Harvard College Democrats » Dem Apples

DEM SUMMERS: Will Poff-Webster’s Worthy, Positive Work

Christine Hurd — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:42:13 +0000

The Dems have been busy over the summer: interning, working, volunteering, traveling, and of course, indulging in some leisure time not oft found in Cambridge (leave it to a Harvard student to be busy spending leisure time.) This is part VII of an indefinite series. If you’re a Harvard Dem (or rising pre-frosh with interest), we’d love to hear what you’ve been up to. | E-mail communications@harvarddems.com.

This summer I was a staff member and teacher at a Boston non-profit, the Summer Leadership Program, teaching political activism and social justice to youth ages 14-18. While it was hard to forego the more traditional route of interning for an elected official, I was drawn back to teach at the Summer Leadership Program because I did the program as my first summer job and it’s a big part of my passion for politics.

The Summer Leadership Program (SLP) is one of too few places in the city of Boston where teens from really different backgrounds get together. We had 71 students, two-thirds from Boston’s inner-city neighborhoods and one-third from more affluent areas of the city and suburbs. Amazingly enough the participants actually get paid, which is important because many need to help support their families and all of them learn about the value of a job.

One of the most challenging but rewarding parts of SLP is building a community across race and class lines, and it was my job to teach participants about the social justice issues underpinning the problems we have today. For the first few weeks we focused on racism, classism, sexism, and heterosexism (a more systemic word for homophobia). We did activities like “ten chairs,” which shows how the richest 10% of Americans own 70% of the wealth (one guy in one chair gets to stretch out over seven), while the other 90% of the population has to crowd onto three chairs. The biggest learning tool in SLP is just a conversation where everyone shares their life experiences, where we learned about how racism, sexism and homophobia remain problems today.

In the second part of the summer, I taught a seminar on environmental justice. We talked about the government response to Hurricane Katrina, the asthma epidemic in American cities, climate change (the participants were astounded that anyone could refuse to believe in climate change- in a moment of less-than-objectivity, I told them I thought it was the Republicans’ fault), and gentrification. I tried to show them everything through the focus of political action, highlighting community organizing and political campaigns that have stopped environmental degradation. At one point we walked through my neighborhood of Boston, Jamaica Plain, to show how community activists in the 1970s allied with state Democrats to defeat a proposed 10-lane highway that would’ve cut the neighborhood in two. They won, and successfully used federal highway money to build a long system of parks, playgrounds, bike paths, and the Orange Line subway system. I hope I was able to show my participants that political engagement and activism can lead to better communities!

Because one job is never enough, on the side I continued my term-time job at the Boston Student Advisory Council, an advocacy group of students in the Boston Public Schools. I’m the staff member working on making sure the new Boston Teachers’ Union contract addresses student concerns in education reform. It looks like I’ve already written way too much, so I won’t say more than that, but if you want to know about it just ask!

Of course I’m also really excited to work with you all this year. This summer just reinvigorated my commitment to the Democrats as the best way to bring change for this country. I can’t wait to work with you all soon!

Dem Summers: Adan Acevedo’s Art of Actualizing Awesome Abroad

Christine Hurd — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:23:46 +0000

Events Director Adan Acevedo was in Brazil and Los Angeles this summer!

I have one rule: spend as much time as possible in my city, Los Angeles, during the summer.

…unless you’re going to Rio de Janeiro.

I spent my summer taking language classes with Professor Clemence Jouet-Pastre, the head of the Romance Languages Department at Harvard, and learning about Brazil’s economic promise and cultural diversity. I talked to everyone I met about Cardoso, Lula and Roussef. Everyone (including some very charismatic receptionists) had opinions about the Plano Real, and how the economic boom was either helping or hurting those lower in the socioeconomic ladder.

Our first week and a half was spent in Sao Paulo, a city larger than New York and a city that has the jaw-dropping mansions of Higienopolis only a few minutes away from skycrapers with few windows that serve as, rather unsafe, housing to the very poor in the city.

After our time in Sao Paulo, we visited Paraty for about four days. Paraty, my version of paradise, is a romantic colonial city surrounded by islands, which we visited on a day-long boat trip. We spent the four days we had in Paraty exploring, swinging from ropes into waterfalls, and experiencing the religious traditions of the town.

Finally, we reached Rio de Janeiro. Rio is a city rich in culture that loves the modern. It is a city that has favelas just a few meters away from the fanciest of hotels. The city has the best beaches I’ve ever seen, the liveliest teenagers and some of the most honest people I’ve ever encountered (and that’s coming from someone who has lived in a Hispanic household for the past 20 years). The wealth discrepancy, the memories of a military regime, and the high crime rates tinge every aspect of Carioca (what people from Rio call themselves) life, but one can’t help but be amazed at the greatness and promise of the city. I wrote a few papers, took a few tests, but I learned a lot from my day-to-day interactions with people and the late nights at bars chatting with people who had just gotten out of class or work.

