Reflections from Citizen University 2017

In this blog, we'll collect our reflections from attending Citizen University 2017.

Each participant is asked to write at least one letter using the TIPS method and post it to this blog. The TIPS method asks us to compose a letter to a Thing, an Idea, a Person, or Self; it is a way to think about big concepts by starting out small.

Dear "Reframing"

Dear “reframing,”

This weekend wasn’t the first time I met you, but I still have trouble keeping you in mind. Kaz Brecher’s exercise on reframing was important and seems like it will be really helpful as I continue to try to help solve problems in my community, but it’s still difficult for me. Reframing by flipping what you see as a problem into an asset seems to me like it should be simple. Nonetheless, I have a lot of trouble with flipping my mindset all the way. In our group exercise on flipping mindsets, I continued to add caveats to my “positive” reframing. Clearly, this is not true reframing. Kaz defined reframing as overturning conventional wisdom to discover possibilities. Being able to use this tool properly seems like it could prompt a lot of positive thinking, as it approaches an issue with an asset-focused lens rather than a problem-focused one. While I’m still not great at reframing, practicing at Citizen University was really helpful, and I think this will ultimately be something I continue to need to work on for a long time until I naturally think more optimistically. It might be difficult, but I think it’ll be good for me and the communities I serve.

Thanks for reminding me that there’s always more to learn, reframing.

Letter to the Idea that One Vote Doesn't Matter

Letter to the Idea that One Vote Doesn't Matter

In the presidential election of 2016, the idea that one vote doesn't matter was born. People
were frustrated about both of the candidates, and they chose to not cast their votes during the election. Many people feel like they are not represented in the political process, and instead of choosing to fight back, they choose to sit back and just give in to the pressure of organizing and fighting for what they believe in.

But, one of the most important thing that I learned at Citizen University is that you are more powerful than you think. In this country, there are thousands of people whose life depends on the result of the election. In one of the breakout section that I attended, I learned about how important organization is and how powerful each ballot is. Eric Liu also talked about we are more powerful that we might think. Each person in this country has the power to change the future of the country. And those of us who are able to understand the news and think independently have the responsibility to expand our power by casting our ballot. In the world that we live in today, unlike energy, power is limitless. One of us gaining power doesn't mean that someone else is going to lose power. When each and every one of us expands our power, we increase the power that we have in this country as a whole.

When we think that we are not important, and our one vote doesn't matter, we need to think about the power that comes with being a citizen, and the implication from not exerting the right to vote. The country is stronger when its citizens participate in the democratic process.

So during the next election, I urge people to dismiss the notion that their vote doesn't matter. If people give in to their despair and ignorance and do not vote, it will weaken the democratic process. Also, it's an obligation for citizens to excessive their right. If citizens exercise their rights, they add power to themselves and therefore make the country stronger as a whole.

Dear Hospitality

Dear Hospitality,

You make me feel as if I were in my own home, relaxing in my pajamas, watching Netflix, with a hot cup off coffee. In your presence words flow thoughtlessly. It was really nice to have you at Citizen University this year. The conversations and discussions would not have been possible without your existence. I recognized how important you are Hospitality. People let their guard down around you and intimate idea are shared.

Hospitality, do you mind if I start using you to initiate my conversations?

Dear Self

Dear Self,

I had no idea what to expect from this experience but I knew it would be a good idea to check it out and see what there was to learn. I’ve been feeling ineffective and at a loss since the election - I was tired of seeing online petitions posted online and thinking it didn’t matter if I signed them or not. The sessions I chose were exactly the things I needed to motivate me to become more active again. I realized - as was repeated several times throughout the day and a half - that I am more powerful than I realize, as an individual, and that we are all more powerful together.

To my siblings

To my siblings,

I’m sorry. Those are words that I wish could come out of your mouth, but instead, I’ll let them flow out of mine. I’m sorry for being a hypocrite- for casting your ideas off just like the way you cast away my feelings. I’m sorry I let little things destroy my image of you; like a tea-bag in hot water, I let the small things that came out color, stain, and change you from something pristine, clear, and perfect to dark and unwelcoming. It was I that did not listen. It was I who lacked humility, who was impatient, and inhospitable. While I don't agree with what you say, that is no excuse for incivility. I know now that conversations are possible. I know that there are better ways to explain one’s side. The key is to ask more questions. I vow to do just that. As I write this letter to you asking for forgiveness for the lack of patience, humility, and hospitality that I gave you, I implore you to work to have these virtues when you converse with me. I will not go away. I will not be silent and I will not hide. I will continue to say what I feel the need to say, but I promise to listen without thinking of my next rebuttal. I promise to remember that your words don’t define all that you are- and to remind myself that the way you treat me and love me are more important and more deserving of attention.

Dear Future

Dear Future,

I was really worried about you after the “election heart attack” you suffered Nov last year. And now even it’s been almost half a year, you still seem so bleak and uncertain. Submerged in these emo feelings and darkness, I have been seeking even a sign of illumination that can help me believe in you again.

Citizen University event did shed some light and hope that I so desired. Even with all our legitimate worries and concerns, now is indeed the time for an opportunity to reborn and bring in new blood, new parties and new politics - ones our generation will help establish, lead and maintain to better serve you and long term goals for humanity. We used to be bold and curious during JFK period to explore the great potential of science and kindness between each of us whereas now we are living in a time of fear and narcissistic supreme. Yet we lived through this in the past like from Nixon era and we prevailed and carried on. And now more than ever we have people stand with us to fight for what’s right and just for you. I wish one day, our sons, daughters and decedents can live in a happier world we build and maintain for them. It is a time of change and we’ll do everything in our power to make you greater, brighter and happier.

All these leaders we met inspired us to take charge of our lives and politics to truly make it a world for us. We won’t concede but keep fighting until you become something we can all sing about and hopeful for like in Disney tales. For in the end, men are led by our dreams, when there’s a will, there’s a way. All of us together will prevail, after all, we already made so much progress in woman’s rights, equal rights, drug legalization, voting rights and so much more.

So please believe in us, and together we’ll make you great and show someone what truly it meant to make America great again, make humanity great again, and make love great again. Love wins, and it always will and we’ll paint you with a color of wind, hope and love for all!