Day 1: Who Am I? What is the Agenda?

University Pre-Seminar at NBJ

This year's pre-college seminar at NBJ focuses on the anthropology and archaeology of literacy development. The pre-seminar emphasizes reading and writing as tools of protection from a historical and contemporary perspective. This seminar is designed to promote social and scientific consciousness via reading, writing, and intellectual development. Young men are engaging in intellectual work that aims  to move them toward self-definition, resilience, and writing excellence. 

They read five texts today that include the works of William Julius Wilson - More Than Just Race and James Weatherall  - Void: The Strange Physics of Nothingness. 

The young men read the following excerpts as part of today's readings:

I am an internationally known Harvard professor, yet a number of unforgettable experiences remind me that, as a black male in America looking considerable younger than my age, I am also feared.  -Wilson

I study everything from politics to history to theology, biology, geology, mathematics, physics and philosophy. I am willing to entertain any idea – to study it, criticize it, and most importantly, try to take some value from it. - Weatherall

They responded to the following two questions for their first day writings:

Who Am I?

What is My Agenda?

The writings are below:

Section 1

IBR1

I am a young man who like's school and sports. I am a young man who is respectful to other's even when that treat me like I'm not worth nothing but I know deep down I'm worth something [in] life. I'm a leader not a follower. I'mm a good listener and I have good drawing skills. And I'm a Human just like everyone. 

My plan is get out of this cage they put me in at night so I can go home at night and be with my nephew and neice so I can show them not be be in the same foot-steps I was in I want to show them positive things in life and give them something I never had for myself A person to push me to get where I am at and feel good about myself. 

IBJ10

I am a young man who has made mistakes I won't stop making them because they're the greatest teacher only when your willing to learn. It's not what I do that defines me but the intention behind it. 

Is to find my place in the world. And then leaver it only to find that my place is where ever I make it. 

IBJ10M

I am falsely accused of a murder. I am INNOCENT!

I'm tryna go to college to play football. It that fails, I want to be a nurse. 

IBK10

I'm a young educated black male who graduated 8th grade and on my way to graduating high school. i'm creative , im a caring and very helpful person that 17 years old and i'm also a black king that feels like I have a target on my back from the system set up against us. 

My agenda is to strive for excellence and be a successful young man and go to college and do everything that I set my mind to that some people say im not good enough to do because of the enviroment that i'm from and the people that surround me. 

IBP16

I am a black young man who is judged by my dicisions and criticized for everything thats why I'm ambitous, but people don't see the greatness that i have to offer that's why i push myself to do great and better things so i can be successful.

My agenda for my life is to get out of jail and continue school and join a union so i can stay out the streets and just be successful so i won't have to be in know bodys jail or six feet under. 

IBK3

I am a black male that's lost, somebody that feels like i have to prove myself in order to be noticed. I am a waste of time because, if nobody's going to give me a fair opportunity to succeed then what's the point. I am pain because, it that's all your used to feeling in your life you become it. 

My agenda is to make a list full of long and short time goals and start crossing things off the list.My agenda is to be a better father and make something of myself, also i plan on being a better role model to my brothers and sisters. My agenda is to become different from my envirment and become my own man. 

Section 2

IBD5

I am strong powerful and intelligent African American male that will persaver through the toughest obstical. 

My agenda is to be the best that I can and not let anybody hold me back from my destiny.   

IBD10

I a black man in America who willing to be successful and willing to strive hard and do what what I have to, so I can be success and what im learning on my journey to success is great knowledge. The journey is hard. But Im going to continue to stay focused, trying to let my problems get in my way. 

My agenda is a written vision of my future, my goal that I have in the future and the things in learning now on my way towards the future is thing i can teach my children and my family to help them so they would no to stay focused when things is hard and bringing them down. First, dont let your pass bring down your future or deterime how your going to live the rest of your life. 

IBD1

I am a young kid with a broken heart but who is also pretty smart, im young with alot of feelings and emotions  but im also in teh wrong. I have made good and bad decisions that i have to live with and that changed my life but im here to be positive and have a blessed life.

My agenda is to gain more knowledge and wisdom as I proceed with life. I want to be successful but a nightmare moment changed my life. im here to step up for the better and worse and im here to mive my life to the fullest extent until in my hearst. im hear to overcome challenges and obstacles that fall in my way. i stay motivated and happy until  i don't know what to say. I love myself for whom im to because life is a great experience and im sure its not done. 

IBE7

Im a black younger male a good talent person who wan to be a ball player. I want to live to it's my time to go. Yes, I love myself a lot. Here because I made a bad mistake but learned from it.

To get my life back on the Right track to not see myself were I am not but somewhere better.

IBS19

Who are you?

I am me.

What do you want to be when you get older?

A music producer

How long do you want to live?

I don't know (70s)

Do you love yourself?

Yes

Why?

Because it helps me get through life

Do you care about these questions I am asking?

Yes

Why are you here today?

To see better results

What do you see when you look in the mirror

A handsome young man

Who are you?

A strong person

What does that mean?

I can do good if I place my mind to be so

How old are you?

Im 17

I am a person who has based their life off of flaws thinking less of myself and not showing strength for myself.

My agenda is to do what I know is right for myself.