THE CHANGE Adult Education for Social Justice: News, AGENT Issues, and Ideas
CELEBRATIONS Celebrating Freedom: 1 Silent Celebration: 3 Because of Linda: 4 Graduation & Blessings: 5 Celebrating Teen Mom: 6 Adolescent Sexual Health: 7 Celebrating Sobriety: 8 You Are Not Alone: 9 I Celebrate Myself: 10 First Kiss: 11 Celebrating Navajo: 12 My Son’s Journey: 14 Celebrating 5 Pounds: 15 The Party Guest: 16 Father’s Day: 18 Thank You for Food: 19 My Second Chance: 20 Losing, Finding...: 21 A Family Tradition: 22 The Day We Arrived...: 23 For Sisters & Brothers: 24 My Moroccan Wedding: 25 Mexican Thanksgiving: 26 Christmas Changed: 27 Overspending...: 28 Spending Money...: 29 Working during Holidays: 30 Where do Labor Laws...: 31 No Tricks or Treats: 33 Celebrating Freedom on Juneteenth Taking Good with Bad: 34 Inez Sadler Celebrating Eid: 36 Fragile Structure...: 37 My Diwali: 38 On June 19 (“Juneteenth”), 1865, Union general Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Sacred Water: 40 Texas, and issued General Order Number 3, which read in part, “The people of Texas A Day to Reflect: 41 are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United Family, Food & Fireworks: 42 States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and It Felt like a Stampede: 44 rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore They Forgot We are Seeds: 46 existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.” San Geronimo Day: 48 Festa Junina: 50 continued on back cover Walking Backward: 52 We Are the Ones: 54 Issue 41 changeagent.nelrc.org September 2015 The Change Agent is the bi- annual publication of The New England Literacy Resource Center. Each issue of the paper helps teachers incorporate social justice content into their curricu- lum. The paper is designed for intermediate-level ESOL, ABE, GED, and adult diploma classes. Each issue focuses on a different topic that is relevant to learners’ lives. In New England, online access to The Change Agent is available free of charge through NELRC’s affiliated state literacy resource centers. Email changeagent@ worlded.org to learn how to ac- A Note from the Editor: The Change Agent Turns 20 cess the site. To celebrate our anniversary, we turn our attention to—what else—cel- Submissions: Our next issue ebrations! In this issue, students write about everything from private ritu- is on race. See the “Call for Articles” on p. 55. We welcome als to family- and community-based holidays, parties, graduations, com- submissions from teachers and memorations, feasts, and fêtes. How else do we celebrate? students as well as activists and thinkers from outside the Beautiful Cover Art field. For submission guidelines visit
A Silent Celebration Dave Slivinsky
The rewards of learning to read and write are a big deal for me. I am 56 years old and I have dyslexia. I did not think I would ever be able to read a book on my own and now I can. I would like to tell all of you how far I have come in a program called Read to Succeed, how safe I feel to tackle the big- gest problem in my life. Now I love to read and write. Reading has changed my life forever. I spend hours at home reading novels and listening to books on tape. The process of writing has been an extensive heal- ing factor in my life. I find that writing about my feelings and emotions “Space Man” by Dave Slivinsky makes it easier for me to I told myself that I Read to Succeed has given me the chance to start talking about them. share my thoughts and my stressors through my would go as far as The sad part of this paintings. One of them was selected for the 2015 is I am still too embar- I could and then I Read to Succeed brochure, truly a great way to rassed to tell anyone would just quit, but celebrate my success in a program that has given about being in a school me a new look at life. I guess it is my journey. The I have met so many like this because no one truth can hurt at times. Sharing my story gives me people who didn’t outside this program a good way to start the long road of healing from will understand what it give up on me. dyslexia. It has been a healthy opportunity for took for me to be here. me to celebrate my success in In the beginning, I told Read to Succeed. myself that I would go as far as I could and then I would just quit, but I have met so many people Dave Slivinsky is a student at YMCA who didn’t give up on me. I have found a drive Read to Succeed in Hartford, CT. Previ- that just keeps on coming, so not to disappoint ously, he attended two years of art anyone or to let myself down I have been pushing school and is an accomplished painter and photographer. Currently, Dave is myself as hard as I can. exhibiting several of his paintings at the Now that I am learning to read, maybe I will YMCA in downtown Hartford and hopes start to feel good about myself. It should sound to exhibit in local galleries. like an easy thing to do, but it is not that way for me. A lifetime of being dyslexic has been hard on What are two ways that learning to read my self-esteem, and it gets in the way every day. Sometimes I feel like I am drowning or I would and write has changed the author’s life? like to cry, but most of the time I see my way What is one way it might change his life? around it. I have read that those feelings could Why do you think sharing his story pro- stay with me my whole life. It seems to be true at vides a way “to start the long road of heal- times. I seem to have a lot of fight in me. Now you ing from dyslexia”? know how I feel inside. It’s not too nice, is it?
The Change Agent — September 2015 3 Celebrations
Because of Linda… A Volunteer Tutor Becomes Family Janet Brown
PRE-READING: What makes someone family? Linda continued to Eleven years ago my sister had a fire in her apart- tutor me and ment. My sister had taken us in because my mom encouraged was in the hospital with cancer. The fire destroyed me to go back our apartment. We had to move to a shelter for to school. Four Janet (left) and Linda two years. My sister got her new apartment first years ago, I and moved out of the shelter, but I couldn’t move finally returned to school, and I still attend classes with her. I moved to another shelter in Manhattan, today. Linda and I continue to meet, but now as and I started attending a program. It was there friends. She stopped tutoring because of her health that I met my good friend Linda. and age; she has high blood pressure and diffi- Linda was my volunteer tutor for a reading culty walking. program for people who want to get their GED. I Linda is like a mother to me. She showed me was her first student. caring and parenting when I most needed it. When She was my escape She was my escape my mother passed, she took her place in a loving from the shelter, and way. She makes sure I from the shelter, the program became have the support and and the program be- my sanctuary. Liv- guidance that I need to Soon we started came my sanctuary. ing at the shelter was finish my education. celebrating our a scary experience. Linda did more for me birthdays together. At first I had a lot of than my own family, anger about being in a shelter for two years with- but I understand why out my family. Each day when I left the shelter to because we were all in the same situation. Because see Linda, I felt relief. I began to see that learning of Linda, celebrations are a special time for me. was helping me plan my future. I began to under- She gave me a family to celebrate them with. To stand that this shelter wouldn’t be forever. this day, we still celebrate our birthdays together. Linda listened to me tell stories about my
life, especially my time in the shelter. We became Janet Brown is a student at Mid-Manhattan Learning Center #5 good friends. She introduced me to her sisters in New York, NY. Janet was born in Brooklyn, NY. Although she and her brother. After the program’s hours, Linda has faced many challenges in her life, she remains positive by would sometimes tutor me at her brother’s office. focusing on her goal of earning her high school diploma and maintaining good friendships. She was his secretary. Soon we started celebrating our birthdays together. We continued meeting for POST-READING: What are some specific ways three years. She sent me to a reading program at Linda was like family to Janet? the local library, where I won an award achiev- ing the highest level in the program. From there, Read the essays on pp. 4-5 and make a I went to a GED program. Just as I was getting Venn diagram showing what is similar and started on my GED, my mother died and I stopped what is different about the writers’ stories. going to classes.
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Graduation and Blessings Michael Smith III
Last spring, I graduated from ATLAS, a forklift and warehouse training program in Alameda, Cal- ifornia. I completed ATLAS with my colleagues; we were the ones who were serious about study- ing and who finished the semester and earned our certificates. Graduations are awesome opportuni- ties to celebrate the effort that people have made to move forward in their lives and make something out of nothing. Many people waste time and don’t follow their values. I was once like that, but I be- gan to see the bigger picture. I had to persevere through the pain of being shot in a case of mistaken identity at the age of 16. Luckily, I was able to keep my leg, but I had forted, not forgotten. Next Step Learning Center to learn how to walk again. I managed to take the staff were also present at my graduation to show pain and move forward. I had to turn away from support for my accomplishment, which I appreci- the negativity that was ated a lot. threatening me. I got be- After my graduation, my older nephew I had to persevere hind in high school, but graduated from a culinary program at St. Vincent through the pain I wanted to continue my de Paul. My dad, brother, and I went to enjoy his of being shot in a education. graduation, and we had a wonderful time. It was a case of mistaken My mother found a coincidence that my nephew and I had our gradu- school for adults, and I ation on the same day and I could support him the identity at the have been here at Next way my family had supported me. age of 16. Step Learning Center The important thing about accomplishments ever since. I am learning is that you have added value to yourself. You have and moving through the motivated yourself to keep going without giv- rough times. My goal is to get my HiSET. Each ing up. Graduating made me feel more confident step of the way, I try to appreciate my work and because it showed that I took school seriously. I the process I am in. thank all of my family, friends, and people I wish Every day I wake up and have a positive atti- were still alive. Blessings are powerful gifts that tude, which drives me to learn, to participate, and help you move through tough times so that you to bring out the gifts that I have in me. can look back at what you have achieved and The graduation was an exciting day for me, smile with satisfaction. but when the ceremony started, I wondered if anybody was going to show up for me. Regard- Michael Smith III is a student at Next Step Learning Center in less, I was impressed with myself for stepping up Oakland, CA. He graduated from the Alameda Transportation and for achieving my goal and for having enough Logistics Administration Service (ATLAS) Program in March of 2015 and passed the HiSET in May of 2015. Michael is currently ambition to keep my head up. I was surprised working at a warehouse company and thinking about continu- when my father and my brother came; I felt com- ing in community college to finish his AA degree.
The Change Agent — September 2015 5 Celebrations
Celebrating Being a Teen Mom Tara Letourneau
In the United States, many teen girls get pregnant life. Many girls just do not get and drop out of high school. According to statis- the support they need. Being tics, 3 out of 10 teen girls will get pregnant at least pregnant is one of the most once before the age of wonderful things in the The reason most 20. There are nearly world. It should not be 750,000 teen pregnan- hard to be pregnant and pregnant teen girls cies every year. Sta- be in school. I am prepar- drop out is because tistics say that 50% of ing to be a teen mom, and of discrimination. teen girls who drop I am planning to stay in out do it because they school. are pregnant. Also, In my current school, about 25% of teen moms will have their second no one puts me down. child within 24 months of their first. My peers celebrate me The reason most pregnant teen girls drop by bringing in jour- out is because of discrimination from teachers nals that I can use to and peers. For example, many pregnant teens are record my child’s life called names, like whore or slut. Teachers might from birth until age imply to the pregnant girl that she has ruined her five. My peers and teachers compliment me and encourage me when I’m just not feeling right. They help me lift my- Sexual Double Standard self up. Statistics mean nothing to me. There are I am preparing to In the graphic below, what is the illustrator plenty of teens out there saying? who will agree with me be a teen mom, on this. Just because and I am planning you have a baby doesn’t to stay in school. mean your life is over, and it doesn’t mean you can’t get a high school diploma. Every day I make the choice to work my butt off to earn my diploma so my baby has a good life and has everything he needs.
Tara Letourneau is a student at Vermont Adult Learning in Saint Albans, VT. She is 19 years old and 6 months pregnant with a baby boy, Emmytt James. She says, “I look forward to having my precious baby boy in my arms and a diploma in my hand. I want to say thank you to the VAL staff for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”
Sources:
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Adolescent Sexual Health What could the U.S. learn from 3 European countries?
