Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Malcolm is a true inspiration for the Canadian people and especially last Thursday afternoon for the Ottawa Community. I really enjoyed the Q & A and many people in the audience had the chance to email or use twitter to send in their questions! Yes! Many of us had their crackberries and iPhone turned on and asked questions directly to Malcolm! The power of Real Time Social Media!
The theme of this discussion was geared towards poverty in United States. We often forget it’s also happening right in our backyard. I couldn’t agree more with Malcolm when he said if you could find a way to stabilize people in need and have them a good place to live right away; you would find people actually need very little support. It’s actually to the advantage of our governments to keep people off the streets and place them in good homes. It puts less stress on our police force, rehab facilities and hospitals. So why can’t we spend our money intelligently to those in need? When it would actually save us money over the long term? I know it sounds cold but really that’s what the government needs to hear. Today’s government is driven by savings and not necessarily by doing the right things.
They found in Denver they where able take about half the people off the streets right away. Could you imagine the savings and the crime rate drop! Well yah that’s why they did it =D We have to remember we can’t solve the problem all at once. As a society we have to tackle one problem at a time. We Canadians are far ahead when it comes to social responsibility then the US but we should always thrive to do better.
I was very pleased to learn about the emerging KIP Schools in the US. These schools give the opportunity for children of low-income family who wouldn’t have the opportunity to go to college to do so. These kids are all very hard working and they really want to learn. By having extended class time and running school over the summer these students are able to get ahead on reach their dreams.
Ottawa has also something to be very proud of. The Astolot Educational Centre (203-1187 Bank Street) was founded to meet the individual learning needs of students by understanding the learner first. Astolot helps students from the age of three to nineteen in reaching their potential.
“It’s very Canadian to be not proud of what you are proud of!” – Malcolm Gladwell
It is time for Canadians to start being proud of things we’re good at. If you’re not proud of something then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!! What I’m trying to say whatever your passions are you can always find a way to help others. So don’t be afraid to make changes through experiments and don’t be afraid to try weird things!
The Grand Experiment of Social Media by Susan Murphy
http://www.suzemuse.ca/2009/06/14/the-grand-experiment-of-social-media/
Malcolm Gladwell at the NAC by Sonia Riahi
http://tbridge.ca/malcolm-gladwell-at-the-nac/
KIPP Schools
http://www.kipp.org/
Astolot Education Center in Ottawa
http://www.astolot.com/
United Way Ottawa
http://www.unitedwayottawa.ca/
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