I read a ton this summer, improved at speaking Portuguese, ate delicious food, kept up with the ridiculous antics of our US Congress and managed to slip in a quick road trip to Northern California. Now I’m excited to meet all of you and work with you to make this year enjoyable (and to gear up for 2012!).

And if you’re wondering…yes, they are tall and tan and young and lovely.

Dem Summers: Allison Gofman’s Academic Greatness

Christine Hurd — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 22:19:14 +0000

This summer I took a break from partisan politics to do some research and work for a nonprofit. I was research associate to Patricia Duff, Founder of nonprofit The Common Good, and Stuart Sundlun, Managing Director of BMB Group. My assignment was to research international statistics for an upcoming book – a 390 page report later, I’m finally done. Whewh. Comparing the United States to the rest of the world was an interesting project; the conclusion: we are no longer number one on many metrics, but I believe in our country enough that I’m sure that with enough dedication, we can remedy faults in the categories we need to focus on (the middle class and female health/representation are among our weakest points). Favorite fun fact is that we produce the most cheese in the world.

I also had the opportunity to intern with The Common Good, a non-partisan political nonprofit committed to a mission of increasing involvement in the political process and encouraging civil dialogue. Although I’m usually a firm Democrat, this was a great opportunity to encourage genuine discussion and debate across the isle, which is something that our political process does not have nearly enough of. We ran a large number of events over the summer, ranging from policy discussions on the Middle East, events with Representatives Shelley Berkley and Barney Frank, and larger events with documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, a panel on social media in politics, and co-hosting the premier of documentary Life in a Day at the Museum of Modern Art.

During a bout of nerdiness and boredom, I wrote an article about the politics of Lord of the Rings. I’m looking forward to returning to the Dems in lovely Cambridge, where civil dialogue is almost always the norm!

Dem Summers: Tori Wenger’s Parliamentary Power

Christine Hurd — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 17:07:43 +0000

Tori Wenger, HCD Treasurer in front of the Houses of Parliament

I spent the majority of my summer living in London while interning for Luciana Berger, who is the Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Liverpool-Wavertree. During my time in her office, Luciana was leading Labour through the committee stage of the Energy Bill in her role as the Shadow Minister for Climate Change. This meant that I was tasked with doing research on various amendments that Labour was presenting in committee and preparing notes and speeches for debate (and then literally running them to the committee room in time for Luciana to speak).

While Labour’s position as the opposition party to the Conservative/Lib Dem coalition government put the party at a disadvantage for getting any amendments passed in committee, a highlight of the Energy Bill’s committee stage was when Labour was able to pass it’s first amendment in committee (for ANY bill since the Coalition took over). The amendment ensured that a green apprenticeships program would be instated as part of the legislation, providing jobs and skills training for youth across the UK. While, for sake of full disclosure, the amendment only passed because the Conservatives weren’t paying attention when the vote was called and it passed by their abstention, I was nonetheless giddy to see some of my work payoff – even if only by mistake!

As the Energy Bill’s committee stage concluded, the News of the World phone hacking scandal hit the airwaves and entirely consumed Parliament’s agenda leading up to summer recess. I spent my final days in the office trying to juggle my daily tasks of scheduling meetings and sorting mail while fixating my eyes and ears on the coverage of the Murdoch committee hearings.

Needless to say, it was overall a very interesting time to be working in UK parliament. While I savored my experiences engrossed in UK politics – watching Prime Minister’s questions and laughing at the comedy of the tradition heckling on the Commons floor (something that would never be permissible in either of our government’s Congressional chambers), working in an office with only one other staffer and direct access to my MP (something that would never happen even in the office of the most junior Congressperson in the US), and chillin’ with the Queen (okay, that part didn’t actually happen), I certainly came home with a thirst for jumping back into American politics. Lucky for me, I’ve got another year ahead with the Dems to quench it!!

Dem Summers: Christine’s Community Craft

Christine Hurd — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 01:11:30 +0000

Dem Summers: Jonathan Newmark’s Magnificent Manhattan Market

Christine Hurd — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 20:23:23 +0000

HCD President Jonathan Newmark (far right)

This Summer I’ve been working as an intern at a New York based “alternative investment” firm called SecondMarket. As a member of the “Corporate Development” team, I explore new markets for our company to intercept and help with internal projects that will improve SecondMarket’s day-to-day operations. Because the firm is both an investment institution and tech start-up (check out the online platform at www.secondmarket.com!), I’ve learned more about finance than I will ever need, while dabbling in the “Silicon Valley” culture.

When New York gets to be too muggy (my curly hair serves as an accurate barometer of the humidity index), I’ve been escaping out to Long Island and south Florida to enjoy the beaches and ocean, while spending time with family and friends.

With only a few days left at SecondMarket, I’m sad to be saying goodbye to Manhattan. Thankfully, my family and I have an exciting trip planned to Italy and Croatia before I head back to school. Furthermore, I’m looking forward to heading back up to Cambridge, meeting some (hopefully) future members, and gearing up for a great semester of the Dems!