The United States can use the experience of people in the Netherlands, Germany, and France to guide its efforts to improve adolescents’ sexual health. In these countries: • Adults view young people as assets, not as problems. Governments strongly support edu- cation and economic independence for youth. • Public health policies are based on research. They are designed to reduce unintended preg- nancies, abortions, and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Political and reli- gious interest groups have little influence on public health policy. “JackXArik” by Sen Cross, Hiji and Ryo via Wikimedia. • People want to reduce the number of abortions and prevent sexually transmitted infections. • Governments support massive, long-term Therefore policies are designed to ensure easy public education campaigns through the access to contraception and condoms. Internet, television, films, radio, billboards, clubs, pharmacies, and clinics. Campaigns are direct and humorous and focus on both U.S. teen births high comparatively safety and pleasure. The birth rate in 2009 for U.S. girls ages 15 to • Youth have access to free or low-cost con- 19 was the lowest since the government began traception via national health insurance. tracking the statistic in 1940. However, it is still • Sex education is usually integrated across high for a developed country. school subjects and at all grade levels. • Families have open, honest, consistent dis- Number of U.S. births per 1,000 teenage girls 100 cussions with teens about sexuality. • Adults see intimate sexual relationships as 80 1957 normal and natural for older adolescents. High: 96.3 60 2009 • When thinking about sexual behavior, Low: 39.1 most people value responsibility, respect, 40 tolerance, and equity. 20 Source:
The Change Agent — September 2015 7 Celebrations
Celebrating Sobriety Annette Bowen
Some people celebrate birthdays, wedding anni- I also use versaries, graduations, and holidays. On the ninth words as a batter- of every month, I celebrate freedom from the grips ing ram against of crack cocaine. addiction. Writing was the catalyst August 9, 1993 that launched my I’ll never forget the weather that day. It was hot imagination to an- and humid. My son and daughter were staying other dimension; it with friends, which left me home alone. My plan was therapy when was to get high and “chill” for the remainder of withdrawal symp- the day. But as fate toms crept up on me. There was a tremendous amount of negativity rattling around in my head My mind turned to would have it, plans changed. The crack that needed to be emptied out and replaced with one giant jigsaw puz- I smoked had an positive affirmations. That’s why writing was such zle and none of the adverse effect on an outlet for me. Words freed me from the self- pieces fit together. me. My mind turned imposed “jail” of into one giant jigsaw drug and alcohol puzzle and none abuse. Words freed me from of the pieces fit together. I was frightened, and Now that my the self-imposed “jail” mind is clearer that’s an understatement. The room was spinning, of drug and alcohol breathing was hard, and I began to hyperventilate. and I’m able to What occurred after that is a blur. The next put more than one abuse. thing I remember, I was sitting in the back of a thought together, police car. The young officer knew I was high. For my fondness for some reason, thank God, he did not arrest me. writing has grown. Every month on the ninth, I After giving me a stern lecture, he released me and write something uplifting and celebrate another told me to go inside and get myself together. month free from the dismal grip of crack cocaine. Hitting rock bottom is an extremely sobering thing. For the first time since I began my descent Annette Bowen is a student at Literacy Action Atlanta in Atlanta, into the abyss of drugs and alcohol, I saw what I GA. She is a mother, grandmother, and novice writer. Her favorite quote is by Dr. Maya Angelou: “You may not control all the events REALLY looked like: an empty shell of a woman that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” with sunken eyes, protruding ribs, and thinning hair and bald patches due to my drug use. Read pp. 8-9. What is similar and what is Saved by Prayer and Writing different in the two stories? I’ve always believed in the power of prayer. I Get help for addiction. Explore
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You Are Not Alone Joseph Brooks, Jr.
Celebrations normally come once a year or when- my family to get a college degree. I had an article ever something extravagant happens—like a wed- published in the Prisons issue of The Change Agent. ding or a graduation. However, I’m choosing to I have been clean and sober for one year and celebrate myself and anyone else who is a survivor three months. I was raped in prison, but I have of rape. All survivors of started to speak up about that. I have started to Having the endur- rape know the effect it heal. I have willpower and endurance, and I have has on their life. Having become a strong indi- ance to continue the endurance to con- vidual. Let’s celebrate is reason enough tinue is reason enough Not only do I by reaching out to celebrate. to celebrate. choose to celebrate my- Why would I self, but I also celebrate to each other and celebrate myself? I’ve those individuals out building a stron- always fit the definition of an outcast. I have been there who are struggling ger community. abused and neglected. I have been homeless and to learn self-acceptance, in prison. I am homosexual. I have addictions and who are trying to refrain strong desires that would normally lead to death. from drugs and alcohol, and who are searching for But I have made a conscious choice to overcome, anyone to love them. I’m here to let you know that and I want to celebrate that. I am the first person in I celebrate you. Let’s celebrate by reaching out to each other and building a stronger Song of Myself community. Let’s build positive relation- ships with people “behind the wall” (in Walt Whitman prison). Try reaching out to the person I celebrate myself, and sing myself, in the house next to you and also to And what I assume you shall assume, those who don’t have a house—to the For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. homeless community, to the people who I loafe and invite my soul, are struggling. I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of Anyone who is in recovery or strug- summer grass. gling to be in recovery, anyone who is in prison, or anyone who has a history of My tongue, every atom of my blood, form’d from this rape or abuse, I celebrate you! Believe in soil, this air, yourself! Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same, I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin, Joseph Brooks was born Hoping to cease not till death. in Worcester, MA. He is 35 years old, and he is ANALYZE THE POEM: What does the poet celebrate? currently looking for pen What is he saying about how we are all connected? pals. He can be reached at Joseph Brooks, Jr., What do you think the poet values about life? What do #0085127, WCHC, 5 you think he means by “Hoping to cease not till death”? Paul X Tivnan Dr., West Boylston, MA 01583
The Change Agent — September 2015 9 Celebrations
I Celebrate Myself Samantha Wright
You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Psalms 139: 16 I celebrate myself every day. I find joy in celebrating myself. It makes me feel alive and happy. I celebrate myself, a woman, one of God’s beautiful creations that is a celebration in itself. I am worth celebrating because I am me. I celebrate by finding beauty in everything around me. I celebrate myself by having some time just for me. I celebrate myself by listening and dancing to my favorite music. I celebrate myself by being a light in someone else’s life. I celebrate myself by looking in the mirror, seeing my beauty inside and out, loving myself—oooooh what a sight! I celebrate myself by indulging in showers and in my favorite body wash. Afterward, I indulge in a nice lotion to moisturize my skin—making me feel so soft and smooth. I put on my ready-for-the-world fragrance. I celebrate myself by having a positive mindset about myself and life. I celebrate myself by remembering all my struggles that made me strong today. I celebrate myself by walking into a room with such style and grace— a confident lady, they see. I celebrate myself by getting an education for myself and by helping others. I celebrate myself by being my own cheerleader when times get rough. I celebrate reaching my goals in life. I celebrate the little victories as well as the big ones.
Samantha Wright is a student at the Howard Area Community Center in Chicago, IL. She enjoyed writing this poem. She is an aspiring poet. She is full of life and energy.
Read More and Then Write Your Own Poem
READ THIS POEM and the articles on pp. 8-9 and the excerpt of Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself.” Then write your own poem about how you celebrate yourself and your community.
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First Kiss Jerry Belony
I won’t forget the first time I went to a restau- rant. It was my birthday, and my first love in- vited me to celebrate with her. She knew that I liked eating shrimp, so she ordered some for me. After that, we had two glasses of French wine. When we finished our delicious meal, I in- vited her to dance to some Haitian music. It was very pleasant for me. I felt very happy, for this moment was something I will never forget. On that special day, I received my first kiss.
Jerry Belony was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He came to Boston in 2014 to be with his wife. He attends English classes at Jewish Vocational Services in Hyde Park, MA.
Look More Closely at the Grammar
COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS (for, and, nor, USE THIS MNEMONIC DEVICE “FANBOYS” to but, or, yet, so) connect two independent memorize the coordinating conjunctions. clauses. For: I am tired, for I have walked a long way. WHEN YOU CONNECT two independent clauses, use a comma and a coordinating And: She loved to visit friends, and she conjunction. The comma comes before the loved to be alone. coordinating conjunction. (See next column.) Nor: I don’t remember my first kiss, nor do I remember my first time at a restaurant. AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE is a part of a sen- tence that could stand alone as a complete But: He doesn’t like to study grammar, but sentence. he knows it’s important. A SENTENCE has a subject and verb and is a Or: You can keep trying by yourself, or you complete thought. can get help. FIND THREE COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS in Yet: I get tired, yet I keep going. Jerry Belony’s story above. So: I get tired, so I rest.
The Change Agent — September 2015 11 Celebrations
Celebrating Navajo Language Vanessa Yazzie
My native language is unique and beautiful. In my culture our language is sacred, and it is how we keep our culture and tradition intact. I find my language unique because it uses highly detailed verbs, which make it extremely hard to Our language learn. In the Navajo keeps us intact language (also known with our traditions. as Diné), there are about 60 different verbs used to describe eating; if you leave out one high tone or glottal stop, the entire meaning of the word changes. Our language keeps us intact with our traditions Photo courtesy of Arizona State University. Read more because only a few of us still live in hogans or about students of the Navajo language at
A Note about Navajo Language It is particularly relevant that the principal verb in the Navajo language is “to go,” and not the verb “to be,” which is the principal verb in so many other languages but is of relatively minor importance in Navajo. This seems to indicate a cosmos composed of processes and events, as opposed to a cosmos composed of facts and things. -- from Language and Art in the Navajo Universe by Gary Witherspoon
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Navajo is a dying language, but at least now there are high schools and even middle schools that teach the Navajo language. It’s a small step toward keeping an endangered language from disappearing. My people need to learn as much of our lan- guage as possible, because it defines us as indi- viduals and as a nation. We should celebrate our native language, so that it won’t be gone forever.
Vanessa Yazzie is a student at the Adult Learning Center at the University of New Mexico in Taos, NM. She grew up in Torreon, New Mexico, which is a small reservation. She learned her heritage from her grandmother Betty. She plans on finishing her GED and furthering her education.
POST-READING: • What is the author’s main point? Dan Akee, WWII Veteran, Navajo Code Talker, and member of the Diné Nation at the Native American • How does she build her argument? (To answer Heritage Month celebration in November 2010 at the this question, look carefully at each paragraph Grand Canyon. This event is a celebration of the many and summarize it.) accomplishments, contributions, and sacrifices of the • How do the box on p. 12 and the chart below indigenous peoples of North America. Photo courtesy add to the author’s main point? of Grand Canyon NPS via Wikimedia Commons.
A Note about Disappearing Languages Languages Speakers are spoken by 0.2% of the world’s 3,586 smallest population languages
20.4% 2,935 mid- are spoken by of the sized world’s languages population
79.4% of 83 biggest are spoken by the world’s languages population
One language dies every 14 days. By the next century nearly half of the roughly 7,000 languages spoken on Earth will likely disappear Find out more at
The Change Agent — September 2015 13 Celebrations
A Celebration of My Son’s Journey Catherine Simard
When my son was 4 years old, I noticed that he prescribed the right was having a hard time socializing with other chil- medication, and we dren. He was not talking to them or playing with also worked with a them. behavioral therapist. I started trying my own strategies to help him This helped him feel more confident and connected. For example, I tremendously. decided to get him a bunk bed and put his stuffed Now, my son animals all around it, and I would read to him. I Marcus is in the encouraged him to pretend that he was one of the sixth grade and he is stuffed animals and to ask me a question about doing so well. He is the story in the “voice” of that animal. This pro- very smart, hand- cess seemed to help him have more confidence. It some, and well-be- helped him find his voice, which made him feel haved. He has many that his opinions mattered and that he mattered. friends, and he has joined a social group and a few I also had the neighborhood kids come over clubs in school. I am so proud of him. I celebrate every day and we would have cook-outs. The kids him and his journey, as he learns to overcome would play games, run through the sprinkler, challenges and adversity. throw water balloons, and fly kites. We had a lot of fun all spring, summer, and fall. During the Catherine Simard is a student at Vermont Adult Learning in winter, we would Burlington, VT. She enjoys nature and playing with her son, build snow forts, Marcus, and their two cats, Scar and Sabrina. She is looking I am so proud of him. forward to getting her diploma and going to college. She wants to have snowball set a good example for her son. I celebrate him and fights, and pull his journey, where he each other around learned to overcome on sleds. We also would take my dog Take It Further his challenges and for walks on the adversities. bike path, go to the What are three strategies Catherine beach in the sum- used to support her son? mer time, and visit Battery Park. I taught him not to be afraid to ask What are two ways she got help from oth- other kids to play with him on the climbing struc- ers for her son? tures. This helped him learn to socialize and make Write a letter to Catherine. Let her know new friends, which made him very happy. what she has done well as a parent. What When he got into kindergarten, he was hav- ing a hard time focusing and staying still. He also else do you think she could do? was making funny noises. I decided to talk to the How do you celebrate your children’s victo- school social worker. She suggested that I have ries and struggles? Read the essay on p. 15 him tested for ADHD, autism, and Tourette’s Syndrome. I found him a good psychiatrist, who for more ideas and do the activity.
