Service learning was a new concept I hadn’t heard about before. Early on in this class, Ms. Adrienne said we’d be doing a hip hop showcase project, which definitely terrified me. Little white girls don’t talk about hip hop, even though I’m from Richmond and love Tupac, that kind of thing isn’t to be discussed, let alone in an English class in Oakland. But in my heart, I said I can do whatever she throws at us, I am completing this English class once and for all. And then we went to the museum and I cried like a baby while we experienced the Black Panther Party through different exhibits. I learned that the Black Panthers started in Oakland, and that they weren’t as militant as depicted, but focused on bettering the community. This changed my thoughts about what community truly is. Overtime, I noticed how much Ms. Adrienne loved us discussing each other’s work and thoughts. The classroom quickly became a community. I’ve never experienced something like this before. When you’re in college, you sit in a seat, in a row, and face the teacher. Get ready for a long lecture and study for tests. Pray you don’t get called on if the teacher happens to ask a questions. You know, the usual stuff. But we were doing group work and talking to each other frequently. It wasn’t terrifying to speak in front of the class anymore, because we were one whole unit. We backed each other and became friends. I looked forward to seeing everyone and hearing their ideas too. When someone was absent, you noticed because you cared about seeing them that day. I have never felt that way in another class. It has always been, take care of your own work and turn it in on time. Now it felt like we were part of something much bigger. And the hip hop showcase gave us a focal point.
This was my fourth attempt at completing English 1A, and I'm so full of emotion. I'm happy and proud for this moment of crossing a seemingly impossible finish line. I'm so glad those other classes were boring and didn't work out, because this semester I met amazing people and had the best learning experience of my life! I also feel empowered, because I have new learning tools I didn't have before (service learning was non-existent before this class.) And lastly, I feel hopeful and dedicated with a sense of responsibility to improve my community and bring positive change wherever I go. Thank you Ms. Adrienne for challenging us and helping us truly grow. :)
This was my fourth attempt at completing English 1A, and I'm so full of emotion. I'm happy and proud for this moment of crossing a seemingly impossible finish line. I'm so glad those other classes were boring and didn't work out, because this semester I met amazing people and had the best learning experience of my life! I also feel empowered, because I have new learning tools I didn't have before (service learning was non-existent before this class.) And lastly, I feel hopeful and dedicated with a sense of responsibility to improve my community and bring positive change wherever I go. Thank you Ms. Adrienne for challenging us and helping us truly grow. :)
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