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[thebardcce]

Bardians interested in the climate change movement? Join us at The Walkway Over The Hudson THIS FRIDAY AT 1PM where students, specialists and community members will come together to mobilize against climate change!

We need meaningful action at the Climate Summit in Paris, a UN conference full of world leaders, where many countries will pledge to energy and pollution sanctions. We join together to urge these leaders to decrease their reliance on fossil fuels, to invest in renewable energy and to stay accountable to the promises they've made. 

This is one of the last chances we have to make our opinions known, please stand up for our future!

SIGN UP HERE TO GET A SPOT ON THE BUS: http://goo.gl/forms/ajJbrJbFcc

JOIN THE FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/551585358326647/

[thebardcce]

Community Action award Winner: Jared Rabinowitz

In every office I’ve worked in, someone has inevitably recognized my transitory status as an intern and asked the daunting question: “So what do you want to do with your life?”  By now, I’ve had some time to polish my answer—I would like to go to graduate school in international relations and eventually teach.  I can handle the question about my long-term goals.  However, I encounter real trouble when someone poses the short-term version of the question: “So what’s next?”

By now, I’ve had some time to polish my answer—I would like to go to graduate school in international relations and eventually teach.

In less than a year, I’m going to shake President Botstein’s hand, accept my diploma, and then leap off into my ‘adult’ life.  Quite frankly, I’m terrified of ‘what’s next’ because I have no idea—and every day forward is another closer to taking that leap of faith.  I rationally know that, wherever I land, the first steps of my post-college career will not determine the path I’m on for the rest of my life, but at least part of me wants to feel like I’m making progress.

The other day I was giving a tour of the Capitol to a father and daughter from my hometown.  As we were nearing the end of the tour, the father asked me: “Do you want to be a Congressman?”  I explained that it isn’t a role I envision myself in, and proceeded to give my canned response about my long-term future.  At the end of my explanation, he seemed confused: “Well then, what brings you to the House of Representatives?”  In that moment, I could have told him that I wanted to keep several potential paths open for when I graduate from college, or that I wanted to know more about the day-to-day functioning of the political center of the federal government.  Either of these answers would have sufficed, but instead I uttered, “Life experience.”

I’ve given some more thought to my answer since, and I stand by it.  I don’t know what’s coming next, and a major part of this experience has involved exploring the potential ‘next step’ after Bard.  But another part of it has been accepting that maybe this internship and the potential line of work it represents won’t necessarily make distinct progress on my ideal career path—and I can not only accept that fact, I can embrace it.  As much as believing I am on a certain trajectory might make me feel better now, my future's not set in stone.  My goals are fluid.  I am 21 years old, and I cannot expect myself to really know how I want to spend the rest of my life.  So while at this point I may not want to wind up on Capitol Hill, I’ve had an invaluable experience that will inevitably factor into the decisions I make, the opinions I hold, and the way I view the world.

But another part of it has been accepting that maybe this internship and the potential line of work it represents won’t necessarily make distinct progress on my ideal career path—and I can not only accept that fact, I can embrace it.

So as of now, I am as confused as I’ve ever been about my future.  But if and when I find myself in a position off the path I’ve set forth, I can appreciate it for what it is—life experience.

[thebardcce]

Community Action Award Winner: Frankie Witzenberg

I put my internship with Historic Red Hook on hold for the month of July, though I will be returning to them come the first of August. I did so in order to make time in my summer schedule to join archeology field school in Germantown with Professor Linder. Though these two obligations may take place in different towns of the Hudson Valley, their connections have been quite apparent. The site I have been digging at for the past few weeks is of the same time period as the houses I was working with in Red Hook. The house that still stands where we dig was built in 1760, and we continue to work with the hopes of uncovering the foundations of an older stone home on the same property, likely built in the earlier 1700’s, closer to when the area would have been settled by the Palantines of present day Germany.          