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Celebrating 5 Pounds Debbie Barrett
There have been many celebrations in my life. The one that stands out from the others is the birth of my first child, Arthur James Thornton Barrett. We gave him a long name because he spent a long time in the hospital growing to four-and-a-half pounds. When he reached 5 pounds, we took his baby portrait beside a five-pound package of King Arthur flour!
Debbie Barrett is a technology instructor at Blue Hills ABE in Canton, MA. She earned her masters degree in instructional design while watching her two sons grow and flourish. She has been the technology instructor at Blue Hills ABE in Canton, MA, since retiring from Quincy Public Schools. This writing sample was created with “Google Docs” and used as a teaching tool to help guide students as they created their own celebration essays.
Noticing, Supporting, and Finding Resources Fa m for Our Children s i te ly u S ib u r t p Think of your own child or a child t p A o s r you know. What challenge is this ’ t s d m l a e young person facing? i N h
C Write the child’s name and her struggle in the inner circle. Then fill in the three outer sections. Ch ge In one section, write the attributes allen that the child has that will help her overcome her challenge. Use the other two sections for family support this child has and community resources that may be available. Share with others. Collect more Com es munity Resourc ideas about possible resources.
The Change Agent — September 2015 15 Celebrations
The Party Guest Vito Moro
People will talk about a surprise party for a friend restless and getting more bored or family member. The big moment is when every- by the minute. I didn’t want to be one shouts, “Surprise!” This is the story of a differ- stranded in this remote place. Marie ent kind of surprise party. At this party, I was just was my only ride. a guest, but the surprise was on me. Over by the line of trees, I noticed some men cooking some- Feeling Like an Outsider thing in a big pot that made lots of When I was living in New Orleans, my friend steam and smelled of salt. I just sat Marie invited me to a party. We met on Saturday there feeling shy, unable to break morning and headed west to Houma, Louisiana. into that close group of people We came to a yellow house in the middle of a big talking in such an animated way. green lawn flanked by old trees and a peaceful More cars pulled in, and their bayou on one side. occupants joined the party. They There were children running around and were greeted and welcomed as a busy handful of people setting up tables and friends; they received hugs and chairs. They were kisses. I was used to greeting people with a distant speaking Louisiana What is wave or a not-very-intimate handshake. I felt like Creole. I didn’t feel leaving the party because I had nothing in com- too good about Louisiana mon with these people. being an outsider Creole? among people I It is a language based on Pulled in by the Music never met. I was French with some west Then the musicians started playing. The band and central African influ- included a guitar, a fiddle, and an accordion. At ences (namely, Bambara, first, I couldn’t relate to it. But the crowd cheered Wolof, and Fon) and and began clapping to the beat; some were singing Native American aloud. After a few songs, I joined in. The musi- languages (mostly cians played “Jambalaya,” and the English lan- Choctaw). guage lyrics lifted up my heart.
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Marie noticed my joy. She took me by they get crayfish. With enigmatic eyes and a the hand and walked me to the center of sarcastic smile, she added that lots of crayfish the party to dance with the others. come from the bayous and the swamps. After a while, I approached the mu- That little remark made me explore sicians, intrigued to see how lively further the flavors on my plate, which they played and sang. At the end of I finished still puzzled by its origins. the song, the man playing the fiddle asked me if I had a favorite tune. The A Different Kind of Surprise only thing that came to my mind at After many merry hours of that moment was “When the Saints Go meeting people and eating Marching In,” a favorite in New Orleans. wonderful foods, it was time How they played! It sounded glorious to my to say goodbye and head home to New Or- ears. There was more clapping, and I felt like I leans. As Marie was driving down highway 90, was part of the crowd dancing it my way. I asked her if the party had been a celebration of any special occasion. She replied that it is custom- Peeling a Crayfish for the First Time ary to have a party for no reason other than to Marie introduced me to her friends Roy and Sam, make friends. and they greeted me with a friendly hug and a I was thinking that this was a different kind “Hi” instead of “Bonjour.” We chatted in English of surprise party. It was a surprise for me, a party and Roy pulled up a chair for me at one of the guest, who was used to life in the big city. Now I tables. Roy asked me if I wanted beer or wine to know that people of small towns retain their own drink while Sam went to get me some food. She traditions, often inviting others to join in. brought a plate piled up with crayfish that looked like miniature lobsters. I never ate this food before. Vito Moro is a student at Vermont Adult Learning-Chittenden in I asked Sam how to peel crayfish. She smiled Burlington, VT. Vito is from Beaumont, Texas. Italian is his native at me and said, “Break it by the head and suck the culture which allows him to better appreciate details of nature, art, and literature. He writes letters and essays intending to find juices, then take the meat from the other part.” I the essence of love, which he believes is the force of life and tried it and it tasted delicious. I asked her where learning ability. He would like to be a college professor someday.
Explore Further City Country In this story, the author leaves New Orleans Language and goes to a party in the country, where he feels like an outsider at first. Fill out the chart identifying some of the differences between Greeting city and country. Use evidence from the text and your own inferences. Food Look up “creole.” What does it mean? What other creole languages have you heard of? Reason for Look up the history of Louisiana. What is the celebrating story behind all these influences?
The Change Agent — September 2015 17 Celebrations
Father’s Day Carmen Ruiz
Since I was little girl, I have always thought about how different my life would have been if my fa- ther did not die when I was only one year old. My mom and our neighbors always told me how happy my father was when I was born because he took such good care of me. Everyone said he was a proud dad and I know my life would have been differ- This was one of ent with his presence. those moments Nowadays, when I when I said to have difficult moment in myself, “I miss my life, especially in my relationships, the only thing my dad.” in my head is how I miss A father holds his baby. Public domain, from pixabay.com. my father. I think some men respect you more when they know you have duras and my mom told me, “Your teacher told a father. I think some situations in my life could me you are a smart girl. She said I should find a have been avoided by having him around. way to let you go to middle school, but I do not The saddest moment I can never forget is the have money to pay for that. So, you must go live day I graduated from elementary school in Hon- in the city with your aunt, help her with her kids, and go to the middle school Explore Further at night.” This was one of I honor my those moments when I said father’s Use inference to make meaning. In the to myself, “I miss my dad, first paragraph the author says about her especially today.” memory in this father: “My life would have been different I now work as a way, because with his presence.” In the next two para- nurse’s assistant in a hos- I like to help pice unit for people living graphs, she identifies two ways she par- those in need. ticularly missed her father, but she does with HIV. I honor my fa- not say explicitly what would have been ther’s memory in this way, because I like to help those in need. Doing my job different in her life if he had lived. As the with love and taking good care of my patients re- reader, you can infer her meaning from minds me of the way he used to be. I celebrate his the information given. Using inference, de- legacy by showing my children how to be loving scribe two significant ways her life could and kind in everything they do. have been different if her father had lived. How do you honor people who have Carmen is a mother of three children and a student at Mid- Manhattan Learning Center in NYC. Her goal is to become a passed? How do you express gratitude? teacher’s assistant for children with special needs. She would (See the essay on the next page.) also like to help those who have had difficult childhoods to believe in themselves and follow their dreams.
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Thank You for the Food Masako Kondo
Japanese people show we are grateful for our food. We put our palms together and we say, “Thank you for the food.” We thank the farmers who produce crops and the families who run the grocery stores. We thank the people We thank the farmers who work in food service. And who produce crops we are thankful for nature, and the families who which makes food possible. In run the grocery stores. addition, we are thankful to those who cooked for us. Before we eat the food, we say in Japanese: “Itadakimasu,” This means: “Let’s eat! I will eat animals and plants who give their lives for my life.” This is an important word. It helps us to truly understand the preciousness of life. After we’ve eaten the food, we say “Gochisousama.” This is a word that rep- resents the thanks we feel to the people who prepared our meals. Even if you don’t like this prayer or the meal, you keep a straight face Production and you should do it anyway. This is a Buddhist-style prayer, but people of different religions Distribution in Japan use these words to ex- press thanks Retail for all the an- imals and Home Restaurant Preparation plants that nature gives us. This prayer Restaurant Masako Kondo is a Preparation helps me student at East Shore remember Region Adult and Study the illustration above. What is a possible title for this Continuing Education in the gratitude I Branford, CT. She has a illustration? What jobs are part of each phase? What is left husband and a daugh- out? How do you show gratitude for all that goes into your want to show at ev- ter. They are enjoying food? ery mealtime. American life!
The Change Agent — September 2015 19 Celebrations
My Second Chance S. Burris
I celebrate that my grandchildren are my second I make sure they are fed, their clothes are clean, chance at mothering and loving. I made lots of and they are loved. We read books together and I mistakes with my children when I was on drugs play “school” with and alcohol. One of my biggest mistakes was that Alice and Mary. I could not be there for my daughter, Sarah, when Alice, the three- The Lord is giving me she needed me most. Her daughter, Anne, got hurt year-old, loves me a second chance and in my house when she was three months old. The to read her books. Department of Youth and Family Services took She doesn’t want a reason to celebrate Anne away and never brought her back. Now she me to read just one, the strong woman I is seventeen and we don’t know where she is. but sometimes five! have become. When I was on drugs, I didn’t know which I am teaching Alice way to turn, I used to sell my food and anything her colors. What else I could. I would borrow money for drugs. I didn’t get to do for my children, I am doing for My children were my grandchildren. getting fed up with My eight-year old granddaughter, Mary, is I ended up in the me. My youngest on the honor roll at school. I put her papers up on state hospital for two daughter, Tammy, the refrigerator so she knows I am proud of her. I weeks where I asked had to go and live admire smart women, and I let her know it. Mary with her older sis- has been on the honor roll ever since she started God if he could do ter, Vivian, because school. I may not be able to get her a birthday or me a big favor. things got so bad. Christmas gift, but I make sure she gets something I ended up in the for being on the honor roll. We celebrate her suc- state hospital for cess by getting her something she needs. two weeks where I asked God if he could do me I’m working on getting my high school a big favor. I promised that if he let me out of this diploma. I go to school every weekday morning place, I would not touch drugs or alcohol again. I to work on my degree. I want to be able to help have kept my promise for almost thirteen years. my grandchildren. If my grandchildren see me The Lord is giving me a second chance and do something important (like go to school), that a reason to celebrate the strong woman I have might inspire them even more. My grandchildren become. Two of my grandchildren live with me. are my second chance and a reason to celebrate who I am now.
Compare and Contrast S. Burris is a student at the Tren- ton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) Adult Read this article and the one on the next Education Program. She comes page. Create a graphic organizer (such as to class every day and is working toward getting her high school a Venn diagram) to compare and contrast diploma. She loves playing with the ways S. Burris and John Butler got and and teaching her grandchildren. took advantage of “second chances.” In this article, names have been changed to protect the privacy of the children.
