Everyone Can be a Changemaker

 Manuel Cordoves

Everyone Can be a Changemaker

        

    The changemaker project was an incredible example of how anyone could be a changemaker in this world. As I looked at the many different generations of changemakers throughout the centuries, one thing stood out to me: We all have a fire inside us that wants to change the world. It doesn't matter if certain groups of people faced oppression, received backlash, or had so many obstacles in their way because the compassion we share for our fellow humans is what truly makes a changemaker. In this post I'll be talking about my experience through the changemaker project as a project manager, and how it's inspired me to become more of a changemaker myself.

Changemakers aren't made, they're just born that way. Many of them went to college and were educated, and others didn't have an education at all. Take Elvis, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones for example, they were able to touch the hearts of millions of people with their sound alone. The 1900's which is an era my group covered was about equality for all Americans and Peace, not war. These tones alone ring true and speak on problems we struggle with even in todays society. War was rampant in that time, between the Cold War, Vietnam, war, and various other conflicts like the Korean War. People wanted to see a change made, but not one made through violence. It was also at this point that a majority of Americans could read and write, tools that were used to control people hundreds of years ago. You could say we were starting to wake up and realize the situation we lived in, and that we needed to change it. In that wave, freedom fighters like Theodore Roosevelt stood up and fought to free all Americans from financial oppression through his trust busting acts.

The 2000's carried over many aspects of the 1900's while also having many new and unique problems we had to face. We still struggle with equality, even though segregation and committing a hate crime has been outlawed. Furthermore, we continue to fight and protest against warfare, which is rampant not just with the United States but many other countries as well. I think things have gotten better since the 1900s, but in other ways they've also become worse. Military technology has greatly advanced, with hostile groups of people just itching to have an excuse to use it. The evolution of technology and communication has also changed the atmosphere of our country, as many people spread hate and misinformation about others online with little to no repercussions beyond being "cancelled". Not all hope is lost though, because we also focused on the good that many changemakers did. 

For instance, Al Gore brought worldwide attention to the dangers of climate change and wanted people to really think about the environmental impact of our actions. Just thinking about how renewable energy sources could make us be four times as efficient is mind boggling. Another inspiring figure we discussed was Velma Scantlebury White. A true pioneer, she was the first female black surgeon in America, blazing the way for women and minorities alike. Her influential work in organ transplantation and medicine proved that anyone could break through the barrier placed on minorities by society. Just learning about her story through my group inspired even me in my pursuit of knowledge and for a career in the medical field. Likewise, we had women like Sara Blakely and Angelina Jolie, who through their global relief efforts and charities inspired people all over the world, not just America. One of the changemakers we concluded with was Steve Jobs, who made hi-tech technology mainstream and easy for everyone to use so we could all be better connected to one another. Sometimes I look back on that era in the early 2000's when everything was new and fresh, technology was on the up and up and everything seemed more hopeful. Unfortunately, too many people are disconnected rather than connected, and it's assignments like this one that make us realize the kind of things we have at stakes in our country and our lives.

As a project manager for this changemaker project, I can safely say that leadership is about listening to people, encouraging them and their ideas, and overall serving everyone towards our goals. It's not just about getting the work done, but that it doesn't even end up feeling like work in the end. Everyone in my two groups contributed a unique take, just like how the changemakers we studied contributed something good to society. Another thing that really stood out to me on this project was how changemakers come from all walks of life. Some are Athletes, Entrepreneurs, Musicians, Politicians, and of course Activists. They all have one common goal: a passion to improve the world around them.

Overall this project has actually inspired me to make me wonder what kind of changemaking I can do in my own life. You don't have to be in a wealthy position or already be famous to make a difference. Sometimes even taking small actions like being a good samaritan to your fellow human in your community is all it takes to start a chain reaction of change making!