I hadn’t realized it at first, but of the 900 families currently residing in Germantown, a good portion of them can trace their lineage back all the way to some of the very first families to have settled the area. In my research with Historic Red Hook, I had noticed quite a similar trend with some of the old names that still move around the town today. Having come from a suburb of Washington, D.C. myself, I had never quite understood the historically founded pride that comes along with many small towns, though my work in Germantown has allowed this to become clearer. The British brought in the people who settled the area in the early 1700’s. Tricked into forced labor, the Palantines were made to harvest pinewood to melt in order create tar, a primary ingredient in the waterproofing of British warships at the time. Though they were told that they would be compensated for their labor, the British found ways to circumvent these promises, sending them barrels filled half with salt and half with rotting food, or sending them nothing at all.          

The house we’re working with was, for much of its early life, home to the town’s minister. Though there are little-to-no records of the financial status of the home’s earlier inhabitants, pieces of fine China and other high end items have been found on the grounds of the site, in the layer of soil that was once the topsoil during the 1700’s. We have determined that the people living in this home were people of a high social status; acquiring these items as gifts from the townspeople they served. The minister’s wife likely practiced herbal medicines, and the minister himself offered counsel to the original settlers of Germantown. The house was, for quite some time, one of the social centers of Germantown and it is unsurprising that they were awarded gifts of many different varieties as a thanks for their services.         

The home eventually fell under the ownership of more ordinary citizens, unaffiliated with the running of the churches of Germantown. This is when the site became more than just a hunt for foundations of a long lost home. The early Palantine settlers were not slave owners upon their arrival to the Hudson Valley, though this changed a few generations after their original settlement. There are traces of the slaves once owned by later residents of the home still etched onto architectural features of the home, and items have been found underneath the floors to suggest the same thing. Many people I have spoken with were shocked to hear that slaves had once lived in the Hudson valley, and I think that many people have voluntarily forgotten that yes, even the North took part in one of the most gruesome, violent institutions to have ever been implemented. Not only does this site reaffirm a powerful collective history of the struggles of the Palantine Settler, it serves as a much-needed reminder of how this country, this county, and the towns we know so well were brought into existence.     

[thebardcce]

Community Action Award Winner: Faye Forman

As I reflect upon my experience interning at Hope 4 Immigrants Coalition of Long Island, INC., mixed thoughts and feelings come to mind: working with a start up nonprofit whose operations depend completely on volunteer hours and donor funding is both an advantage for our organization and a hardship. The vitality of our immigration center very much depends upon the time commitment of our 5 person volunteer staff and dedicated Executive Director, who opened the doors to H4I in February 2015. Our status as a start up means that all staff members contribute to tasks regardless of office hierarchy in order for our center to run accordingly, and because of that my duties vary on a daily basis. It is because of this dynamic that I've learned a variety of skills that might be otherwise inaccessible within a fully established organization. For example, I teach English to our Ecuadorian secretary, and she teaches me Spanish; I work alongside our paralegal to become familiarized with filling out USCIS forums; I work with our attorney to learn immigration as a bureaucratic process, this work is centered on distinguishing which clients we can help and those we can't; I'm an overall assistant to our Executive Director and maintain communication with our clients.

It is because of this dynamic that I've learned a variety of skills that might be otherwise inaccessible within a fully established organization.

I feel my experience this summer is unique mainly because the immigration center is still establishing itself and becoming familiarized with our surrounding community. I often think about how my role within H4I may have differed if the center was fully established, with years of experience and salaried employees watching over me for 8 hours a day. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be part of the work that helps this organization grow. This internship requires that I be adaptable and prepared to think on my feet to interact with people from all walks of life and manage the growing pains of center to the best of my ability.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to be part of the work that helps this organization grow. The fact that the immigration center is in its infancy, with a select group of volunteers limited in time has posed a problem for the daily function of the center. On some days I find myself alone in the office for a few hours at a time, relying on Google Translate to decode client's questions and requests. I feel embarrassed that I'm not fluent in Spanish because it cuts me off from connecting with the community, I can tell some clients don't take me seriously and it's a huge frustration. Something I have found though, is that whether I rely on a translating service or attempt my own piecemeal Spanish, the effort to speak Spanish is what's appreciated. I'm sure my experience will continue to be complex and as I work through August, and up until my trip to Ecuador. I look forward to being immersed in Spanish and talking to Ecuadorians about how they feel about their country, the U.S., and what they believe is a key issue that drives people to emigrate. As I go forward in my final year at Bard with this internship under my belt, I think about how this experience will impact my future in the field of immigration.