20 The Change Agent — September 2015 Celebrations
Losing, Finding, & Losing My Mother John Butler
I know celebration doesn’t have to be about party- anything if you really put your mind to it.” ing and dancing. Celebration can be about things Though we don’t talk very much anymore, that I do every day to better my life and how do- those words will always be with me. I am happy ing these things makes me feel good about myself. that my sister took the time to tell me about some My family and how I get along with them is one of her life experiences. This helped me make deci- reason I feel good about myself. The relatives that sions in my life. I met over the years, even though I met some of Several years them over the telephone, are the main reason I feel ago I decided to Sometimes I would good about myself. stop drinking About 20 years ago, my Aunt Martha retired alcohol and go have to tell my bio- moved back to North Carolina. Before she left she back to school. I logical mother to stop said to me, “When I get to North Carolina, I am am working on apologizing for putting going to look for your getting my GED. me up for adoption. Celebration can be biological mother.” I thought I would About a week have to quit my about things that later, I received a call job but I realized that I can do both, even though I do every day to from North Carolina; doing both isn’t easy. So far, things are going well. better my life it was my biological I know that there are going to be times when I’ll mother. Though I was want to give up. As far as I am concerned that 38 years old at the is not going to happen. I know that I am strong time, I felt like my life was starting all over again. enough to get my GED and then to go to college. At first, I cried and I could hear in her voice that Sadly, my biological mother passed away at she was crying as well. She then handed the phone the the beginning of 2015. When I went to North to my half-brother, who I didn’t know I had. Soon Carolina for her funeral, I didn’t feel like I was at I learned that I had several half-sisters. It was the a funeral but more like a joyful family gathering. I first time I ever felt like I was part of a family. met one family member after another. And when I After a few weeks of phone calls, we felt as met my sister who graduated from the University though we had known each other all our lives. of North Carolina, I knew I was home and that I Sometimes I would have to tell my biological would have a home there mother to stop apologizing for putting me up for whenever I wanted it. My adoption. mother’s funeral was a One of my sisters who sounded just like my celebration of life and fam- mother would sometimes have to identify herself ily that I will always carry on the phone so I wouldn’t get confused. “This is with me. your half-sister not your mother,” she would tease. She would tell me how difficult college was and John Butler is a GED student at how hard she had to study to graduate from the Mid-Manhattan Adult Learning University of North Carolina. She often called me Center in NYC. He was raised by the Butler family in Newbern, NC, “Carnell,” my middle name; she did this when she and came to New York City with the was encouraging me. “Carnell, you can do almost family when he was 6 years old.
The Change Agent — September 2015 21 Celebrations
A Family Tradition Darlene Lee
PRE-READING: At the en route is French for on route or on the way reunion, we sightsee combines the noun “sight” with the verb met new fam- “see” and means to go look at things ily members BBQ stands for barbecue and passed on lessons and Once the weather changes and school lets out, my stories. We en- family and I look forward to our family reunion. joyed the foods It’s a traditional celebration started by my great that everyone grandparents before helped make: At the reunion, we I was born. pies, cakes, I remember my met new family mem- BBQ, and family’s gas station southern fried bers and passed on stops en route from chicken. Hugs and laughter filled the air. There lessons and stories. Detroit to Chicago was music: blues and 60s songs played on a record and from Chicago player. I loved the baseball games and races. to Detroit. My two Growing up this way was important to me. brothers and I stretched and talked while our Dad We keep this tradition even now. We want our pumped gas at either a Texaco or Standard station. kids to know their cousins and to love each other. As we traveled the highway, we got to sight- see. We saw different animals and old trucks that smelled of cows, as the wind blew through the Darlene Lee is a student at Black Hawk College Outreach Center in East Moline, IL. She was born in Detroit, the fourth child and open car windows. We could also hear the radios second daughter in a family of 6. She is the mother of one son, of passing cars and honking from the big trucks. grandmother of four, and great-grandmother of one.
Some BBQ History In the West Indies, the Spanish encountered indigenous people cooking meat over a slow fire. It was called “barba- coa.” The word barbecue also has roots in West Africa where it was called “babbake.” This word describes the concept of building a large fire and cooking food over a long period of time. According to culinary expert, Michael Twitty, “It was enslaved Africans and their descendants who became heir to multiple traditions and in turn incorporated those traditions into a standard repertoire known as Southern barbecue” (
22 The Change Agent — September 2015 Celebrations
The Day We Arrived in Africa Aminata Diawara
In 2009, my mother, sister, and I took a trip to my us for a long mother’s country, Sierra Leone, for the first time. time, and I was I was nervous because I had never flown in a humbled by plane before. When we their kindness. They all were very landed in Sierra Leone, We all ex- I was glad we made it changed hugs curious and stared safely, but I was anx- and kisses. into the Jeep that iously awaiting what Once the we were in. came next. greetings were The next day, we over, a group went to the family of 15 girls ar- compound. Over 30 aunts, uncles, and cousins rived, and they gathered there, just waiting for us. I had mixed began to dance emotions meeting my extended family from Af- and sing out of joy. They wore beads that jingled rica. They all were very curious and stared into the as they danced. My sister, mother, and I smiled as Jeep that we were in. They had been waiting to see we watched them. I pictured myself dancing along with them even though I didn’t know the routine. I was amazed. This was their way of I pictured myself Extend Your Knowledge welcoming us. We also enjoyed a delicious Af- dancing along with rican dish of brown rice them even though and sauce with meat I didn’t know the and chicken. Once the meal was over, we routine. spent the rest of the evening talking, laughing and telling stories from each other’s lives. Most importantly, we thanked God for giving us the opportunity to have that Sierra moment with one another. It was nice to be able to Leone experience my culture in many different ways.
POST-READING: Aminata says she had “mixed emotions” meeting her extended family. What were her emotions? (You will need to use infer- ence to answer the question.) Label the map. Name the continent and as many of the countries as you can. Or try Aminata Diawara was born in Manhattan, New York, and was playing this online game:
The Change Agent — September 2015 23 Celebrations
For Sisters and Brothers, a Sacred Vow Hima Ginjupalli
Since my childhood in Guntur, of his love. I remember being India, I have celebrated the so happy to tie rakhi threads Raksha Bandham festival with on my brothers’ wrists and my two brothers. During this getting gifts from them. holiday, brothers and sisters This ritual is the celebra- show their love for each other. tion of love between brothers Hindus and Jains observe Rak- and sisters—a promise that sha Bandham. It is an ancient we keep our bond forever, festival that falls on the full even beyond our parents’ moon day (Purnima-Shravana) time. in August. I continue to celebrate On Raksha Bandham, A girl ties rakhi on her brother’s wrist. Photo via WikiCommons. this every year with my sisters and brothers get to- brothers, and now my daugh- gether. The sister ties a rakhi ter Aishi does too. She ties (sacred thread) on her brother’s wrist and marks rakhi on her brother Dhruv’s wrist and feeds him her brother with tilak (the red dot and vertical line his favorite treats. On the previous celebration, that you see on Dhruv gave Aishi a card. In it he wrote, “You a Hindu’s fore- are the most amazing and the world’s best sister This ritual is the head). This ritual ever.” celebration of love symbolizes the Every year as I get older, I appreciate the sister’s love for between brothers and growing love my children have for each other. I her brother and am grateful that we are sisters — a promise the brother’s vow able to carry on such an that we keep our bond to protect his ancient and important forever, even beyond sister. After tying Hindu tradition in our the rakhi, the American home. our parents’ time. sister feeds her brother sweets Hima Ginjupalli was born in India and he gives her where she completed her higher a hug and a small gift. The gifts are usually some- education in engineering. She thing simple—a small toy, an article of clothing, or moved to the USA more than ten years ago and currently lives in some coins from his piggy bank. The gift is a token Naugatuck, CT, with her family.
Focus on Punctuation: Parentheses and Em-Dashes Find the places in the text where the author uses parentheses and em-dashes. Notice how she uses them. Based on your study of the text, how would you explain the purpose of these punctua- tion marks? Extra credit: what is the singular of parentheses? Where does em-dash get its name?
24 The Change Agent — September 2015 Celebrations
My Moroccan Wedding Fatima Rabia
Last year I was very happy to be up in a special seat called the in Morocco. All of my family was Amaria. Four people lifted us waiting for me and my husband in the Amaria and danced at to celebrate our marriage. the same time. I changed my On the morning of my wed- clothes again, and they served ding, I went to a “hamam” with dinner: Moroccan dishes, in- my mother and my sisters. It is cluding chicken, meat, seafood, a public bath where we go to and bread. And before the last wash. People started singing and change of clothes, we had tea asking God to make it a blessed and coffee and many different day. After the hamam, I went to Moroccan cookies. a salon to do my hair and make- The wedding didn’t finish up. I wore a white “jalaba.” until five in the morning. Ev- At 8:00 pm, my brothers eryone was dancing, singing, picked me up and took me to and taking pictures. Everyone the wedding place. All the way, had a good time. My husband they were singing. Everyone and I were tired, but we felt so was waiting for me. People were great to have all those people dancing and singing to loud Fatima Rabia at her wedding. to celebrate my wedding. All music. They put extra lights on these people are a part of my the street. It was amazing for me. life: my mother’s family, my fa- I was wearing a beautiful dress made especially ther’s family, my husband’s family, my neighbors, for wedding. My husband held my hand and we and my friends. They all support and encourage walked on the street and welcomed all the people. me and my husband because we are new to mar- My husband and I sat in different chairs. ried life. That’s our culture. We support each other Everyone could see us, and everyone could take during happy times and sad times. And we have pictures. After that, the lady put henna on my to teach this to our children. Thank you everyone, hands and my feet. Then I went back to the room and thank you to my mother. to change my dress again. I wore five different outfits that night, all in different colors. Fatima Rabia is a student in the College Prep Class at 1199SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund. She is from Morocco and has been I still remember the blue outfit because that is in this country for five years. She enjoys writing and hopes to one what I wore when they lifted me and my husband day write her life story.
Focus on Punctuation: Colons and Apostrophes In the last two paragraphs, the author uses a colon two times. Based on how she uses the colon, how would you explain the purpose of a colon? In the last paragraph, she uses apostrophes mul- tiple times for two different purposes. What are the two distinct purposes for her apostrophes?
The Change Agent — September 2015 25 Celebrations
Mexican Thanksgiving Guadalupe Silva Vizcaino
For the last three years, I have lived in America, On Thanksgiving, and my family and I are now joining in the cele- my daughter invites her brations of this country. My favorite celebration is friends and shares Mexican Thanksgiving because we can all be together once and American food with a year. them. The following days, We gather at my daughter’s house in Michi- we go shopping, watch gan. My son and I fly there from Iowa. I cook a movies, play cards, and Mexican stuffed turkey. I put butter, ground beef, visit the museum of arts. pork, and several When my family is together and happy on Although we are sepa- condiments inside holidays, I feel fantastic because the love we feel the turkey. On the for each other gets stronger. When we say good- rated by distance, we outside, I spread bye, we feel that although we are separated by will always be united the turkey with distance, we will always be united by our hearts. by our hearts. butter and red chili and put it Guadalupe Silva Vizcaino is an ELL student at Hawkeye Com- munity College Metro Center in Waterloo, IA. She is 62 years old in the oven until and has two children, Ivan and Alejandra. She studies English to done. I serve it with a salad of oranges, carrots, communicate clearly with her granddaughter, Sofia, and hopes to sugar, and lemon. This is my favorite dish. teach Sofia Spanish in the future.
Build Your Knowledge Study the art work. Notice the title. No- tice who is featured in the painting. Who is in the foreground? Who is in the back- ground? What is the story that this art work is telling? Is it true? Research to find out. Make sure to analyze a range of sources, including Native “The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth” (1914) by Jennie A. Brownscombe. (In the American. public domain via WikiMedia.)
