Changemaker reflection; Aliyah Mensch; Group 1, 11:00 class

    From listening to my class presentation on changemakers, it was very intriguing and fun to learn about. Everyone did an amazing job researching their person from different time periods and I enjoyed watching the interviews and historical videos on the changemakers. I got to do my part by researching a changemaker from the 1900s, and I chose Paul McCartney. He was an inspiration because of his contributions to pop culture in music and speaking about animal cruelty. I chose to do a musician because I personally love music and the band The Beatles. I got to learn some less known things about him for example, he wrote a children's book in 2019 called “Hey Grandude!”. Another person in my group researched on a musician as well. They wrote about Duke Ellington who is famous for being a pianist and I enjoyed hearing about his accomplishments to the world. Some other contributions I acknowledged from the presentations were about women activists, scientists, inventors, presidents, musicians, etc.  

    It was fascinating to see how people have made contributions that we still use today for example, Thomas Edison made the light bulb which we still use in the modern day. The group that presented the 1800s did an incredible job telling us about extraordinary changemakers from that time period. Even though the people of that time did not have the technology of today, the changemakers made huge improvements of the sort. By having the groups camera on, it felt like I was in a literal classroom and boosted my desire to learn about these brilliant individuals that have contributed to the United States of America. A changemaker that stood out to me was Nikola Tesla, I found it so captivating how he experimented with electricity and how in Niagara Falls, his AC electrical system was first used to turn on the power of water into electricity for entire cities. 

    It was a little disappointing to see that my class’s group presenting the 20th century had to take more time to finish their slides. But I am excited to see what changemakers they have chosen and what research I will learn about next. By working in groups, it allows me to engage with my classmates and really just work as a team, while researching on different people of the 1900s. We all learn from each other and are there to help if someone is having technical problems such as finding the shared PowerPoint that we all used to make our changemaker slides. This project was important to me because it is valuable to know about people from the past have made significant impacts on the world and so their legacy still lives on.  

    It is amazing to see how even though some of the changemakers were from hundreds of years ago, we are still capable of learning the history of their accomplishments and identifying what they brought to the world. For example, the founding fathers that wrote the constitution changed how civil rights are viewed and given to everyone. Hearing all the different types of contributions these changemakers brought to America was so enlightening and interesting to become knowledgeable of. From learning about the 1700s, I learned that the constitution was written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and implemented in 1789. This is such a huge contribution to the United States, and I am glad I was reminded the dates of this success for America and its people. Even though this is a virtual class, I am still capable of learning how to present speeches in front of an audience; while also becoming more knowledgeable about history, particularly in this project, and I am so grateful for that.  

    Some of these changemakers had a very difficult life because of the inequality and racism that was accepted during that time. Some African Americans that experienced this would be Rosa Parks, Harriet Jacobs, Harriet Tubman, and Martin Luther King Jr. For example, Harriet Jacobs was born into slavery and experienced severe abuse and oppression from her enslaver but managed to hide in a very small attic for seven years and eventually escaped into the North in 1842. From my classmates discussing these individuals battles and staying resilient towards this brutality, it raised awareness of it and reminded us of how people fought for the freedom we have today and that now there is a just law system that gives equal rights to everyone no matter their race and culture. My classmates gave a thoughtful and detailed speech on these topics, and I think the people they chose to present were excellent changemakers and provided recognition of their actions through these difficult times and shows their legacy.  

    From the fourth groups presentation, I learned a lot from changemakers improving technology, cybersecurity, laws, and education. My classmates also discussed iCED actions that Miami Dade College is providing for students to make a difference in the community and engage in democracy. They also spoke of some example's students can take to accomplish this like making a research paper on civic engagement or volunteering to a cause that can better the community. I learned how being in cybersecurity and technology was improved even in the 2000s and how people like Edward Snowden and Steve Jobs made a contribute to this change. I enjoyed hearing about an educator having a huge impact on children's education like Betsy DeVos, who reduced federal regulation and provided strong advocacy for alternatives for traditional public education. 

    Hearing about the changemakers that enhanced the world for the better, it gave me insight on how everyone's approach was different but contributed in their own unique way that gained them recognition across the globe. Learning from all of these significant improvements people have made was an inspiration to me because seeing other people bring advancements makes me want to make a difference as well. And through this college, I am able to do that through MDC iCED and I can add value to my community just like these changemakers did.