[thebardcce]

Community Action Award Winner: Jessica Chappe

Working with Basilica I've gained connections, social media expertise through event listings, research, event planning skills, how to work within a collective, and learned how to be a representative for a non-profit. I've also been the main connection between Bard College and Basilica. Since the beginning, I've felt my work and effort was needed across the board at Basilica. The most enjoyable part for me are the people I have met and the events themselves. Since the last blog post, I've worked a Random House "Off the Page" event, film screenings, a Basilica stand at the Hudson River Exchange, and worked as a gallery representative for the Jack Walls show. The film screenings have grown and become more successful weekly. We've had several directors/producers/programmers come and give Q&A’s after each screening. Last Thursday, we featured Wildness, a film commenting on the creativity and conflict that arose around a transgender immigrant women’s community set in a bar in Los Angeles called the Silver Platter. Wu Tsang, the director and cowriter came and spoke afterwards. The week before, we screened Inside Bedford-Stuyvesant Program, which was the first African American-produced TV series in the US, which ran weekly between 1968-1970. It was aired to combat images of black neighborhoods as presented in the mainstream news. We had a Q&A with the producer Charles Hobson and programmer Jake Perlin afterwards. For both screenings, the Basilica space created uniquely dynamic and intimate discussions during the Q&A. I gained more knowledge about the topics and was inspired through both stylistic executions. I wouldn't have been exposed to either of these films if it weren't for Basilica.

It was aired to combat images of black neighborhoods as presented in the mainstream news. Jack Walls’ art opening was also a learning experience. It was a mixture of art, film, and poetry. Jack Walls is a painter who grew up in Chicago and moved to New York City 1981 where he met Robert Mapplethorpe and was his companion and muse until he died in 1989. The film was about Robert’s life through the eyes of Jack. Jack moved to Hudson in November and has been painting daily working up to his art opening. At the gallery this past weekend I had the pleasure to be in the company of Jack Walls for the majority of the time. I learned about his life growing up and his relationship with Robert. Robert Mapplethorpe is one of my inspirations in photography so that was special for me. I plan to continue working with them throughout the year and getting more Bard students involved and planning future events. The opportunities that Basilica has given me have been rewarding and I feel proud to be a representative for this inspiring and worthy nonprofit.

[thebardcce]

Community Action Award Winner: Maya Sommer

           It has been almost a week since leaving New Orleans, and in this time I have had chances to reflect on my 5 weeks living and volunteering there. Going into my first day or working at the Early Explorers Camp at the Andrew Wilson Charter School, I didn’t know what to expect. By the end of the first couple of days, I began to feel comfortable with the structure, rules, and my specific role. I loved getting to know the kids, ages 4 through 6, and by the end, I was very sad to say goodbye to many of them.  

           I was able to walk away from this experience knowing that I helped kids learn letters, numbers, colors, and skills like cutting with scissors or solving a puzzle. I felt that I made a positive influence on how they interact with one another (using kind language, asking a teacher for help when there was a disagreement, gentle touching, and only when the other child wants to be touched). These are small but very important parts of growing up, and I’m happy that I was able to be a part of all types of their learning this summer.

           The more time I spend with kids, the more I am able to trust my instincts, which is a great feeling. It is easier to navigate the balance between friend and authority figure after this experience. It can sometimes be hard to say no to a kid, especially when you respect and like them, but with the Early Explorers kids, I was able to say no when it was appropriate. I learned more about positive language (“Use walking feet please” instead of “No running”), which is a much better way to speak to children. Unfortunately, it does not come naturally because we are so used to using negative words when disciplining kids, so it took a very conscious effort to make myself use positive language.

           The last week of our volunteer work occurred when the camp was already over. We continued to work at the school and in the community (calling parents about information on the coming school year, organizing papers, canvassing,  and organizing the library books. We also spoke to the incoming New Orleans POSSE kids about Bard and answered questions, as well as speaking to high school kids about the process of applying to college and what college life is like. My experiences in New Orleans were important and educational; I am very grateful for having the opportunity to be a part of the Bard New Orleans Exchange!