Dem Summers: Simon Thompson’s Maine Mayoral Managing

Christine Hurd — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 14:40:19 +0000

Simon Thomposon’s Maine Mayor Managing

My summer has consisted of an eclectic mix of political activities. Although I had originally planned for a somewhat laid-back summer with my efforts focused on a full-time internship with the OFA finance team in Boston, I was asked in late May to manage a mayoral candidate’s campaign in Portland, Maine- an offer I couldn’t refuse.

So, I’ve had a balanced mix of national politics and local politics.

The mayoral campaign, however, has proven to be the most interesting and intensive political experience I’ve had yet. This is the first time voters in my hometown are electing their mayor in 90 years (it used to be a ceremonial position passed between councilors), and the race has attracted a dozen and a half candidates- quite an impressive number for a city of 60,000.

The candidate whose campaign I’m managing, Jed Rathband (www.jedformayor.com), ran the campaign to create the elected mayor position but had not ever before run for elected office himself. Thus, boosting his name recognition in a crowded field of former state legislators and current councilors has proven to be the primary objective. But we’re doing good, and I’m optimistic about his chances.

Though I don’t plan on spending much time coaxing Harvard Dems into volunteering with the mayoral campaign, I do look forward to working on a variety of other campaigns this fall. With an array of municipal elections occurring in the greater Boston region this fall, at least two monumental elections next year, and a variety of issues-focused campaigns attracting the attention of the Harvard campus, we have plenty of democratic (small and large “d”) work ahead of us, and I look forward to getting started!

Dem Summers: Jonathan Padilla’s jobs are cooler than yours.

Christine Hurd — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:18:26 +0000

Dem Summers: Gary Gerbrandt’s Government Gauntlet

Christine Hurd — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:48:13 +0000

Gary Gerbrandt’s Government Gauntlet

Gary Gerbrandt: Service Director extraordinaire

This summer has been quite the experience — I’ve been working in the
marketing department of a massive professional service form,
copy-editing and project-managing and email-writing my way to
“success”. Fun fact: I’m actively helping to privatize various parts
of progressive governments thanks to the department I work in. (This
wasn’t what I planned.) But I’m enjoying the experience. Mostly, I’ve
been sleeping on commuter trains, wandering around an underground
mall, and looking dreamily out at Toronto from my (boss’s) office
window. As you can see from the attached company photo, I have
forgotten how to smile, keep both eyes open, and, yes, brush my teeth.

In my spare time, I have been injecting television, the New York
Times, Twitter, and, lately, the remarkably addictive game Dwarf
Fortress directly into my brain. I have been in a hyperventilatory
state for the past few weeks about the debt nightmare-shitfest-crisis,
but I know that by the time we’re all back on campus, it will be a bad
dream. A bad dream without any revenue increases for absolutely no
reason. A bad dream with a disgusting disregard for the worst-off in
America (a category which arguably now stretches from the poor to the
“middle class”). A bad dream which shows no signs of ending.

What can progressives and Democrats and the fiscally sane among us do?
I’ve been wondering that constantly since the deal was reached and
America barely squeaked by its largest fiduciary crisis in memory. How
can we possibly address the gaping holes in the social fabric which
are sure to grow faster with these cuts?

Then, I’m reminded of what I do with the Dems. Service. Service is the
one inviolable way which we can serve the causes that the modern
Democratic Party adheres to — ones which every person depends upon.
Equality, freedom, activism, communities, anything and everything. We
need to give of ourselves to bridge the fundamental gaps in society,
no matter what happens in Washington.

Despite this nightmare — and its powerful ability to shake a
Democrat’s faith in their party leaders — we must all remember that
we’re on the good side, fighting the good fight. I’ll remember that.
And I hope that everyone else will show their progressive stripes this
fall and spring by volunteering at Service’s events.

I can’t wait to see you all there. Enjoy the rest of your summers, and
keep your ears to the ground about upcoming events!

The Palinites are in your Wikipedia, rewriting your colonial history

Christine Hurd — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:21:34 +0000

From Huffington Post:

Last week, Sarah Palin told a local news station in Boston that Paul Revere “warned the British that they weren’t gonna be takin’ away our arms.” As the news media rushed to point out that Revere was, in fact, warning the American colonists, not the British, Palin’s supporters apparently attempted to update the Wikipedia entry on Revere in order to make the facts conform to Palin’s version of history.

According to the revision history on the Wikipedia page, Palin supports attempted to add the line in italics below:

Revere did not shout the phrase later attributed to him (“The British are coming!”), largely because the mission depended on secrecy and the countryside was filled with British army patrols; also, most colonial residents at the time considered themselves British as they were all legally British subjects.

Wow. This feels a lot like 1984 (and we conveniently have a editable medium to record history now.)