Submerged in Activism

I began my first day as a City Year Rep. today. It was very long. Like any leadership based organization, we began the day with name games and team building. I've done it all before. It's always fun. I find myself amongst a lot of very strong leaders - I enjoy that.

The most powerful part of my day came unexpected, however. Around noon found myself walking to lunch with one of the City Year Directors, Christian. Very cool guy. I believe we were walking up Massachusetts avenue when I noticed a huge bulding called Tent City. Christian had been explaining to me the history of development in this particular part of the city. Interesting, but I didn't see the importance other than making conversation. However, when we approached Tent City, Christian stopped. He explained that due to the increasing development, poor citizens were being forced out of there homes. Where this particular building was, Christian explained that it was formerly a park for the area citizens. An activist, whom I can't name, refused to allow developers move people from their hard earned homes.

He took action. He organized to have over 500 tents set up in the park. All were inhabited. Lead by this man, the people stayed in the tents until the city gave in. In what I imagine was a compromise, the City of Boston built them an apartment complex - Tent City. I was amazed! The tangible result of activism was directly in front of me. All I could let out was, "wow." He probably thought I was a bumbling idiot or uninterested.

Still, as we continued to walk to lunch, he pointed out Dr. Martin Luther King's old residence when he attended Boston University. I was knee deep in the history of great idea's put into action by indefatigable idealism. Together, they brought about results - real change.

That in and of itself made for a great day. Not to mention that my fellow new comers and the team leaders were very nice and helpful. Tomorrow (or shall I say today), we get to do a lot more than boring paper work and tortorous "webinars." I will be taking my first trip to a Boston City School. I'll keep everyone posted!