Twelve Statements that begin with I.
I have never been in the military.
I do not want my sons or daughter to be sent to war.
I work with 16 and 17 year olds every day as a teacher.
I see a difference between fighting for freedom and fighting for oil, power, and political clout.
I cherish my freedom and respect and honor those who protect it.
I try to do my part to help create a fair and just society.
I understand that not all Americans are greedy.
I would not be willing to die to force American values on another culture.
I believe that not all elected officials are politicians.
I know that not all appointed officials are fully qualified to speak on my behalf.
I know that the media manipulates truth.
I would be willing to die to protect my children.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Monday, April 11, 2005
Monday, March 07, 2005
Fellow educators, civic leaders, and friends:
Have you heard of 826 Valencia? (www.826valencia.org)
While I am only in the beginning stages of my work as Poet Laureate of York, Pennsylvania, I look at something like 826 Valencia (drop in tutoring, a community writing center, scheduled workshops for young writers, poetry readings, author visits, etc.) and wonder if something like this -- something that can have a lasting impact on the young people of York and surrounding areas -- should be/can be the eventual long term goal of my laureateship.
In my wildest daydreams, interested folks from York, Lancaster, and Harrisburg would join forces and secure funding to offer our communities a REAL alternative to what's currently available to kids after school. The competition is fierce. The lure of walking the streets, getting high, watching television, going online, getting drunk, instant messaging, texting, gaming, and simply doing nothing is relentless and powerful.
It almost sounds ludicrous to suggest that "...what these kids need is a place to write!"
But set aside the pessimism for just a moment, and imagine creating a place that somehow manages to work. A place where kids take pride in themselves and their ideas. A place where they find respect...and safety...and genuine interest in their ideas. A place where they find their voice.
Sounds idealistic, I know. And it's sad that it sounds so out of the question.
So, this is just a tiny seed of an idea. I toss it out there, hoping it may land somewhere it can grow a bit. Perhaps sprout roots one day. I'm not suggesting that we are ready to start something on the same scale as 826. But I do feel an obligation to speak out from this Poet Laureate's perch. I do want to start talking about what kids have, what they want, and what they need. Maybe someone will hear something I mutter and take an interest. And maybe that will grow into a project, or a program. Or a movement . And maybe that will benefit one child. Or a group of children. Or a family. Or a group of families.
I look forward to participating in this conversation...
Regards,
Bill Diskin
Poet Laureate of York, PA
From the 826 Valencia web site:
Simply put, 826 Valencia helps students, ages 8–18, to develop their writing skills. Whether the students are working in the realm of fiction, nonfiction, or English as a second language, we are here to help them explore their love of writing. We offer free drop-in tutoring, workshops, and storytelling. We also help students create their own story collections, zines, and other publications.
Our method is simple: we assign free tutors so that the students can get one-on-one help. It’s our belief that great leaps in English skills and comprehension can be made within hours if students are given concentrated help from knowledgeable tutors.
In addition to drop-in tutoring, we offer a number of in-depth workshops, in which professionals teach a variety of topics to the students interested in learning additional skills. These include, but are not limited to: creative writing, journalism, film, design, photo manipulation, comics, and publishing to the Web.
826 Valencia’s facilities are available as a free publishing resource, and our volunteers are available to assist with school and extracurricular student publications.
We hope to support area teachers in getting their students excited about writing, while also helping students learn how to better express their ideas through the written word. We encourage teachers to bring their classes in for field trips, invite us to visit their schools, and urge students needing extra help to come by during our drop-in hours.
www.826valencia.org
Have you heard of 826 Valencia? (www.826valencia.org)
While I am only in the beginning stages of my work as Poet Laureate of York, Pennsylvania, I look at something like 826 Valencia (drop in tutoring, a community writing center, scheduled workshops for young writers, poetry readings, author visits, etc.) and wonder if something like this -- something that can have a lasting impact on the young people of York and surrounding areas -- should be/can be the eventual long term goal of my laureateship.
In my wildest daydreams, interested folks from York, Lancaster, and Harrisburg would join forces and secure funding to offer our communities a REAL alternative to what's currently available to kids after school. The competition is fierce. The lure of walking the streets, getting high, watching television, going online, getting drunk, instant messaging, texting, gaming, and simply doing nothing is relentless and powerful.