26 The Change Agent — September 2015 Celebrations
Christmas Changed Diana Solorzano
My favorite holiday is Christmas. Christmas is be about how much money very important to me because I get to spend more you would waste; it was time with my kids and family. However, over the about having a healthy years the way we celebrate Christmas has changed and fun celebration with and not for the better. family. Years ago, Christmas was a big celebration Not very many fami- where all the family members would get together lies have a special meal, and make lots of food. We cooked tamales, menu- and if they do, they would rather have someone do, and biscochitos. Fam- else cook for them or buy something already The kids are ily members would not made. Money is the main issue when celebrating drink alcohol at Christ- Christmas. For some people, Christmas is a day to so focused on mas. We preferred natural party, get drunk, act childish, and end up arguing electronics, they waters like Horchata, with family. They eventually ruin the celebration. don’t bond with Tamarindo, and warm In my family I would rather show my kids the Atole. Mothers made gift true meaning of Christmas. I want to show how family. bags filled with candy, or- much fun Christmas can be by making ornaments anges, peanuts, and small for the tree, cooking, and wrapping meaningful toys. Before midnight on the 24th, we all prayed presents for our loved ones. I would love for them and welcomed Jesus. Afterwards, everyone stayed to know how important it is to welcome Jesus on together and had fun. Christmas day. Now, Christmas is different. Kids don’t expect a toy car or a doll or something simple Diana Solorzano is a student at the Adult Learning Center at the to play with. They expect something expensive, University of New Mexico in Taos, NM. She was born in Chihua- like a phone, iPod, or computer. The kids are so hua, Mexico but was raised in the United States. She grew up in focused on electronics, they don’t bond with fam- a small family that included her parents and one brother and one sister. She now has a handsome five year old son and another ily. Instead, they just pay attention to their tablets, one on the way. Diana lives with her fiancé who she is deeply in iPods, or smart phones. Christmas didn’t used to love with.
What about You? What is your favorite holiday? How has it changed over time (as in Diana’s story above)? How has your family put its own “spin” on tradi- tional U.S. holidays (as in Guada- lupe’s story on p. 26)? Research Christmas. Use several sources to explain the background on Christmas. “Adoration of the Shepherds” Gerard van Honthorst. Public domain.
The Change Agent — September 2015 27 Celebrations
Overspending! It’s What We Do! Calvin Mazy-Franks
PRE-READING: Do you feel pressure to spend as All too often we much or more than others during the holidays? If spend more than we can yes, how do you respond to the pressure? afford; it’s what we do! We go to the store, and In this day and age, everything seems to be a com- we buy candy, lights, petition. Your neighbor spends $3,000 on Christ- costumes, and fancy yard mas lights and yard ornaments. So, what do you ornaments for Halloween. do? Do you turn around and spend $3,500? Uncle Then, a month later, we Fred bought himself the coolest Jason costume; go to the store and buy just to one-up him, you candy, lights, costumes, and fancy yard ornaments went out and got the most Get Out of Debt for Thanksgiving. And a month after that, we go awesome Freddy costume. to the store and buy candy, lights, yard ornaments, Watch the video How many times and presents for Christmas. “Digging out of Debt” have you been to the store, Holidays can be a huge money pit. Our here:
POST-READING: What U.S. Credit Card Debt Per Household ($) does the author mean when he says the $10,000 economy does “bet- $9,000 ter” when everyone is $8,000 buying a lot? What are $7,000 some consequences of $6,000 having an economy $5,000 that only does well $4,000 when people buy more $3,000 and more? $2,000 $1,000 READ FURTHER: $0 See the articles on the next two pages. What
1971 is your opinion about 1977 1973 1975 1979 1997 2007 1991 2001 1981 1987 1969 1983 1985 1989 1993 1995 1999 2003 2005 2009 how holidays are af- fected by consumer- Study the graph above. Notice the title and what is on the x axis and the y axis. Write several ism? true statements based on the information in this graph. Source:
28 The Change Agent — September 2015 Celebrations
Spending Money to Say “I Love You” Don’t Let Materialism Take the Meaning out of Your Celebrations Angela Hutchison
I believe that most celebrations have been co-opted (and our kids) don’t need. by materialism. Companies have drilled it into our We should put our money heads that we have to buy the affection of the ones into a vacation or college we love. And we as fund. Let’s do something We see these ads, humans are vulner- together instead of sitting able to that message. inside playing with stuff and we think we have Look at how much that some big business to go out and spend money we spend on told us we just had to have. Let’s stop trying to money on useless holidays and birth- buy love. Let’s show our love with words or ac- stuff so that people days. We are trying tions—not money and material objects. to let a family mem- will love us. ber or friend know Angela Hutchison recently graduated from North Kansas City that we love them, Public Schools in Kansas City, MO, with her high school equiva- but there is no reason to spend a ton of money to lency. She is happily married with two wonderful children. She is a natural caregiver, which is why she plans to go to college to get say, “I love you.” her bachelor’s degree in science and become a nurse. Companies want to make money. So they show ads on TV of a man giving his girlfriend expensive jewelry and other gifts. Giving is very Economics 101 nice, but does he really have to go spend hundreds The author says, “Companies want to of dollars on candy, cards, and jewelry to show he make money.” This sounds so obvious, it loves her? Why can’t he just say, “I love you”? We see these ads, and we think we have to go out and doesn’t need to be said. But it is a core spend money on useless stuff so that people will principle of our economic system, and we love us. should understand it because it affects One holiday where we spend too much our life at every level. Capitalism, accord- money is Christmas. It’s not about Jesus; it’s about ing to freedictionary.com is “An economic the gifts under the tree. My kids don’t play with system in which the means of production half the stuff they get. Most of the time, their toys and distribution are privately or corporately sit on the living room floor in boxes until Febru- owned and development occurs through ary. All the toy ads that my kids see make them the accumulation and reinvestment of think they want this stuff. They think they have to profits gained in a free market.” have it or it’s the end of the world. But why must Use the internet to learn more about we buy so much stuff? You might say: because capitalism and these terms: means of pro- it will make my kids happy. It is a way for me to duction, profit, and free market. show my love. Wrong answer! It’s because we are told by big business that we have to, and we give According to the author, how does the in to the pressure. fact that “companies want to make mon- We should stop spending money to say, “I ey” affect us? love you.” We should stop buying stuff that we
The Change Agent — September 2015 29 Celebrations
Working During Holidays Shanaz Qaradaghi
PRE-READING: Share a time you worked on a hol- preparing for the iday. What did you like and not like about it? Did holiday, and I am not. you receive holiday pay or overtime pay? The corporations that I work at a store. I am a part-time worker, but on own these stores need holiday seasons I work a lot of hours. There are to think about their no days off during the holiday, or excuses. I don’t employees outside the have time to spend work. We are people time with family. For with families. We We are people with example, last year I should have time off to celebrate holidays. families. We should worked a full shift on Thanksgiving Day. For Stores should limit have time off to that reason, we cel- their hours around celebrate holidays. ebrated Thanksgiving holidays so that on another day. I don’t employees can spend have time to travel, time with their fami- decorate my house, or buy presents. I have to do lies. all that in a hurry. POST-READING: What do you think of Shanaz’s People like to spend a lot during holidays. ideas about what corporations should do for their It’s fun when they buy stuff, but sometimes they employees around holidays? are stressed out. For example, they can’t find the RESEARCH OPTION: Look up the Fair labor Stan- right thing they want, or they can’t get the size or dards Act. Identify three ways it protect workers. the color. Really, it’s a very busy time. That’s Is there anything about the law that you why customers shop until the last min- would change? If so, what? ute. To be honest, I enjoy working What during the holiday season; it’s fun does the law ACTION STEPS: Find out which stores in your neighborhood will when I see people buying pres- say about working ents, decorations, and things be open on Thanksgiving Day for charity. I am happy when overtime? and which ones will be closed. I help customers find what The Fair Labor Standards Act Write to them and tell them they want. (FSLA), passed in 1938, says what you think of their deci- However, on the other that most workers must be sion. hand, I feel stuck in the work paid overtime (time-and-a- place when I see everybody half) for any hours they work Shanaz Qaradaghi is a student at over 40 hours in one week. North Kansas City Adult Education and Literacy in Kansas City, MO. She has Learn more about the history two children and a lovely husband. of this and other protections for workers on the next page.
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Where do Labor Laws Come From? Organizing and Protests Lead to Legal Protections
In civics class, we learn how a bill becomes law. We learn that legislators write a bill and then the legislative branch votes on it. If the majority votes in favor of the bill, it goes to the executive branch to be signed into law. However, there is something miss- ing from this story. To win change, people usually have to fight for it. We raise our voices and we protest conditions. We demand our rights. Most legal protections for ordinary people happen because we pressured our government to make a change. 1930s
In the 1930s, thousands of unemployed people marched Due to this pressure, President Roosevelt signed into for jobs, benefits, and protections. Photos in the public law a number of bills that provided supports to people domain. in need and protections to workers, including the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
Today
Over the last few years, people all across the country Due to this pressure, Mayor Eric Garcetti signed a $15 have marched and rallied to demand an increase in the minimum wage law for the city of Los Angeles in June minimum wage. Photo by Fibonacci Blue via Wikimedia. 2015. Photo: LA Mayor’s Office.
POST-READING: What are some more gains won by the labor movement? (See p. 32.)
The Change Agent — September 2015 31 Celebrations Illustration by Ricardo Levins Morales. Used with permission.
What point is the illustrator making? How do you know? Re-state the quote by Frederick Douglass in your own words. 32 The Change Agent — September 2015 Celebrations
No Tricks or Treats Alexis Klesitz
PRE-READING: Think about the word “console.” can be a real jerk. What is a consolation prize? Have you ever gotten It’s mostly because one or given one? What does it mean to “throw he never learned how to someone under the bus?” Have you ever done that deal with stress. So it’s not or had someone do that to you? his fault, but life gets very interesting with him around. I have never been allowed to celebrate Halloween. I did get a consolation prize around Hal- Weird, right? Octobers for me have never been loween. Every year my mom would get me some about candy and candy, as long as I shared it with her of course. The main reason I costumes or pump- So I guess you could argue that I got the prize kins and fun. When without the work. But to me, Halloween wasn’t didn’t get a Halloween I was younger, about the candy; it was about the fun of seeing is because of the man missing Halloween my friends in crazy costumes, being dressed up my mom married. was hard. Seeing as someone other than myself, and just walking all the other kids around with my friends on a sugar high and being running around super crazy. But of course the candy is a huge perk having fun and eating candy is not very fun for a as well. So I didn’t say no when my mom offered five year old. me her consolation prize. So your main question by now has got to be: I can remember going to school in October why in the world would someone not let their kid when I was younger and seeing all the awesome celebrate Halloween? I wish I had the answer, but I decorations, and I wanted so badly to go to a don’t. My mom said it was because of our religion, haunted house or to go on a hay ride through but I never believed her because other kids from some scary woods. But every time I asked, I would our church celebrated Halloween. Don’t think I’m get the same answer: “NO!” throwing my mom under the bus for not giving I’m older now, so I can do what I want. But me a Halloween; I turned out fine without one. I feel bad because now my little sister has to go The main reason I didn’t get a Halloween is through the same thing I did. (I do sneak her out because of the man my mom married when I was of the house on Halloween and take her trick or three. He doesn’t like anything really; he’s a weird treating; we just have to keep her candy in the car.) dude. He’s okay most of the time, even though he All in all, not having a Halloween didn’t ruin my childhood, but it would have been nice. Since I take my little sister out, I When a Holiday Is No Fun get to have the experience even though I’m older. What does the author say about her stepfather? What do you infer about him? Alexis Klesitz was born in Texas What is your experience of a holiday and is now a student at Plain- being no fun? ville Adult and Continuing Educa- tion in Plainville, CT. She enjoys Compare this story with the one on p. 34. playing video games and spending time with her family.
