Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Bringing the "Dream" to Black History Month (3rd Place Student Entries)

I'm sure millions of people around the world made an effort to watch Barack Obama address Congress last night. President Obama talked about how the stimulus package can and will be a solution to many of the problems that are facing not only our economy, but our schools, families, and our overall moral.

One of the many topics that he touched on that stuck out to me was his introduction of the little girl who submitted the 'letter' about her and her classmates at her school and how they are not 'quitters.' I apologize for not remembering her name, but I do know and understand what that letter meant and how so many other students throughout the world could have written a similar letter.

Continuing with this series that I started yesterday showcasing the Cabrini Connections' students who participated in our "I Have a Dream" project I thought it was fitting to mention President Obama's reference to the young girl who was present at the Address last night, and how that letter could be replaced with these two letters from our 2 students who tied for 3rd place in the our contest.
~Dreams do Come True~
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I HAVE A DREAM- Barack Obama and Martin Luther King


Hi! My name is Ashanti Anderson. Although I’m a young lady, there are lots of things I find that’s unfair in America. I’ve been at Jenner Academy of the Arts since kindergarten. Although my teachers try their best to give me a good education, I’m not allowed to bring my hard cover books home. The soft cover books really do not help me because in my soft cover math book there are no examples. The book always just tells me what problems to solve. I have the same problems with my Science book, but instead the questions are on a sheet of paper.

The best place for me to study is in my home because there are no distractions from my peers. I need my hard cover books to study. If I don’t have my books at home my guardian will not be able to help me without any material. I think the reason why I can’t bring my books home is because if something happens to any of the books the school will not have enough money to replace them. I hope Obama puts more money into things more important like my school.

Martin Luther King made a change that Obama needs to finish. Martin Luther King made the rights for Blacks and Whites to get along. Although it’s not as bad as it was before Martin Luther King stepped up, it’s not great. Martin Luther King said his “I Have a Dream” speech, August 28, 1963. There has been 46 years since he has done this great thing, but more change has to come. I hope in the next 4 years Obama brings the Whites and the Blacks together more because he said he was going to make a change.

By,
Ashanti Anderson
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Ashaunti Roby Jan. 29.2009
I Have a Dream…
Dear Mr. Obama and his legislative committee:

My name is Ashaunti Roby and I am completing my 8th grade year at Newberry Academy. During my 13 years in life I’ve been faced with many community problems. I thought these problems could never be solved, but now you, Mr. Obama, have showed me that the sky is the limit and anything is possible.

It has been brought to my attention that change has come to America. Now that Mr. Obama is our first African American president, doors have been opened and dark hallways have been lit for many people. Also, in my community I’ve been faced with problems like gang violence, unemployment, high taxes, and global warming.

Gang violence is a huge problem in the community today. People are getting killed left and right for these unnecessary reasons. There are drive-by-shootings, gang wars, and people getting jumped and beat up for having their hat tilt to the wrong side. Innocent youngsters are dying and getting hurt for something they did not cause or have any notice of. The solution is getting these “wanna-be-gangsters” off the streets. Provide more programs for them to be doing something more productive. After-school programs only go up to 13-14 years of age then just drop kids off out on the streets. There has to be a better way to go about this.

Unemployment has a lot to do with problems in the community. My father is unemployed and is dying to get a job. Although he didn’t finish high school and just recently got out of jail, he’s a changed man and a really nice person. He wants to help and provide for his family too. He doesn’t want a nice high paying career, but a job with minimum pay that would put clothes on our backs and food on the table. I believe he’s very intelligent and has learned from his mistake. The point I am trying to make is there should be jobs for the unemployed so people are able to get out of debt, pay child support, or pay off bills. I know half of the people I’m talking about are accountable for the reasons they can’t get a job but things would be so much easier if we all could just cut them some slack.

High taxes have been a big problem in the year of 2008 now coming into 2009. The government’s bad decisions caused this financial crisis that is affecting the whole country. We all are in dept now, and tax prices are rising because of things we have no control over. In Chicago, people have to move out of the city because they can’t afford to live in a high priced city. If houses or apartments are available the living conditions are very poor. We live in the worst way possible just because of taxes. Also, gas prices are a big problem too. Now, we are at the point where we can’t even afford a full tank of gas all the time. We are now in this economic downfall which no one can survive from. Everyone is suffering from it and can’t beat it. That’s a problem; again I don’t have a solution for it.
In conclusion, Mr. Obama, I believe change has come to America. You have shown the country and the world: yes we will, yes we can, and yes we did!

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