New Haven Independent

Posted by: N'Zinga S. Shani | October 2, 2008 10:26 PM

Thanks to the New Haven Independent and Melinda Tuhus for profiling the work of our recent Youth Forum; the students were remarkable. I also wish to thank the principals, teachers and parents and volunteers who helped us to make this forum possible. A special thanks to my co-host, Leah Carter for her work, and for her cooperation and support. Leah crafted the questions we used in the program; she is also one of our brilliant and truly remarkable young women. Leah recently graduated from Dartmouth, and plans to attend law school.

OneWorld takes great pride in, and works hard to present positive profiles of various aspects of our community. Too often we hear about the wayward & troubled teens; however, there are also brilliant, well-informed and focused teens in every community. We the community, and in particular the media, need to pay attention to all of our teens. We are delighted to showcase nine of these remarkable young people in our forum.
* Tearron is an 18 year-old African-American from Ansonia; he thinks schools need to pay greater attention to the learning needs of all students.
*Brandon is a 15 year-old from Hamden; his family are from Grenda where his uncle is the Prime Minister; Brandon is concerned about how some minority students get access to honors classes.
* Jason Kim's family is from So. Korea. *Justin Gee's family is from Haiti. *Shabnam is from Iran. *Shamsi is from Bangladesh. *Faraz is from Pakistan. *Julie & Zach are Caucasian-Americans, and Iryna is from the Ukraine.

I comment on this because they are all students in our high schools. They represent the future America; their perspectives matter. We at OneWorld want to engage such students; we also think it is important that the broader community and our education system take notice of what they have to say. They want to be challenged and be positively involved in their communities. They do not want to be, nor will they stay, on the sidelines. They are going to CHANGE America for the better. Each of these students will go on to making a positive difference in what America becomes over the next 20-30 years.
We invite teens who wish to be involved in our uplifting efforts to contact us by visiting our web site at: www.oneworldpi.org.

Posted by: Faraz Sabir | October 2, 2008 10:54 PM

A very productive experience that united youth from all over the state to speak on the topics of politics and the economy.

Posted by: Yolette Bryant | October 4, 2008 1:10 PM

2. This is great! A group of multicultural students talking about politics and the economy. Look what is possible when we challenge students and give them appropriate outlets. Bravo to N'Zinga Shani and her OneWorld organization; keep it up. Thank you.

Posted by: Lisette Bernier-McGowan | October 5, 2008 4:34 PM

Thank you N'Zinga Shani for using 21st Century Conversations as a medium for open discussion among young students in the Greater New Haven area. At a time when the degree of disengagement of the nation's youth from politics and civic life has become a major concern,you have created a space from where young voices can be heard across the State of Connecticut, belying the incorrect notion that students lack the interest and the motivation for leadership and civic engagement. There is no doubt that in-classroom activities that include discussion of current events and civic responsibility do help hone the skills that are vital to the development of leadership and creative and responsible citizenship. Yet, nothing can be as effective as providing our youth with authentic, "beyond the classroom walls" real-life opportunities to define and use their own voices, and hear and consider the voices of others.

As moderators, Shani and Leah Carter, created a friendly and informal climate where the young panelists could comfortably expose their ideas without being hindered by any pressure to be politically correct. Throughout the program, the young group of students who formed the panel demonstrated a strong understanding of reciprocal exchange and appeared to be enjoying the dialogue in full appreciation and respect for each others' (sometimes differing) ideas and beliefs. Ms. Shani's counterpoint to the notion that change needs to be gradual and that the Country is not prepared for drastic social transformations was presented skillfully. The teachable moment was seized without hesitation - with a message that carried with it the gentle, but powerful strength of history, experience and personal conviction.

Bravo! All the students were excellent! They were both inspiring and refreshing. This is a Conversation that 21st Century must continue. Bring the students back!

Posted by: Patricia Nicolari | October 6, 2008 3:30 PM

The 90 minute presentation was such a positive experience to view. While the students are from various backgrounds, the common ground is what was evident: Issues that concern teens. Looking forward to more programs that impact teens lives.

Posted by: Ronald Stancil, Sr. | October 7, 2008 3:38 PM

West Haven High School enjoys the representation of three student representatives on our Board of Education. Shamsi Aysha and Faraz Sabir are our current senior representatives. We are currently seeking our third member from the Junior class.

Our student reps bring the students perspective to our Board of Education meetings. When I was asked to have two representatives from West Haven High School on the show, I immediately thought of Shamsi and Faraz.

The students reported back to me that they really enjoyed the experience of being involved with this program.

Posted by: Ewa Florkiewicz | October 8, 2008 2:38 PM

I am happy to learn that students from many cultural backgrounds had an opportunity to participate and express their views in this program. They are our future and although they do not have the right to vote in this election, they have knowledge of issues that affect our country and the world. Thank you for presenting this positive aspect of our young population. It was very inspirational. I am optimistic that with help of those young minds we will be able to go forward and overcome the difficulties that we are encountering at present time.

