Strengthen Community In Walking Tall

The book Soul of a Citizen by Paul Loeb makes a compelling case for civic engagement. The book emphasizes the need for people to get involved in civic life and it gives examples of people who made a huge impact just by deciding to do. These people saw something that was not right and they went out of their way to help. However, it was not size but they made up their mind that this was what they were going to do and went about doing it. They did not know that by doing that they were going to make a huge impact but they ended up making a huge impact and creating change. Just as these people did, I believe that everyone can engage in civic change and make a different. In this paper, I am going to discuss ways an average citizen can engage in civic life, ways that social worker can encourage others to get involved in civic life and why is it important for social workers to serve in this role.

In Barabara Goodmon’s video, she discusses about systemic change and she provided numerous examples on why people should go out to make a difference. She encourages people in their life would do something if they are not working on social change. In this case, if they are not working on policy and advocacy, then they are not doing what the system needs. In North Carolina, we have about 30,000 nonprofits where they assist numerous of people and donors. Yet, it seems like we cannot get things change. Furthermore, people should let their voice be heard or else nothing is going to change and it will affect our next generation or our society today. In order to get people involved with the nonprofit world, they need to find their passion. If Goodmon

Although, that argument doesn’t alter the fact that small differences can still produce impactful contributions to the overall solution. Our world has seen the strong, emotional connection between people when advocating for the same cause. The terrorist attack of 9/11 is a prime demonstration of citizens working together to protect the fallen; the Boston bombings of 2013 had an identical response from the community around it. As discussed by 9/11 survivor, Michael Benfante, the individuals that helped during the devastating event were almost involuntary as they “instinctively do everything we [they] can to reduce the amount of harm and provide comfort to those in need,” (Michael Benfante).

Every little thing a person does has an impact. Whether it’s only posting something on social media or confronting the problem head-on, what a person does can change anything. While Mother Jones and Saru Jayaraman came face-to-face with solving workers’ rights, Cesar Chavez worked through an organization to get migration farmers better work. Although these individuals used different methods, they all showed leadership and courage to fight for the equality and the safety for others.

There is a quote by Edward Everett Hale that the president of Randolph Community College, Robert Shackleford, states in every one of his speeches: “I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.” This quote inspires me to make a change in my community. There is a way to help people in everything you do.

Examples can be found throughout history, revolutionaries who pushed for a better tomorrow. In the American Revolution, the revolutionary leaders faced punishment by the British, but with the dream of a brighter future of independence, John Hancock audaciously inscribed his name at the base of the Declaration of Independence, the document signifying the birth of a nation, built on the hope that a person could work hard and be rewarded, and that a people could live freely without fearing oppression from any reigning monarch. Even if it’s not sparking a revolution, even if the eyes of the world isn’t watching, people are forced with the weighing decision of whether to make a difference or let the issue pass peacefully over them, ignored, everyday. In places like schools, workplaces, and on the streets of the world, witnesses see injustice, and are faced with a split second decision: do I do something or ignore it? A good citizen stands up, and faces the crowd, tells the bully to back down, and does something to make life better, even for a short period, because they know that everyone deserves

I have a variety of ways that I have helped out my town of Poplar by just doing small acts all around the town. Roles that I have made include trying to clean it up and trying to cover up graffiti. I helped out in a local group by just cleaning up the park and other locations such as the school and fields that are there. The group was Paint Poplar which was a group of residents from the area and a teacher from a school there and creating the group. What I really want there is to be more of an organized town and fixing the roads. What that means is trying to not have a huge amount of old houses that are all dirty and roads that are all broken and instead grouping up and trying to fix what is wrong with the town. I was inspired by a documentary

I believe that the people in a community are what make it strong. The relationships that are built throughout a community create a bond that links everyone together. When people are connected they care about more than their own well being. They care about the school system, the businesses, activities, and traditions that make one community different from the other. I believe that Waverly is a strong community, I see this strength at football games when so many diverse people are their cheering on the same team, I also see a strong community in the organizations that are set up to help those in need like the food bank and the backpack program.