The Change Agent — September 2015 33 Celebrations
Taking the Good with the Bad Christmas with My Family Gregory Parker
Growing up in East Orange, New Jersey, my fam- We cut out figurines ily had many memorable Christmas celebrations, from cardboard, col- both good and bad. We usually had a lot of fun ored them with crayons, and loved our Christmas rituals. However, since and hung them on the my mom and dad where both alcoholics, there branches of the tree. We often were disagreements. As the oldest sibling, I put on colorful candy often had to be the peacemaker in the family and canes. We all thought make sure that Christmas was not ruined. It was our tree was the most not easy. beautiful tree in our neigh- Days before Christmas, my parents, sisters borhood. and brothers and I walked to a Christmas tree lot Christmas morning to choose the perfect was full of excitement. We tree for our house. We children hardly slept all night We all thought our always had a lot of knowing that “Santa Claus” was coming. What tree was the most fun because everyone would he bring us? In the morning, we went into beautiful tree in our had an opinion. After the room where the Christmas tree was decorated, finally selecting a tree and it was ablaze with light, or so it seemed to us. neighborhood. and bringing it home, And there were many presents under the tree. my Dad put the tree After we had opened all the presents, we into a stand and put on played with our new strings of lights. Then, my brothers, sisters, and I toys. There was a went to work decorating the tree. feeling of joy and I often had to be the Our Mother had popcorn ready for us and we happiness in every- peacemaker in the children put a needle with white thread through body. Later in the family and make the popcorn and made long garlands. We then day, we watched draped them all around the Christmas tree. a movie called, “A sure that Christmas We sang Christmas songs as we decorated the Christmas Story.” It was not ruined. tree. We also made our was a story about a own ornaments. little boy who was picked on by his classmates until one day he stood up to the bullies. The story had a happy ending. Unfortunately, our Christmas did not always have a happy ending. Aunts, uncles, and cousins came over, and this was fun at first, but people started drinking too much. They started having disagreements. As the oldest child in the family, I had a certain responsibility. I helped my Mom prepare the food, pick up the wrapping paper, and clean the house. And when the bickering turned
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into fighting, I tried to calm people down. family. All these are wonderful memories that stay For a time, Christmas in our house included with me forever, deep in my heart. the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. We children learned about Jesus by going to church. Gregory Parker was born in Unfortunately, since my mom and dad became East Orange, NJ. He started alcoholics, we stopped going to church regularly school at the age of 6 and fin- and ultimately we even stopped going on Christ- ished grade school at the age of 12. After that, he worked mas Day. We lost some of our religious beliefs. with his uncle in a cardboard Our lives were in turmoil because of drugs and factory. He never returned to alcohol. school until he became a stu- Christmas taught me a lot about life. It taught dent at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) Adult Education me that you can’t have the good without the bad, Program, which offers free but no matter what, you will always have your GED preparation.
Practice Reading Closely Holidays can be nuanced. They are not always about pure fun. Sometimes there are chal- lenges. Read closely the stories on the pages indicated below and fill out the chart.
Author Fun aspect of holiday Challenging aspect of holiday
p. 27
p. 34
p. 36
p. 38
The Change Agent — September 2015 35 Celebrations
Celebrating Eid A Muslim Family in Connecticut Keeps Traditions Alive Nuzhat Jahan
Life is very busy. We cannot frequently be together Therefore, every with our loved ones. Therefore we have organized year at home I cel- celebrations so that we can relax and spend time ebrate Eid. My family with each other. members and friends One holiday that my family celebrates is come and see each called Eid. Eid is a Muslim holiday that starts at other. I make a lot of the end of Ramadan, food and I give gifts, which is a 30-day especially bangles, I feel very happy and period of fasting. We henna, little amounts good when my kids celebrate Eid for the of money, and tradi- see this celebration. first three days of tional clothing. this month. I feel very happy My country of and good when my Pakistan, my community, and my family celebrate kids see this celebration. We must teach our the Eid festival. Eid is very important in my life. children to give respect to all holidays, but at the For Eid, we make new clothes, buy new shoes, and same time we don’t want them to give up their cook a lot of food, especially sweet dishes called own heritage. Therefore, parents must commit to sheer–korma. During Eid we exchange gifts with practicing their traditions and celebrating their each other. holidays so that the next generation will learn. I want to pass all my traditional and religious celebrations to the next generation of my family. Nuzhat Jahan is a student of ESL, computers, and writing at East Shore Region Adult and Continuing Education in Branford, CT. Because my kids were born here in the USA, they She has lived in the U.S. for 16 years with her husband and two won’t know how to celebrate or how to organize sons. She is from Pakistan where she attended the University of this holiday unless I show them. Karachi.
The new moon (not visible) is opposite the full moon (bottom center). Eid-al-Fitr begins when the crescent moon (to the right of the new moon) is visible in the sky. During this phase, the moon waxes. After it becomes full, it starts to wane.
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Fragile Structure, Strong Community Celebrating the Jewish Festival of Sukkot Ilana Lerman
PRE-READING VOCABULARY: Sukkot is the third holiday in the line-up of Sukkah means booth or hut or temporary structure the high holy day season. During this time, we in Hebrew. Sukkot is the plural of sukkah. take stock, reflect, and ask forgiveness. What a The Festival of Sukkot is a Jewish holiday that falls wonderful way to clean the slate before the new on the fifth day after Yom Kippur—usually in year, Rosh Hashanah. Ten days later is Yom Kip- September or October. pur, where we fast and go through a cleansing Torah is the first five books of the Bible. process. Then comes Sukkot! After the intensive self-reflective My favorite Jewish holiday is Sukkot because it holidays, Suk- Sukkot invites us to celebrates the power and permanence of commu- kot invites us to nity. It is a time for remembering our history and squeeze into these squeeze into these for giving thanks. shaky structures shaky structures and During Sukkot, Jewish people build a sukkah, and revel in the revel in the community which is a loosely built, impermanent structure. community that that gathers inside. For seven days, we bring our community together gathers inside. to eat and play games and have fun in the suk- We are only al- kah. The sukkah is meant to be fragile. It reminds lowed to have a blast in the sukkah—sing, pray, us that while physical structures may fall down, eat delicious food, sleep, and study. The ancient our community is not fragile at all. We will persist rituals remind us to give thanks for the harvest. In even if our structures do not. my family, we decorated the sukkah with gourds, Community is important to Jews because we cards from family and friends, and our own art. have a long history of displacement. According to We ate huge dinners and played games together the Torah, Moses led the Jews out of Egypt where in the sukkah. If we were feeling bold, my family they were slaves. They spent 40 years wandering would pile a bunch of blankets in our sukkah and in the desert and living in temporary structures try to sleep in it for as many October nights as the or sukkot. Over the centuries, Jews have suffered Milwaukee, Wisconsin, weather would allow. persecution and genocide, and they have been dis- As a young person, I loved this holiday that placed from their homes many times. Yet we have required us to go outside, build a fort, and sleep kept our traditions going, and our communities under the stars with people I loved. Now, it is a and people are strong. powerful reminder that structure and institutions may fall or fail, but we always have the strength of family and community.
Ilana Lerman works with Jewish Voice for Peace and enjoys singing with people that she loves. She intertwines the spiritual and the political in her work, in her faith community, and in Ilana’s family sleeping outside in the sukkah. her personal practice.
The Change Agent — September 2015 37 Celebrations
My Diwali A Hindu Festival of Lights Sue Byman
Diwali is one of the biggest and brightest Hindu holidays. It is also known as the festival of lights. It is celebrated in late October or November, and it is the beginning of the Hindu New Year. Many people in Guyana, where I grew up, celebrate Di- wali. For the festival of Diwali it is important to clean your house and yard, making your home presentable to guests and family. However, this is a ritual whose true purpose is to welcome the Goddess Lak- shmi, who brings People play with sparklers on Diwali, also known as the I remember we would spiritual and ma- festival of lights. go to the river with my terial prosperity. Growing up in Guyana, we were poor and brothers and sisters Diwali is cel- could not afford to buy the commercially made ebrated by light- to dig the mud. When diyas. The ones I saw at the market, I remember ing small lamps as being so beautiful, and when we went there I we returned home, we called diyas. would stay for hours admiring all the different would knead the mud They are usually types of diyas. The colors were bright orange, yel- arranged in rows, into little bowls that low, and red. for example, Many times I sat with my grandmother in looked like lamps. along the drive- the weeks before Diwali, and we would make our way and other own diyas out of mud. I remember we would go entranceways to to the river with my brothers and sisters to dig the the house. These patterns are supposed to show mud. When we returned home, we would knead Lakshmi the way into your home. The lamps can the mud into little bowls that looked like lamps. be made of clay or mud. These were our homemade diyas. We put them in the sun to dry. After several days, they were ready to be lit up for Diwali. Even though the mud diyas were not all perfect like the clay ones, the mud ones were all different sizes and shapes. Inside the diyas we would put a wick and some ghee, a type of oil we made out of cows’ milk. Then our home- made diyas could be lit up and set down for the celebration. On the day of Diwali everyone cooks vegetar- ian. Many sweet foods are prepared and given as Small lamps, called diyas, can be made of mud or clay. presents in goody bags. My mom would cook up
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lots of great food even though we did not have a great deal of money to spare. My sisters and brothers made homemade sparklers out of steel wool. The family would also dress up in our best clothes to go and visit our grandmother. She was also a great cook, so this became a highlight Diwali signifies the of Diwali for me. On renewal of life. the way to my grand- mother’s, my family and I would stop and admire all the decorations that we saw honoring the celebration of Diwali. Diwali signifies the renewal of life. You might say that it is the equivalent of Christmas for Hin- Sue Byman was born in Guyana, South America, and now lives dus. Although I am actually not Hindu, many of and works in the U.S. She started out as a home health aide my relatives and some family members do prac- and is presently a rehabilitation technician. Sue attends Mercy Learning Center in Bridgeport, CT, where she plans to enroll in the tice the Hindu religion. I have many fond memo- National External Diploma Program and continue her studies. She ries of this holiday from my childhood in Guyana. would like to thank everyone who has helped her so far.
Extend Your Knowledge Guyana Label the map. Name the continent and as many of the countries as you can. Look up the names of the countries you can’t identify. Use the internet to learn more about the history of Guyana. What European country colonized it? What religion did they bring? What does it mean to “colonize” another country? What is the story of how Hindus came to live there? Four major world religions are discussed in the four articles on pp. 34-39. Each article focuses on one holiday. What are the four religions? What do these holidays have in common? Write about a holiday that matters to you. Compare and contrast your holiday with those of these writers. Use phrases like “similarly” and “in contrast.”
The Change Agent — September 2015 39 Celebrations
Sacred Water, Playful Water New Year’s Day in Thailand Wararat Namvichit
My favorite celebration is Songkran festival or we drip some water on Thailand’s New Year. Everyone has three days off them (or throw it!) and from April 13 to April 15. People travel to see their say “Happy New Year!” families. They pour water on the hands of revered We always enjoy elders and ask for blessings. The elders then take water in our festivals be- their hands, wet with water, and put them on the cause it is always so hot. shoulders of the younger person and say a bless- The water refreshes us ing. My family does this too, and that makes me during the summer season which is in April. My feel good. We put flowers or perfume in the water, mother says this practice of playing with water and it makes the water smell very nice. It is a way started many years ago when people would pray to show respect for our elders. to Buddha for rain in the new year because it had Everywhere there are people having parties. not rained for a long, long time. We have huge water fights and everyone gets all wet. After I spend time with my family, I go hang Wararat Namvichit (aka “Milk”) is a student at RIRAL in Woon- out with my friends and get wet, and that is so socket, RI. She will begin studying for her GED this summer and funny. We all have big plastic bowls and when she is also working at a nail salon. After she gets her GED she people walk by or drive by in a car or motorcycle plans to go to college.
Describe what is happening in these photos. Which is sacred and which is playful? What reasons does the author give for why water is important in this festival? Photos (right) by Tevrapapas and (left) by Takeaway via Wikimedia Commons.