Posted by: joann phillips | October 8, 2008 11:44 PM

GREETINGS FOLKS,
GLAD TO SEE YOUNG ADULTS EXPRESSING THEIR VIEW ABOUT THE NEW WORLD WE LIVE IN. YES, WERE FACING SOME HARD TIMES. THE THING NOT TO DO IS STRESS,NOT TO GIVE UP.WHAT WE ALL SHOULD DO IS PRAY, PRAY FOR DELIVERANCE. GOD WILL BRING US THROUGH. THINGS WILL GET BETTER. HEY FAMILY!

Posted by: Andrew Grant-Thomas | October 9, 2008 5:47 PM

Congratulations on what seems to have been an excellent forum. We need more of them.

It is a cliche to note that "young people are our future." This truism takes on special resonance at the present moment precisely because, as suggested by this forum, the faces of those 18 and younger in this country are so different than those of their parents and grandparents.

Consider this: whereas "people of color" comprise roughly one-third of the population overall, they are almost one-half of the public school population. With that in mind, I echo Ms. Shani in urging them, and all of us, not to assume that change we would otherwise welcome ought nonetheless to be, or necessarily must be, gradual. That is an ideological stance, one typically pushed by those with an interest in maintaining the status quo.

A related point: partisan considerations aside, there are good reasons to agree that Obama better represents the future than Obama -- he's younger, more "hip," more technologically savvy... He arguably embodies the multicultural and multiracial future toward which we are racing. But while we should wish a President Obama well, should he indeed become president, it is vitally important that we don't look exclusively to him to shoulder our collective challenges and aspirations. WE must be the leaders we are looking for. You want to help Mexico; promote diversity, compassion, open-mindedness, national togetherness; fix the economy, reverse global warming, change America for the better? No matter our ages, these are not tasks best left to others. It's on YOU. And on ME. And on Ms. Shani. And on each and every one of us that claims these values and aspirations. YOU must become the leader you've been looking for. Today, when so many young people have left their parents behind in their technological sophistication and cosmopolitaism, "youth" alone no longer serves as an excuse to do nothing.

Good luck to us all!

Andrew Grant-Thomas
Deputy Director
Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity
The Ohio State University

Posted by: j.figueroa | October 14, 2008 11:05 AM

I have no idea how Ms. Shani went about getting students from five different towns to participate in her youth forum; it must have taken some doing, but what a remarkable outcome! This group of students should be a wake-up call to all those who refuse to accept the fact that the face of the USA is changing; these students are the future!

Posted by: lavonne b | October 14, 2008 11:13 AM

Thanks to all of the people at OneWorld, Inc. and to all of the high schools that cooperated in making this program possible. I hope that there are many in CT helping OneWorld Progressive Institute to present these programs. It is very helpful to read the reports of the remarkable programs being done by this little organization. I also enjoy the new web site; it is filled with great information and wonderful music. Thanks to Ms. Shani and her volunteers. I look forward to hearing more from these students.

Posted by: Lisa Rao | October 14, 2008 5:05 PM

How wonderful that 21st Century Conversations has afforded so many intelligent and insightful students, young men and women, to share their ideas and perspectives on the pressing issues facing all citizens in the U.S. So often, there is no venue for young persons to express themselves and learn from others, well beyond the circles of immediate family & friends and their school community. Ms. Shani, congratulations on a job well done.

Posted by: Shari L | October 15, 2008 7:21 AM

A big thank you to OneWorld Progressive Institute for presenting this program. As a teacher I think it is very beneficial to profile thoughtful and informed students talking about their issues of concern; this serves as an incentive to other students. OneWorld is making a significant contribution to the community.

Posted by: Stefanie Chambers | October 15, 2008 10:51 PM

What a wonderful opportunity to allow young people express and discuss their political views. These forums encourage political participation and have the potential to increase long-term political efficacy. N'Zinga and OneWorld are engaged in outstanding projects in our Connecticut communities.

Posted by: Shayla Nunnally | October 17, 2008 5:11 AM

Congratulations to N'Zinga Shani and OneWorld Progressive Institute, Inc. on producing a much-needed show displaying the voices of our youth! When I was a youth, I recall admiring teens who met weekly on BET's "Teen Summit" to discuss social, political, and economic issues that affected teens. Gone are the days of this show. But, truly, a show like this one, engaging youth in substantive discussions about contemporary issues, fills a terrible void in our public discourse. People under 18 do not have access to voting to express their ideas and influence our political system. However, shows like this one help us to see that our youth are aware of the issues that affect them and our broader communities and that they have a voice that should be heard! The more we engage our youth in discussions like these, the more we learn about their generation's vantage point. Too often we dismiss the power that young people possess to create change. Youth were integral to the change created during the modern civil rights movement. In the spirit of empowering youth to be productive leaders, with inspiration and a forum for expression, we can help propel our youth forward to becoming better leaders and participants in democracy. Thank you, N'Zinga Shani and OneWorld Progressive Institute, Inc., for contributing to this process of youth incorporation, enlightenment, and expression!

