Giovani Heron BLOG POST#2

   

    Two hundred and fifty years of democracy feels just like yesterday. The trials and tribulations this country has endured feels like a drama filled soap opera. What Americans have endured, is quite astonishing. From celebration to turmoil, happiness to sadness, rage to understanding, spitefulness to equality we have lasted two hundred and fifty years. Can’t believe it to be quite honest. It wasn’t looking too promising in the beginning, but here we are. Throughout the years, many persons in this country have made a difference. Creating change that would have long term effects in our daily lives. Those people are what we call changemakers. Without changemakers, what would life be like? Would we evolve? I don’t know, but because these changemakers took risks and made sacrifices we have a structured way of life today. Although, work is never done and change is always hiring, I’m glad they did and I’m excited for the next two hundred and fifty years even though I’ll be dead. 

     The changemakers we’ve had throughout these two hundred and fifty years, the history they’ve made are proof of life. They showed us what it means to fight for what you believe in. Advocating for oneself, proving that all things are possible once you believe. 

     There were a lot of names I heard during these presentations that I knew but knew nothing about. Specifically, the 1800’s. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Susan B Anthony, President Abraham Lincoln, Federick Douglass to name a few. I had no idea who Florence Nightingale was at the time of the presentation, but I do now! Something as simple as being clean and sanitary could make so much change. Sanitation in hospitals has been one of the most important factors for patient care and it’s thanks to Florence Nightingale. She made being a nurse a respectable profession. Using graphs and statistics to prove deaths were caused by poor sanitation was an absolute game changer. In school, we were taught about Harriet Tubman and the underground railroad, but no one ever explains how her actions provisioned change. I definitely didn’t know she commanded a military raid. How badass of her! The changemakers of the 1800s paved precedent for the future changemakers of the world. 

THE BIG 19 DOUBLE 00's

     The 1900s were my favorite. Mainly because it’s my century. I’m biased, but for good reasons, I promise. The changemakers of the 1900s really had their work cut out for them. Wars, racism and segregation, diseases, pollution! New century same problems. The fight for racism wasn’t over. Changemakers like Malcolm X, Ida B Wells, Martin Luther King and Wesley Augustus Williams fought tooth and nail for racial equality for black Americans. I find it quite ridiculous that we have all these changemakers for such a silly reason. Racism is silly when you think about it from a social perspective. How does skin color determine who is allowed to do what? Or where one is allowed to use the bathroom? Or who one is allowed to love? Unfortunately, It seems like the fight for racial equality is a marathon… On a brighter note, we have Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson is one of the greatest artists the world has ever seen. And he’s black. How ironic! Billie Jean is not my lover, she’s just a girl that thinks that I am the one, but the kid is not my … sorry. Sidetracked. That song came out in 1983 and somehow is still being played everywhere. People of all ages know the words to his songs. He is a revolutionary artist, a great singer and an amazing dancer. Did I mention he’s black? Personally, that was my favorite changemaker thus far. I mean, it’s Michael Jackson for crying out loud. I think if you were to compare Michael Jackson to Martin Luther King, you might say Michael Jackson isn’t a changemaker, or maybe he’s inadequate in comparison, but music is a vital part of the human experience. Listening to music has improved my life in so many ways and I’m glad we have artists like Michael Jackson. Music sparks invention, creation and ideas. Totally necessary. 

The 2000’s WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE! 

     The 2000s is still ongoing but a lot has occurred thus far. The elevation of black excellence, the shift in technology and the ongoing battle with racism. In 2008, the biggest change in American history happened. Barack Obama, a black man, was appointed the 44th president of the United States. Wow! I can’t believe we’ve only had one president who is a person of color rule our country. His presidency exposed and lead racism from out the shadows and into the sunlight. He served eight great years as president and even to this day people still wish he was in office. We also have Serena Williams. One of the greatest female tennis players to hit the court! Breaking records proving that hard work pays off. We have Elon Musk who is creating change with the invention of the Tesla. It’s too early to tell if it’s for the better, but I guess time will tell. Computers are on the rise. The next two hundred and fifty years a computer will be our changemaker! 

It's My OPINION

 There were a lot of great changemakers in this presentation, but I’m surprised no one chose a changemaker that changed things for the worst. People like John Wilkes Booth who assassinated President Lincoln, the KKK, George Wallace etc. Controversial changemakers who necessarily didn’t change things for the better. There are also others that made change but didn’t succeed. People like John Brown who believed slavery was a sin that must be eradicated. Cesar Chavez who fought for farmworkers. They might have not succeeded but they definitely had an impact on society. I really loved the changemakers that were picked. I think it’s important to recognize all they have done for all of us. Putting their lives on the line for a better future. America has been through the ringer, but it’s still kicking, standing strong and taking names!

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