40 The Change Agent — September 2015 Celebrations
A Day to Reflect and Feel Grateful New Year’s Day in the Democratic Republic of Congo Christophe Shabani Kumbelu
My favorite celebration is New Year’s Day. This day is really special in my home country, the Dem- ocratic Republic of Congo (DRC). New Year’s is the best day for people to reflect on life. They inspect what aspect of their life has failed or why they haven’t achieved their dream. Then they figure out how to manage their lives in order to succeed in the I feel grateful to God New Year. On this for keeping me safe date, Christians are and alive. grateful to God for keeping them safe and for still being Christophe Shabani Kumbelu is an ELL student at Hawkeye alive. In addition, New Year’s Day is a particularly Community College Metro Center in Waterloo, IA. He has been good day to meet friends, family, and to share accepted to the University of Northern Iowa and has just begun studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. He is grateful to all of food and drink beer together. his teachers at the Metro Center. The New Year’s festivities start around the beginning of December. Everybody looks to buy new clothing and new shoes for themselves and new clothes at the Kuwait, a market where people for their kids. Everybody is well-dressed on New sell used stuff. Year’s Day. Spouses feel more confident and they On New Year’s day, families and friends meet renew their love during this period. However, together to eat. They make several meals. I espe- this moment is also frustrating for many people cially like the chicken dish called Mpondu, made because they don’t have enough money to afford with cassava leaves, and Fufu, a dish of maize all the new clothes. Because of this, just after New flour mixed with cassava flowers and rice. Dur- Year’s Day, you will find many people selling their ing this day, you will hear loud music everywhere along the streets. Adults and children dance. They dance the Ndombolo, a popular dance that uses the hips. The town officials are aware of it, but they Scrutinize This! don’t mind. What does the author scrutinize on New New Year’s Day is important to me because it Year’s Day? reminds me of the mercy of God. During this day, I scrutinize my life in all its aspects and decide in Scrutinize the article and find an exam- which direction I must go to be more successful in ple of something that is frustrating to the the future. On the day before January 1st, when I author about this holiday. am in church with my other brothers and sisters in Using context clues, define “scrutinize.” Christ, I feel grateful to God for keeping me safe and alive.
The Change Agent — September 2015 41 Celebrations
Family, Food, and Fireworks Timothy Lovett
PRE-READING: consider these vocabulary words: cornerstone, Mecca, tandem.
“The bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.” I always think of that line from the “Star Spangled Banner” while I’m watching the fireworks on July 4th. But it’s not just my country’s independence from At our July 4th picnic, Britain that’s on grandmothers, great- my mind. July 4th aunts, and great- is a time for fam- ily and for food. uncles hand down Fourth of July. My Fourth of July was always filled When I was a kid, with family, food, and fireworks. their history and the hardest part Every year my family would have a picnic at knowledge through about this holiday Lake View Park. Generations of family, tradition, was the day before, gospels and hymns. and culture gathered together as a reminder of when my refrig- our history, and also as a template for our future. erator was filled The youngest family members became acquainted with food that I was not allowed to eat—container with each other through play; no child could resist upon container of marinating meat, taunting me the call of Lake View’s jungle gym or the gentle with anticipation because tomorrow would be the waves of Lake Erie. The older kids, who were still too young to be considered adults, acted as chap- erones for the children. You could always spot the chaperones because they were grouped in hud- dles, and they would stand just far enough away from the children to look like they didn’t care, but close enough to react if need be. My aunts and uncles would catch up with each other and reminisce about the old days. They would indulge in alcoholic beverages and laugh at their growing pains. My Great Aunt Lill in this picture; she is one of the elders who looked over the family, and she is one of the strongest women I know. She is one of the cornerstones of our family. Year after year, she keeps our tradi- tions going. Anyone who needs food or a place to stay, she goes out of her way to provide it. All she asks in return is that you go to church on Sunday. Aunt Lill at the Lovett family picnic. Oh, and you are going to church because, come
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Sunday, Aunt Lill is coming to get you, rain, sleet, imagine those are the sounds of war. And when or snow. I see the sky raining with flashes of embers, I At our July 4th picnic, grandmothers, great- imagine that those are beacons to illuminate our aunts, and great-uncles hand down their history flag on the battlefield, and, yes, our flag was still and knowledge through gospels and hymns. there. This is an American tradition; therefore it is When they speak, everyone respectfully listens, my family’s tradition and when they sing, we all join in the chorus. because we are Ameri- “People come and go, but family stays eternal.” can, and so we cel- My family may get together at other times ebrate this day, with a during the summer to cook out, but this is the barbecue and a bang. Mecca of all cookouts. At no other time will this volume or variety Timothy Lovett is a stand-up From sun-up to sun- of meat be cooked comic who has performed and consumed. and promoted shows all over down, meat is being Charcoal and gas the state. Tim is a full-time student studying IT, and com- barbecued using the grills work in tan- puter security at Springfield family recipe, which dem filling the sky Technical Community College, with an aromatic and has been previously pub- has been entrusted to roar. My cousin lished in The Change Agent. my cousin. Glen says it serves as a warning to all the other cookouts On Patriotism that he is the Alpha chef, and it’s true. His burgers, chicken, fish, kabobs, steaks, ribs, pork chops, sea- What do you think the author means food, and even his hot dogs are scrumptious. From when he says, “I don’t agree with all of sun-up to sun-down, meat is being barbecued America’s history or its policies, but at the using the family recipe, which has been entrusted end of the day, I am an American”? to my cousin. It is a special honor to cook for my family; it is a rite of passage, and only one or two Discuss various ways that different groups men share in this ritual. The rest of us bring meat, within the United States might relate dif- side dishes, and support products to contribute to ferently to the idea of being an American. the picnic. Then we sit down to eat as a family, the Add to your knowledge of history. elders bless the food, and then we stuff ourselves Watch this 4-minute video of Morgan full of tradition. At night, the fireworks take place on the Freeman reading a speech by Frederick beach. We all gather together on the boardwalk to Douglass, which he watch the fireworks replace the silent night with was asked to deliver thunderous booms and beautiful embers. The on July 4, 1952: Independence Day celebration is a reminder of the
The Change Agent — September 2015 43 Celebrations
It Felt Like a Stampede Surviving (and Learning to Love) Mardi Gras as a 7-Year-Old Donte Riley
PRE-READING: There were high • Look at the pictures. What might be scary school march- about Mardi Gras to a child? What might be ing bands with exciting? brightly colored • Consider the simile used in the title. What is uniforms, step- the author trying to express? ping with a hip type of rhythm. I was 7 years old when I first encountered a Mardi There were people Gras parade. There was lots of noise, such as in costumes on people playing music and the crowd cheering the horses, and then street performers with there were police high-pitched yells There were big, tall on horses, trotting and applause. There along the crowded people everywhere, were big, tall people streets. and I felt like I was everywhere, and I felt The best thing was trying to catch the stuff in a gigantic forest. like I was in a gigantic that people were throwing from the floats. They forest. threw materials in all shapes and sizes into the I can also recall a sweaty humidity. They threw colored beads, very scary but exciting line of moving vehicles—or plastic drinking cups, glittered coconuts, stuffed “floats”—detailed with strange paintings, color- animals, and once I even caught a $20 bill! ful sheets, beautiful flowers, and lots of glitter. I remember that I felt uncomfortable and worried that I would somehow become lost or maybe even get stampeded. I kept thinking, And after a big slice of “What if?” What King Cake and a cold if a horse steps drink, I was ready to on me? What if I get lost and can’t fit in with the enor- find my mom? mous crowds, and I And worse yet, was filled with energy what if I get like a brand new car kidnapped?! The fearful feelings battery. only lasted a few hours. I watched the older kids running around and laughing. They didn’t seem afraid of anything, so I didn’t feel so A Mardi Gras float.
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uncomfortable and alone. And after a big slice of King Cake and a cold drink, I was ready to fit in with the enormous crowds, and I was filled with energy like a brand new car battery. Mardi Gras is an amazing celebration with people having lots of fun during the outrageous events. After Hurricane Katrina it was never the same. It was still very crowded, but I didn’t know What is as many people. So many people had moved away. I look back now, and see how understand- Mardi able it was that my 7-year-old self was frightened, Gras? but the memory that I keep is the memory of “wow.” Mardi Gras (which means “Fat Tuesday” Donte is 19 years old and is incarcerated at Allen Correctional in French) is the last day that people can Center in Kinder, Louisiana, due to not obeying Louisiana laws. He is currently attending education classes, trying to learn more have big parties and eat and drink as and get his HiSET. His passion is working with dogs that come they please—before they enter the period from abusive homes. He previously trained dogs at Dixon Correc- tional Institute in Jackson, Louisiana, in the hopes that they would of Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday. one day have a “forever” home. For Christians, Lent is a time of sacrifice POST-READING: and fasting. In the United States, the • Find some key words and phrases that the au- Catholic French who settled in Louisiana thor uses to convey how he felt overwhelmed brought the traditions of Mardi Gras by the Mardi Gras parade. with them from their native country. The • Find some key words and phrases that the au- celebration took root in New Orleans, thor uses to convey his enthusiasm and grow- which now boasts the most famous ing comfort with the parade. carnival in the United States. • Share and write about a time when you felt both overwhelmed and excited by a celebration.
“Marching 100” by B1ed2 via Wikimedia Commons.
The Change Agent — September 2015 45 Celebrations
They Forgot We Are Seeds Camille Flores
In Mexico, we celebrate El Día del Estudiante (Stu- Iguala in the state of Guerrero on September 26, dents’ Day) on May 23. It commemorates the vio- 2014. lent beating of students by police during a protest On this day, students from a nearby college march in 1929 at the National University in Mexico traveled to Iguala for a protest march. They were City (UNAM). On May 23 of every year, there are going there to protest the local government’s peaceful demonstrations all over the country as discriminatory hiring and funding practices. The a reminder of the educational freedoms students State police stopped the protestors and began have fought for over the years in Mexico. shooting. Six people were killed, 25 were wound- This year on El Día del Estudiante, we re- ed, and 43 students disappeared. membered the 43 students who were kidnapped, The Mexican federal government launched and most likely killed, by police in the town of an official investigation. One body has been
“They wanted to bury us, but they forgot we are seeds.” Illustration by Claudia Guzman. Used with permission.
46 The Change Agent — September 2015 Celebrations
found and identified, but 42 are still missing. teacher sets up 43 Understandably, the Mexican people believe that empty desks in the the government has not done enough. One of town center with a Mexico’s revolu- sign that reads, “I Families, teachers, tionary heroes, cannot teach today. Emiliano Zapata I am missing 43 fellow students, and declared, “Si no students.” Parents friends continue to hay justicia para hang signs that say demand justice for the el pueblo, que no “What if your child missing students by haya paz para were number 44?” el gobierno.” (If Artists have taken organizing and partici- there is no justice their protest to pating in public pro- for the people, let the streets as well. test marches. there be no peace “It was the state!” for the govern- is being painted ment.) With this next to the election in mind, families, teachers, fellow students, and campaign slogans. friends continue to demand justice for the missing Students paint “43” on their bodies and remove students by organizing and participating in public their clothes in public areas to keep the public’s protest marches. attention on the disappearances. Other students The President of the Mexican Republic, plant 43 trees along roadsides in memory of the Enrique Peña Nieto, has instructed the Mexi- missing students. can people to stop protesting. He uses military As we celebrate El Día del Estudiante, par- force to stop demonstrations. He decreed that ents, teachers and students, remember the words participating in a protest march is now a federal of Elie Wiesel, Nobel Laureat and Holocaust survi- offense. Governmental pressure makes sure that vor, “There may be times when we are powerless most newspapers do not print anything about the to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time disappearances or protest marches. Governmental when we fail to protest.” The people of Mexico control makes sure that internet chatrooms and persevere. twitter hashtags are closed down at the mere men- tion of the 43 missing students. Camile Flores is an English teacher who lives in a tiny community These limitations have not stopped the in Mexico with her husband and son. She has petitioned the people, and they found new ways to express their local government for the construction of basic services such as running water, electricity, and sewer for the community and she is outrage. In one ongoing peaceful protest, a retired a firm supporter of justice in police and civilian interactions.
Bringing it Home In the United States there have been incidents of police mis-using their power, particularly against Black people. Research some of these events. What has been the public reaction to these events? How do we commemorate Black lives and the Black struggle for freedom in the U.S.? Can you name public holidays or monuments or events that help us honor Black lives?