Posted by: Stephanie Robinson | October 18, 2008 8:10 PM

Bravo! This is the kind of conversation that we need much more of these days. We need to have our young people engaged and respected. We need to do these type of exchanges at the local level and often. For our democracy to work this is what it will take. I so appreciate N'Zinga for her vision and commitment.

Posted by: Ron Williams | October 19, 2008 9:30 PM

This was a wonderful conversation. Too often, we complain that the youth are disaffected and unaware. This conversation shows the opposite. There are so few opportunities for these voices to be heard. Considering that so many of the solutions to our current problems seemed to be placed at the feet and on the backs of our youth, they need more opportunities such as this to engage the problems of our day. Programs of this kind that allow for a multiplicity of voices to be heard need to be fostered and funded. We all benefit from that. Thanks to OneWorld, Inc.

Posted by: Mr. McHale | October 19, 2008 10:03 PM

Many thanks to the NH Independent for providing coverage of these seemingly astutely informed students engaging within forums such as this.
This 'apolitical weighing in' may be considered addressed to (a)the well established, multi-generational Americans, (b)our newest Americans and (c)all those in between as well (i.e.everybody):
Families who 'vote with their feet' by moving to America lend an impact-filled living testimony to the greatness of the democratic principals of this fertile & expansive land of ours whose aforementioned attributes, no doubt, may very well have contributed to the attraction of coming here in the first place.
Fortunately, the U.S. of A. in 2008 remains a place where freedom of speech allows us all to feel free to discourse and speak our minds in a spirited way concerning the relevant events of our day without concern for retribution.
Broadly speaking, this would include the entire gamut: from the politically correct on out across the whole spectrum of opinions and back again; all to be afforded respectful and mature (hopefully) consideration.
Suffice to say, a well informed citizenry (young & old alike) where no one feels disenfranchised, holds the best promise and potential for perpetuating the finest attributes of our unique democracy both now and in the years to come.
May it always so exist.
May it always be so civil.
May God continue to bless America.

Posted by: Wendy Conway | October 20, 2008 8:02 AM

So glad to hear about this - a reminder of the necessity of conversation and the vibrant gifts it brings to our society. I'd like to thank the students for sharing their experiences and thoughts - with each other and with the public - and N'Zinga
Shani for organizing the forum with the dream of "One World" at heart. To continued conversations

Posted by: Esther Duncan | October 20, 2008 1:49 PM

As a parent and as a teacher it gives me great joy to read this article about the recent OneWorld youth forum. I am truly pleased that the New Haven Independent Online exists and that the editors bring us these wonderful stories. This is the kind of story that should be widely reported. At a time when the regular media bombards us with all of the negative things that are happening to our young people, OneWorld Progressive Institute, N'Zinga Shani, and the NH Independent give us hopeful glimpses into the positive side.Please keep doing this; you are providing a wonderful service to the entire community.
A hopeful parent and teacher.

Posted by: Shamsi Aysha | October 21, 2008 7:30 PM

This was a wonderful experience. It was so refreshing to hear from other students my age express their views and concerns about the world.

I would like to thank Ms. Shani and all the people of OneWorld, Inc who enabled me to be a part of this enriching program.

Posted by: Iryna Mohylnytska | October 21, 2008 8:53 PM

Thank you Ms.Shani and everybody at OneWorld, Inc. for a great opportunity to meet other young people my age that have common concerns about the world.

It was a great experience. I hope that in the future more young people can experience being on a Youth Forum like this one, gain knowledge and be able to express their opinions on important topics to the public.

Posted by: Karen Greene | October 22, 2008 4:44 PM

Indeed we need to see more of this open dialogue among our youths as it was said before and I'll reiterate, our children are our future and their voices need to be heard. It is becoming more an more apparent that young people are getting involved in today's issues and it's forums like this that provides the outlet. Kudos to N'Zinga and the OneWorld team for allowing them the opportunity.

Posted by: Justin Gee | October 25, 2008 8:48 PM

Thanks for the chance to be featured on the program. It was a very informative experience, being able to discuss today's pressing issues in such a historical time. It was a pleasure to able to express my views as a youth.

Posted by: Brandon ferguson | October 26, 2008 9:22 PM

This was a wonderful opportunity for me to discuss important issues with such educated and talented students. The program clearly shows that this generation is not lost after all. I am very grateful to Ms. Shani and everyone at OneWorld.

Posted by: Julie Buonasora | October 27, 2008 12:21 AM

I very much enjoyed being a part of this production. The experience gave me a wonderful opportunity to discuss current events with other students my age, something I would not have been able to do had I not been part of this program. It was very interesting to hear their opinions and ideas about the issues and events in our nation. A thank you to Ms. Shani and everyone at OneWorld Inc. for such a wonderful experience.