[thebardcce]

Community Action Award Winner: Lee Cummings

Hello, Everyone! My name is Lee Cummings, I’m from Newtown Connecticut, and I will be a sophomore next year at Bard. Right now my plan is to moderate into the Asian Studies Department with a concentration in Global and International Studies.

This summer, my internship is at the Japan Society in New York City.  I work with a small team in their Education Department. The Japan Society is an American non-profit organization supported by individuals, foundations and corporations that brings the people of Japan and the United States closer together through mutual understanding, appreciation and cooperation. Today, Japan Society has evolved into a world-class, multidisciplinary hub for global leaders, artists, scholars, educators, and English and Japanese-speaking audiences. At the Society, more than 100 events each year feature sophisticated, topically relevant presentations of Japanese art and culture as well as open, critical dialogue on issues of vital importance to the U.S., Japan and East Asia. The Education Department works to spark an interest within individuals through a mix of family programs, school and educators study abroad programs, and language opportunities for those interested in learning Japanese.

While I was in high school, through the Japan Society, I was chosen to spend a month in Japan as one of the first group of Americans in their Junior Fellows Program.  This amazing experience helped me figure out what I wanted to do in college and as a career. Now, I am able to help both the latest group of American and Japanese high school students in the program this summer while I am interning in the Education Department.   I will also be involved in creating a celebration for the Tanabata Festival in July at the Japan Society. Tanabata is celebrated to commemorate the romantic story of two lovers represented by the stars Vega and Altair who are only allowed to meet each other once a year as long as the skies are clear. It is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, which is July 7th in the modern calendar. On Tanabata, people write wishes on small pieces of colored paper called tanazuku and hang them on bamboo trees. These become beautiful wish trees. On the following day, the decorated trees are floated on a river or in the ocean and burned as an offering.

After this internship is over, I will have improved my ability to speak Japanese and also taken a leadership role guiding students in appreciating Japanese culture and building better communication and bonds with each other.  I will also have gained experience in the business world and understanding the way US and Japanese relations affect the way business is conducted.  

[thebardcce]

Community Action Award Winner: Ruadhan Ward

Hello! My name is Ruadhan Ward and I am a rising senior at Bard. I am an ethnomusicology and religion major. What is ethnomusicology you ask? To put it simply, it’s the study of any music that isn’t classical, and how humans create this music. I use fieldwork methods similar to those used in anthropology to study anything from gamelan in Bali, to polka in my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. And that’s where I am this summer! 

One of the reasons that makes Milwaukee special is my internship site, 91.7 WMSE Radio. It is the last free form radio station in Milwaukee, and one of the last free form stations in the country. This means that all of the DJs are playing the music they want to play with no requirements. There is always a DJ in the station, 24/7. This means that the station is tailored to what the community wants. There are blues shows, jazz shows, punk shows -whatever people want. WMSE also focuses on playing local music. There really isn't another good way for local musicians to promote themselves, so WMSE offers the community a way to connect to the music being played in the city.

Radio is a huge passion of mine, and I am considering working with an independent radio station once I graduate. I’m hoping to learn the ins and outs of running a small, local radio station while I'm here. I have my own world music show, which is helping teach me about the technical side of things. (Tune in at wmse.org Monday mornings, at 9am CST!) I have also been helping reach out to labels to get new music into the station, learning how underwriting works, and helping prepare for some of the big summer events. There are so many local businesses that support the radio station, and in turn, the station supports them and the local economy.

WMSE is run by a staff of 5 people, and everyone else is a volunteer - even the DJs! Most everything they do is supported by the fundraising of the community and it's amazing to see how it really takes everyone chipping in for the station to be successful. It is so inspiring as a music major and music lover to see a large group of people champion a creative endeavor.

I feel that music is one of the most important things in life. It connects humanity, and the sharing of music is a uniting factor for a community. Having stations that are community-powered and for the people are extremely important in building a healthy, creative city, and I am excited to be working at WMSE this summer!