The Change Agent — September 2015 47 Celebrations
San Geronimo Day Jordan Montoya
I come from a small town in New Mexico called Taos. In this town, we have a certain celebration in September, and it is one of my favorite times of the year. All my relatives gather up and eat traditional native foods. This day is known as San Geronimo Day or “feast day.” My people are Native American Puebloans. We celebrate feast days because it was introduced to us by the Spanish colonizers, who brought Catholicism to our region. But feast days This day is impor- also give us a chance tant to me because to celebrate the tradi- it brings my family tional Pueblo religion. San Geronimo Day together and, oh is a mixture of both man, the food that religions. people cook! During this celebration, people from all over gather and watch the sacred clowns climb the pole. This Clowns climbing the pole during San Geronimo Day. is an old Pueblo tradition. There is a basket of of- Painting of unknown origin. ferings on top of the pole, and the clowns have to climb up to get it. The clowns humiliate and dunk This day is important to me because it brings people in the river who have been bad. There are my family together and, oh man, the food that also vendors selling food and arts and crafts. On people cook! San Geronimo Day makes me very this day, people celebrate the harvest and family, hungry, and I also feel good about myself because among other things that are private to my people. I’m with my family. Everyone is just enjoying themselves without any conflict. This is a good Consider the History time to celebrate with your family. If you’re ever in New Mexico around Septem- According to the author, what religions ber, I suggest you come to the feast and take part influence San Geronimo Day? in this celebration. You won’t regret it—especially Share what you know about the history if you love food! of New Mexico. Jordan Montoya is a student at the Adult Learning Center at the Read p. 49 to find out more. Then re- University of New Mexico in Taos, NM. He was born in Oklahoma. His mother a part of the Seminole tribe and his father is from search more on your own. Taos Pueblo. He plans to be a fireman once he obtains his High School Equivalency.
48 The Change Agent — September 2015 Celebrations
United States of America 1823-1845
According to the Library of Congress, “The first Mexicans to become part of the United States never crossed any border. Instead, the border crossed them.” Before the U.S. won the Mexican American War in 1848, a huge area in the southwest of what is the current United States was part of Mexico. Read more about New Mexico and this region here:
Research and Learn More about U.S. History What country first colonized the region marked as Mexico on the map above? Who was living there at the time? What country was second to colonize this region? How did they go about it? Research the Mexican-American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and the Gadsden Purchase to find out more about how this area came to be controlled by the United States. Organize your research into a powerpoint presentation. What do you think about colonizers fighting over land and purchasing it from each other? When history is told this way, who is left out?
The Change Agent — September 2015 49 Celebrations
Festa Junina A Brazilian Celebration of Country Life Elci Silva
In Brazil I grew up celebrating Festa Junina or June Going to Festival during harvest time. It is my family’s fa- Festa Junina vorite holiday. is exciting for The festival celebrates rural life and features everyone. We country clothing, games, food, and dance. The have all sorts most important dance is of things to When my mother called Quadrilha, which do, such as is similar to square playing games began making our dancing. Men dress up to win small dresses we knew as farm boys with large prizes, eating that our favorite straw hats and patched different types of food, and dancing Quadrilha. jeans. Women wear My favorite games are pin the tail on the donkey holiday was near. pigtails, paint freckles and ring toss. My favorite foods are the different on their faces, paint gap types of sweets, of course! I love the different col- teeth, and wear red-checkered dresses. It is very ors and decorations used to celebrate Festa Junina. popular all over Brazil. The decorations include flags, balloons, and flow- I remember every year my mother making ers in every color imaginable and of course every- colorful dresses for my sisters and me. When my one’s country outfits. mother began making our dresses we knew that Not only do Brazilians get excited about go- our favorite holiday was near. We got more and ing to Festa Junina, but this party also represents more excited as she finished sewing our dresses. an important economic opportunity for communi- Even though we grew up in a big city, our dresses ties because many tourists come to join the cel- made us feel like country girls. ebration.
Brazilians dance the Quadrilha during Festa Junina
50 The Change Agent — September 2015 Celebrations
And the holiday is spreading. In the U.S., POST-READING: anywhere there is a large population of Brazilians, • Find and analyze the topic sentences and the there are Festa Junina celebrations. For example, details in each of the paragraphs. in many cities near Boston, schools and churches • When is harvest season in the U.S.? What have made Festa Junina an annual tradition for about in your country of origin? their families and their American friends. This is great because it introduces people to a wonderful • Study the map below. What do you notice part of Brazilian culture. about the timing of the harvest festivals? How do you explain the timing? June is definitely the best month of the year, and I’m sure all the children and their families • Collect information from all your classmates who go to a Festa Junina will agree with me. about harvest festivals they know of. Add them to the map.
Elci Silva is a Mineira, which means she grew up in the state of • Use the internet to research more harvest festi- Minas Gerais in Brazil. She has a smart, beautiful daughter who vals. Add them to the map. is starting her nursing studies. She is a student at The Shop University in Helena, Montana, which except for the cold winters, • Make a powerpoint presentation about harvest is similar to her home town of Governador Valadares. festivals around the world.
Harvest Festivals around the World
Thanksgiving November United States
San Geron- imo Day September Sukkot New Mexico Sept./Oct. Fête Israel Des Haricots Festa Junina September June Togo Brazil
The equator divides the world into southern and northern hemispheres. The prime meridian divides the world into western and eastern hemispheres. Label the equator, the prime meridian, and the four hemispheres on the map. Research the prime meridian. National Geographic has a good article
The Change Agent — September 2015 51 Celebrations
Walking Backward to Freedom Celebrating the “Fête Des Haricots” in Togo, West Africa Jane Funmilayo Agnatodji
PRE-READING Find the definitions of these words before you read: pilgrims, animosity, resolve, harvest, prosper
This is a story about the migra- tion of the Ewe (pronounced ay- way) people, my great grand- ma’s native people, a tribe that is as old as the human race. The story of their migration is the reason for one of the fa- mous celebrations in my coun- try Togo, West Africa. This celebration is a The Ewe exodus from Notsie. Image from
52 The Change Agent — September 2015 Celebrations
to grow and to be harvested. They named that new shoes, jewelry, and a white dress. The celebra- place “Tsevie” (which means grow up or sprout tion is important to me because it is part of who I out a little bit). After they harvested the beans, am. I love it so much. We, the great grandchildren, they journeyed to a land full of sand. They settled dressed in white and welcomed strangers and there and named it Keta, which means “On top of introduced ourselves to each other. We killed cows the sand.” and cooked beans because beans were the favorite Keta is in the Ketu District of Ghana. The food of the pilgrims. After the celebration every- pilgrims dropped their belongings and said, “We one went home with uncooked beans. have planted our I will never forget that the struggle of the feet on a higher Notsie people was hard and courageous. It makes I will never forget that ground. Can me feel great and proud. Throughout the year, I the struggle of the we think of any never lack beans. The Notsie people was other place where honoring of this his- hard and courageous. life is better than tory and these people ordinary home?” is a very special It makes me feel great In Keta they celebration for me. I and proud. lived a quiet, have missed it since I peaceful life, and came to America! they prospered. After the death of the unkind king, they decided Jane Funmilayo Agnatodji is a student at the Adult to come back and settle in Tsevie. They chose Au- Academic Program in gust 8th as the day to commemorate their escape, Golden Valley, MN. She is and they named it Fête Des Haricots. originally from Togo in West- When I was in my country, this was a very ern Africa. She’s a mother and grandmother, and she important celebration to me. To celebrate Fête Des is active in singing, reading Haricots, I had to save money so that I could buy and writing.
Political Boundaries vs. Tribal Boundaries Between 1880 and 1913, the Europeans drew boundaries for 40 new states or colonies in Af- rica. These boundaries form the basis of current African nations. The country boundaries created by the Europeans often grouped together African peoples with very different ethnic, religious and political backgrounds. — from
The Change Agent — September 2015 53 Celebrations
We are the ones we have been waiting for! Thomas Banyacya, Senior
You have been telling the people that this is the eleventh hour. Now, you must go and tell the people that THIS is the hour, and there are things to be considered.
Where are you living? What are you doing? What are your relationships? Are you in the right relationship? Where is your water? Know your garden …
It is time to speak your truth. Create your community. Thomas Banyacya Sr. (1910-1999), Be good to each other. was a member of the Wolf, Fox, and Do not look outside yourself for a leader. Coyote Clans of the Hopi Nation.
There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold onto the shore. They will feel they are being pulled apart, and will suffer greatly.
Understand that the river knows its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore. Push off into the middle of the river. Keep our eyes open and our heads above water.
And I say: see who is in there with you. Hold fast to them and celebrate!
At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally. Least of all, ourselves! For the moment we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to an end. The time of the Lone Wolf is over!
Gather yourselves! Banish the word “struggle” from your attitude and vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
We are all about to go on a journey. We are the ones we have been waiting for!
POST-READING: What does the author mean by “We are the ones we have been waiting for!” What is the river a metaphor for? About the river, Banyacya says, “See who is in there with you. Hold fast to them and celebrate!” Who is “in the river” with you? How do you “hold fast” and celebrate?
54 The Change Agent — September 2015 Celebrations Write for The Change Agent CALL FOR ARTICLES YOU MUST include contact informaton in all articles and emails. Please cite sources. THEME: Race. We invite adult learners to share their experiences in writing or with illus- trations. Use one or two (not all!) of the following writing prompts to guide your writing: SAMPLE QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: • What is race? Research this question. Use several sources to back up your claims. Draw from science as well as sociology. • Does race have special meaning in the U.S.? If so, what is it? • Explore the history of race in the U.S. Where does the idea of “race” come from? • If you are not from the U.S., does race have a different meaning in your country of origin? If so, describe it. • Has race been used to divide people? If so, how? Who benefits from racial divisions? • Describe when you first became aware of race. Tell the story. Include details. • Describe a way that you have experienced racism in an interpersonal situation -- for example, a racist comment made by a friend or co-worker. • Describe a way that you have experienced institutional racism -- for example, being treated differently by police or the court system because of the color of your skin. • The issue of black people being killed by police or dying in police custody has been in the news a lot lately. What are your reflections on this issue? • What is the #blacklivesmatter movement about? What do you think about it? • Explore what it means to be white in the U.S. If you are white, can you identify any privileges that you got as a result of being white? Can you tell any stories about how being white affected you? • What are the advantages and disadvantages of categorizing people by race? • What do you celebrate about your race?
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: November 6, 2015. Make sure to include contact information. Send your submissions to: [email protected]. Please submit illustrations, cartoons, and graphics on this theme too! The complete “call for articles” is at
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The Change Agent — September 2015 55 continued from front cover My great- Johnson (her great- great-grandmother grandfather). Both Mariah Johnson had been slaves. was a slave during Thanks to this this period. She close relationship, had come to Texas our family has from Tennessee some oral history with her slave mas- of what happened ter in what they during slavery referred to as tent and at the time wagons. Mariah the slaves in Texas said that one day were freed. the “ole master” Sonia had a sent for the slaves passion for pre- to come to his serving her fam- house. Mariah did ily and cultural not want to go be- “Jubilee” by Sonia Lynn Sadler. Used with permission from Inez Sadler. history. After a cause she thought number of her he wanted to whip them. She lagged behind the older relatives passed away, Sonia decided that the rest and stood behind a tree. After a little while, stories they told would best be preserved through her mother came running to her shouting and her art, especially her scratchboards. She knew the singing that they were free. power of her heritage and wanted to embrace it The picture on the front cover, “Juneteenth artistically. Among her paintings in this genre is a at Oak Bluffs” (painted by my daughter, Sonia series depicting the end of slavery, reunions, and Sadler), symbolizes one of the types of celebrations Juneteenth celebrations. For example, the painting that took place in Texas during my childhood in “Jubilee” shows former slaves celebrating their the 1940s. In our town, Lubbock, we celebrated freedom. Sonia wanted others, especially youth, to Juneteenth with plenty of barbecue, ice-cream, understand that out of the darkest circumstances watermelons, and red soda pop. We got new play can come light, happiness, and even humor. She clothes, and we were so proud of them. There did not want this part of our history to be viewed would be celebrating all over our part of town. We with total disdain or negativity, because as a peo- hardly ever celebrated the 4th of July. ple who suffered and persevered, we have accom- Juneteenth was a big thing during my child- plished so much in spite of those circumstances, hood. However, it became less important as time and sometimes because of them. went on. I think it was because of integration and Sources: Handbook of Texas