Last week, Generation Citizen hosted Civics Days in our four program sites: NYC, Boston, Rhode Island and the Bay Area. Staff, judges, and elected officials were incredibly impressed by the passion, research and action exhibited by Generation Citizen students across the country as they presented on issues ranging from standardized testing to cleaing up parks… Continue reading Our Mandela Moment
Author: 3lane
A Local Perspective on Mandela
Nelson Mandela’s death has provoked a myriad of analysis in publications throughout the western world. What does his death mean? Was Mandela a radical or a pragmatist? Was he too admired or not admired enough? Was he the greatest hero of this generation or a deeply flawed family member? Some of these are necessary, and… Continue reading A Local Perspective on Mandela
Stop Analyzing Millenials
On the front page of Sunday’s Weekend Review section, the New York Times ran an op-ed arguing that millenials (loosely defined as the generation of young people born after 1980) are actually not narcissistic, as the prevailing wisdom indicates, but rather, are more worried about happiness and meaning than chasing money. To make their point,… Continue reading Stop Analyzing Millenials
1963-2013: The Wound Endures, and the Healing Continues
Below, Al Kurland of the Police Athletic League reflects on the lessons we can learn from President John F. Kennedy about civic engagement and leadership in our communities. Al generously offered to share his reflections on the Generation Citizen citizen blog after collaborating with NYC Site Director, Sarah Andes, on a gathering to promote participation… Continue reading 1963-2013: The Wound Endures, and the Healing Continues
2012-2013 Annual Report
We are extremely excited to share our Generation Citizen 2012-2013 Annual Report. Click here to download our PDF and read below for an introductory letter from Executive Director, Scott Warren. Dear Friends, It would be a little bit trite to say that Generation Citizen is in the midst of finishing an incredibly busy year. Over… Continue reading 2012-2013 Annual Report
The Podium Moment
Before the school board meeting started, over 30 community members, including 25 students, had signed their names on a list for public commentary. On the school board agenda this is called “Right to Be Heard”. These individuals were here to share their thoughts on the Providence Public School District enrollment problems. The district is looking… Continue reading The Podium Moment
Stacking the Building Blocks of Change
Walking into the Mary Lyon Pilot High School on a chilly October morning brought back many familiar—albeit, long forgotten—memories of my own high school experience. The linoleum tiled floors, corridors decorated with students’ work, and characteristic classroom decor featuring maps, posters, inspirational texts, and heavy-duty plastic furniture put me right back in the secondary education… Continue reading Stacking the Building Blocks of Change
“Extending Toward Infinity”
I was originally introduced to Generation Citizen in 2011, when my wife connected me to Scott Warren, GC’s founder and Executive Director. Scott spoke passionately about observing elections in Kenya alongside his father, a US diplomat, and realizing in this experience that active participation is how one gains a zeal for civics. I had been… Continue reading “Extending Toward Infinity”
Just Pass the Damn Ball
One basketball game during my senior year of high school, I was dribbling the ball down the court, leading my team on a fast break. I looked right, looked left, looked right again, and then finally passed. Having taken way too much time to review each option in front of me, I threw the ball… Continue reading Just Pass the Damn Ball
(Creating) The Amazing Race
There are lots of important and drama-filled campaigns underway in NYC, from those of Borough Presidents to District Attorneys. Our mayoral primary race was like watching those contests on the screen at baseball games – one clear front-runner at the beginning, confusion and jockeying for the lead in the middle, and then a surprise breakaway… Continue reading (Creating) The Amazing Race