Guest Post via @wmjackson: What I Learned from TEDxFSCJ Engage 2016

via

What I Learned from TEDxFSCJ Engage 2016
by William Jackson and Elisha Taylor

William Jackson
Educator with Edward Waters College
Father, Blogger, Speaker, Community Activist
Elisha Taylor student with #DCPS
Future TEDxFSCJ Salon Speaker and Presenter

Sharing our experiences from attending in the TEDxFSCJ event.
A. Everyone has a story that is equal in its importance
and significance.
B. Everyone is faced with a challenge, that challenge
does not have to define us or determine our destinies.
C. Diversity empowers and strengthens our collective
community.
D. There is a lack of personal communication between
people that is wide scale and potentially divisive
for our community.

E. We must look beyond our color and build relationships
that strengthen and unite our community not divide us.
F. We must learn not to judge a person because of their
religious beliefs or allow others to encourage attacks
on those that worship in a different way.
G. A woman’s voice is just as valuable as a man’s’ and
her challenges are just as real.
H. Our youth, teens and young adults views are just as
important as our elders.
I. We cannot / should not judge a person, family or
community by their zip code, area code or children by
their lunch status.
J. We must never allow those that speak racism, sexism,
war, strife, and separation be in leadership and allow this
thinking.
K. Political views should not divide us, they should
encourage discussion and respect.
L. We must listen to our elders for wisdom and guidance
and apply their teachings.
M. Networking is a continuous process of sharing, caring
and respecting others.

N We must always strive to learn every day. Education is
valuable in our global economy and society.
O. Colleges and universities must be used to unite and
collaborate learning for all communities.
P. Politics should never be allowed to divide people,
is should be used as a medium for different opinions and
ideas to come together for dialogue and discussion to
find solutions.
Q. Women should have equal political power as men,
people of color should not be marginalized for political
gain and used as electoral fodder.
R. Children and the elderly should be the priority in
building a city. To accommodate the youth, teens and
young adults with mentors, role models and opportunities
to learn outside of classrooms.
S. The elderly should be accommodated and respected by
sharing their knowledge and talents with the youth who
have similar career and life aspirations.
T. Those that are disabled should be allowed to share
their knowledge to adapt a community to accommodate the
levels and challenges of the disabled.
U. Before a technology is applied the benefits should
outweigh the challenges for a progressive society.

V. The educational systems in public and higher education
should look like the student body as much as possible
with teachers and staff.
W. The prison system should be filled with educational
materials, vocational opportunities and career sessions
just like schools to keep people from returning.
X. Higher education should include vocational and career
development centers that help students succeed and
continue to grow.
Y. The community must reach out to those that have
disabilities and not see their disability, look at
their potential for contribution to society.
Z. Understand that everyone in a society has a place,
is part of a collective family and has value.