Inspired by…
It's summer here in Chicago and as we at the Br. David Darst Center wrap up our year, saying goodbye to our long-term volunteers and begin prepping the space for new groups and new staff we found ourselves needing a little bit of inspiration. Why do we do the work we do? Who motivates and inspires us on our social justice journey and spiritual path?
Normally the month of July reminds us of long summer days, 4th of July fireworks, and lots of ice cream! But for the students of San Miguel-Back of the Yards, July means graduation. And for the 8th-grade class, it's a time to celebrate the successes and joys of their middle school careers -the perfect place to turn to for some inspiration!
San Miguel-Back of the Yards is a non-tuition driven middle school located in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. Designed to serve academically at-risk students and their economically disadvantaged families it is rooted in the Lasallian Charism of providing a human and Christian education. Class sizes are small with a 10:1 student to teacher ratio and a team-teaching approach so that students are academically supported by multiple teachers. The average school day is a little over 8 hours and the school year is year-round giving students time to receive individual support, catch up academically, and to deepen student-teacher relationships. Our Darst Center groups often participate in the afternoon classes reading time with the students, as well as gym class and of course - dodgeball!
Ms. Amy Siebenmorgen
This spring, 8th graders in Ms. Siebenmorgen's writing class were given the assignment to write an essay about their favorite human rights activist. Detailing who they were and what inspiration they brought to the world around them. Students were encouraged to draw connections between these "social justice superheroes" and the students themselves. Ms. Siebenmorgen is a Lasallian Volunteer serving as the 8th-grade Literature and Writing teacher, hailing from the great state of Arkansas. She was excited to see who her students would pick to write about and as you read on below you'll see that inspiration can come from all over. We certainly are inspired by these students and their amazing accomplishments. Congratulations Class of 2018, thank you for inspiring us!
Yesenia, inspired by Gloria E. Anzaldúa.
Yesenia - Class of 2018
Gloria Anzaldúa was born on September 26, 1942, in Raymondville located in Harlingen, Texas. Her parents Urbano Anzaldúa and Amalia Anzaldúa were raised on ranches and married at a young age. They were also the 6th generation of Mexican-American's. Gloria’s family had to constantly move because of her parent's jobs as migrant farmers. Gloria also had siblings, she was the oldest of four, she had to of course look over the younger ones. Gloria was inspired to do her work by her lifestyle growing up on the Mexico-Texas border and a variety of academic discipline. Latinos weren’t really accepted in school and didn’t get all of their rights and respect. The Mexico-Texas border "...is an international border separating Mexico and the United States... travers[ing] a variety of terrains, ranging from major urban areas to uninhabitable deserts. Approximately 350 million legal crossings occur annually, and it is the most frequently crossed border in the world". (Wikipedia) In all, Gloria had a tough childhood and learned a lot of things at a young age that made her mature faster.
Gloria wrote a lot of books and it’s not a lie when people say that she’s honestly one of the best writers in the world. Gloria first started her career by co-editing This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Woman of Color, in 1981 which was a book that really showed the power of women; "The book centered the experiences of women of color and emphasized the points of intersectionality within their multiple identities, challenging white feminists who made claims to solidarity based on sisterhood". (Wikipedia) After she wrote the semi-autobiographical of Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza in 1987. Gaining recognition in these great projects, she then started writing her own books and poems, discussing "...the invisible "borders" that exist between Latinas/os and non-Latinas/os, men and women, heterosexuals and homosexuals, and other groups." (Wikipedia) Not only did she write books for adults she also wrote children books - La Fea (1958), Prietita y La Llorona (1996), and Prietita Has a Friend (1991). Even though Gloria was born into a family and a place that weren’t given many chances, she still found something that she enjoyed doing and worked with it. Gloria is a leader that showed even if you are considering small you can always do something immense.
After a prosperous life and many awards, Gloria died on May 15, 2004, in Santa Cruz, California from complications due to diabetes. Even after Gloria’s death, her legacy went on, breaking records and winning awards. The University of California now offers the annual Gloria E. Anzaldúa Distinguished Lecture Award and The Gloria E. Anzaldúa Award for Independent Scholars and Contingent Faculty. The Gloria E. Anzaldúa Poetry Prize is awarded annually; in conjunction with the Anzaldúa Literary Trust which has 25 contributor copies, and a $500 prize. On September 26, 2017, Aunt Lute Books published a book featuring the work of 52 contemporary poets on the subject of Anzaldúa's continuing impact on contemporary thought and culture.
Gloria had a lot of success and support from many people. She was able to help, inspire, and grasp her goals even though she was a woman, Latin, and part of the LGBT community. She took everything she had from her childhood and what she learned and put it into her books and poems, expressing herself and sharing with adults, communities, students, and children. In all, Gloria is a legend, a writer, a poet but most important a woman that should be known and people should be motivated by her.
Luis -Inspired by Mother Teresa.
Luis - Class of 2018
When people think of a Saint they often think of Mother Teresa, and for good reasons. Mother Teresa was a nun who dedicated herself to helping the poor. Her whole life she devoted to helping the poor, sick, and the helpless. She always wanted what’s right for others. In other words, she was like an actual mother to other people.
Mother Teresa was born in Skopje Macedonia, on August 26, 1910. (Biography.com) Her family wasn’t very big. She only grew up with her sister and brother. Unfortunately, when she was 8 years old her father he suddenly fell ill and died. Because of this, she became close to her mother that inspired her to commit her time to charity.
She began an open-air school and established a home for the dying destitute in a dilapidated building, convincing the city government to donate to her cause. (Biography.com) Mother Teresa was the founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic congregation of women dedicated to helping the poor. She was also considered one of the 20th century greatest humanitarians. (Biography.com) People called her “the saint of gutters” because of her charitable work with the poor. Her order established a hospice, centers for the blind, aged and disabled, and a leper colony.
Mother Teresa became a saint on September 4, 1997. She was awarded the Jewel of India, the highest honor bestowed on Indian civilians, as well as the now-defunct Soviet Union's Gold Medal of the Soviet Peace Committee. (Biography.com) She made it easier for other people that don’t have many opportunities in their lives. She didn’t like seeing people suffer just like the way her father did. She impacted the world by sharing everything she had with people who needed it.
In conclusion, Mother Teresa was a great nun that dedicated most of her life to helping others. Helping the poor, sick, and homeless was what she devoted her life to. She was committed to charity in her lifetime to help others. Being one of the 20th century greatest humanitarians proves that she really took her time helping others in need. Saint Mother Teresa will always be remembered as a hard-working nun that helped others.