's community for student engagement and empowerment. Do you identify with any of the organizations? And if so, is it enough? - Emily Price
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AuthorsWe are Portland State students who care about the urban rivers of the Pacific Northwest. Archives
May 2018
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