It almost sounds ludicrous to suggest that "...what these kids need is a place to write!"
But set aside the pessimism for just a moment, and imagine creating a place that somehow manages to work. A place where kids take pride in themselves and their ideas. A place where they find respect...and safety...and genuine interest in their ideas. A place where they find their voice.
Sounds idealistic, I know. And it's sad that it sounds so out of the question.
So, this is just a tiny seed of an idea. I toss it out there, hoping it may land somewhere it can grow a bit. Perhaps sprout roots one day. I'm not suggesting that we are ready to start something on the same scale as 826. But I do feel an obligation to speak out from this Poet Laureate's perch. I do want to start talking about what kids have, what they want, and what they need. Maybe someone will hear something I mutter and take an interest. And maybe that will grow into a project, or a program. Or a movement . And maybe that will benefit one child. Or a group of children. Or a family. Or a group of families.
I look forward to participating in this conversation...
Regards,
Bill Diskin
Poet Laureate of York, PA
From the 826 Valencia web site:
Simply put, 826 Valencia helps students, ages 8–18, to develop their writing skills. Whether the students are working in the realm of fiction, nonfiction, or English as a second language, we are here to help them explore their love of writing. We offer free drop-in tutoring, workshops, and storytelling. We also help students create their own story collections, zines, and other publications.
Our method is simple: we assign free tutors so that the students can get one-on-one help. It’s our belief that great leaps in English skills and comprehension can be made within hours if students are given concentrated help from knowledgeable tutors.
In addition to drop-in tutoring, we offer a number of in-depth workshops, in which professionals teach a variety of topics to the students interested in learning additional skills. These include, but are not limited to: creative writing, journalism, film, design, photo manipulation, comics, and publishing to the Web.
826 Valencia’s facilities are available as a free publishing resource, and our volunteers are available to assist with school and extracurricular student publications.
We hope to support area teachers in getting their students excited about writing, while also helping students learn how to better express their ideas through the written word. We encourage teachers to bring their classes in for field trips, invite us to visit their schools, and urge students needing extra help to come by during our drop-in hours.
www.826valencia.org
Sunday, January 02, 2005
2005 Begins...
Spent the day in Washington D.C.
The world finds itself in a peculiar place. Tsunamis have altered the tone of things. Approaching 120,000 killed. Gone. Many taken out to sea. A massive event -- perhaps the worst disaster in human history.
Does this get anyone's attention?
Well, there was plenty of media coverage. Much was made of the slow U.S. response and the meager millions pledged for relief.
But has anyone taken the time to speak the unspeakable?
Look around, folks. The world is in a dire situation. It may be on the brink of total disaster.
When's the last time entire islands were moved 98 feet in a matter of 30 minutes?
This was a major earth event. A major cry from our sustaining forces that things are in crisis.
And, just as importantly, Nature has reminded us that, ultimately, we are part of nature -- not apart from it. We participate. And we initiate. And, at times, we take the blunt of Nature's rath. All part of the broad message, no doubt.
Humans do not have ultimate authority or control. Try as we might to rule, we are mere pawns in a far bigger system.
And, perhaps, a minor blip on history's master radar screen.
Spent the day in Washington D.C.
The world finds itself in a peculiar place. Tsunamis have altered the tone of things. Approaching 120,000 killed. Gone. Many taken out to sea. A massive event -- perhaps the worst disaster in human history.
Does this get anyone's attention?
Well, there was plenty of media coverage. Much was made of the slow U.S. response and the meager millions pledged for relief.
But has anyone taken the time to speak the unspeakable?
Look around, folks. The world is in a dire situation. It may be on the brink of total disaster.
When's the last time entire islands were moved 98 feet in a matter of 30 minutes?
This was a major earth event. A major cry from our sustaining forces that things are in crisis.
And, just as importantly, Nature has reminded us that, ultimately, we are part of nature -- not apart from it. We participate. And we initiate. And, at times, we take the blunt of Nature's rath. All part of the broad message, no doubt.
Humans do not have ultimate authority or control. Try as we might to rule, we are mere pawns in a far bigger system.
And, perhaps, a minor blip on history's master radar screen.
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