Public Writing — Activism Beyond the Classroom

No ICE, No Fear

On the evening of October 23, along with dozens of other students and staff at the University of Pennsylvania, I attended a protest to shut down a speaking engagement with the director of ICE, Thomas Homan at the Perry World House. As an undocumented immigrant, Penn alum, and Associate Director of La Casa Latina, I felt deep hurt and anger that my alma mater and employer was providing a huge platform to someone who has been responsible for separating millions of families and violating fundamental human rights.

Community EngagementKrystal StrongJanuary 27, 2020Kareli Lizárraga

Philadelphia Youth Climate Strike

The Philadelphia Youth Climate Strike on December 6th, 2019.

Community EngagementActivism beyond the ClassroomDecember 21, 2019Kareena Pamani

Understanding Community Organizing Through Farming

Earlier in the semester I organized a volunteer group from Penn to go help out at Urban Tree Connection in West Philadelphia. Urban Tree Connection is a non-profit that creates locally produced food made for and by the people of the Haddington neighborhood community.

Community EngagementKrystal StrongDecember 18, 2019Maya Robnett

The Ray of Hope Walk & My Community

In this post Penelope shares her experience as an organizer for The Ray of Hope Walk to End Violence Against Women and discusses how these experiences connect to the some of the course content.

Community EngagementActivism beyond the ClassroomDecember 18, 2019Penelope Ramirez

Community Event: Gentrification in Austin & West Philadelphia

I heard about this event at the Walnut Street West Public Library on Facebook. To me, “gentrification” had become such an abstracted buzzword, and while I associated it with rising housing costs and displacement, I was otherwise unfamiliar with its mechanics, possible solutions, and the lived experiences of this city. I saw the event as an opportunity to deepen my superficial knowledge about gentrification.

Community EngagementActivism beyond the ClassroomDecember 18, 2019Jessica Ch'ng

Learning How to Protest, or Maybe Not

This is not a blog post where I tell a story about my journey of transformation. Instead, this post details how I tried—and failed—to engage in civil disobedience, and how this failure has begun to help me figure out what kind of activism beyond the classroom most inspires me, instead.

Community EngagementActivism beyond the ClassroomDecember 17, 2019Marissa Friedman

I'm Scared I'm Definitely a Lesbian

Killjoy’s Kastle is a feminist haunted house that merges performance and installation art for an immersive experience that explores themes of feminist theory, lesbianism, queer activism, and more. In groups of 6-8, visitors are welcomed to the haunted house by a tour guide/performer, playing the role of a renowned “demented” women’s studies professor. The tour brings visitors through the space, engaging in both an artistic critique and analysis of feminist themes, as well as an active engagement in social justice praxis.

Community EngagementActivism beyond the ClassroomDecember 13, 2019Jax Lastinger

Redefining Vulnerability

When you have the courage to be vulnerable, you can inspire vulnerability in others. It’s important to recognize, however, the full definition of vulnerability- both the beautiful parts and the parts that leave you feeling broken. Although these moments of weakness are sometimes hard to acknowledge, they are essential for healing and growing.

Community EngagementActivism beyond the ClassroomDecember 12, 2019Sanah Jivani

Why Can’t We Be friends: Working on a Philly Park Friend Group

Getting involved with a local park’s Friends group has been fruitful and challenging. What politics of belonging exist in certain types of spaces of community engagement? How can we build change while accommodating a different, non-colonial vision of time? What is reasonable to require of people? How can joy be kept in this work?

Community EngagementActivism beyond the ClassroomDecember 11, 2019Caroline van ZeijtsComment