It only takes one person to change the world. It only takes one voice to stand up against violence and rally people around the idea of

Though, it may not seem this way, the impact you may have on someone can make a difference. When you make an impact on a person’s life you are taking a step forward, to make a difference. Elie Wiesel survived the Holocaust and lived to share his story. We should never forget the stories of the lost and the gone. So that we do not repeat their mistakes. All it takes is one person, an Albert Schweitzer, to make a difference. Discrimination is something that everyone, even Elie Wiesel, has to deal with. Evan Ducker and Sarah Cronk both stood up and spoke out against discrimination. Evan Ducker wrote a book to help people. I understand what it feels like to be judged based on looks. Sarah Cronk created a cheerleading squad inviting everyone to join and be united together. There is a campaign created to support and encourage others to pursue their dream job. This campaign supports people in all ages to become their dream job not just children. One person is all it takes to make a difference. The question of if a person can make a difference is silly because it only takes one person. The real question is, how can one person make a difference? So yes, one person can make a

Have you ever wondered how some people enact change? Mother Jones protested for child labor laws. Melba integrated a white high school in order to get rid of racism. Nelson Mandela joined South Africa’s congress to help racism. They all persevered to enact change, but they took different approaches for their problems.

Having multiple people come together can truly have an enormous impact. In “I am Malala,” Malala’s valley is under control by the Taliban. Malala and her father would be the brave ones to speak out against them. The Swatis coming together against the Taliban had a much bigger impact than only Malala and her father speaking up against the Taliban. Studies have shown that crime rates decrease when communities come together. People connecting together and voicing opinions is way more powerful than one voice standing alone.

On a lighter note, it is possible to make change through peaceful means. An example of this is when Elvis rocked America. It all started with Ed Sullivan who hosted a show called The Toast of the Town at 8 P.M. every Sunday night. He lacked the natural good looks of other T.V. stars and had issues seeing the script. “Sullivan had one cardinal rule: the acts had to appropriate for the ‘family hour’.” (202). The middle class at this time was growing rapidly. GNP increased over 200%. The middle class family income rose by 50%. Real wages were increasing. “By 1960, 96 percent of the nation’s families owned refrigerators, 87 percent their own TV set, and 75 percent their own washing machine.” (203). With this increase in wealth, many markets grew.

The greatest component to a successful small town is citizens working together. As a result of our cohesive citizens, our town displays a stellar community within itself. A small town lives and dies by citizenship, the people who work hard, who donate their time to local works, or who hold the door for elders. Growing up, I have become more grateful towards the environment I have been raised in. Fortunately, I feel as though the small-town citizenship has rubbed off on me. Like a pig rolling in the county fair sawdust, I am grateful for the ability to learn the acts of being a good citizen.

On July 18, 2017, I attended the City of Gulfport’s City Council Meeting. The council is made up of elected members of the community whose focus is the city’s goals, major projects and infrastructure improvements. The council makes decisions that range from community growth to land use to finances and strategic planning. Competencies demonstrated during the meeting were Competencies 3 and 5. Competency number 3 focuses on Advanced Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice. The meeting demonstrated knowledge of the ideas and concepts related to the notions of social justice, advocacy, leadership, social change, social support, social networks, and social capital consistent with a MSLC perspective. This competency was demonstrated by addressing community concerns by incorporating ideas of citizens and community leaders. Community leaders such as council members and the mayor provided support and clarification of city policies. The citizens advocated for changes in their community by bringing their issues to the city council for resolutions. Competency 5 focuses on Engaging in Policy Practice. This was demonstrated by advanced skills in social work practice including the ability to link theory, policy-practice, and research/ evaluation, and to employ leadership skills to demonstrate and promote such a linkage. This competency was demonstrated by city council members and the citizens of Gulfport, MS. They worked together to ensure