Hey Everyone,
So as the end of the program draws near, I started thinking about how there have been dozens of great blogs. However, its hard to read 33+ blogs each month (34 if you count the most recent challenge blog). So, I looked back and grabbed a few needles (blogs) in the haystack (More blogs). Here are 7 interesting blogs from other fellows throughout the year that I think are enlightening about Detroit and the Challenge Detroit experience.
Disclaimer: This is just a sample of great blogs, and not a definitive ranking of the blogs. If it were, my name would be featured prominently on this list several times. Thank you.
Alyssa Brown
We had a self-defense training during one of our leadership fridays, and Alyssa took to the interwebs, writing a great summary of how to be safe. Very informative and relatable read for anyone!
Bethany Felder
Bethany, before Challenge Detroit, spent two years in Detroit as a teacher for Teach For America. During this time, she forged strong relationships with her students, and it’s obvious to anyone that they are the reason why her heart is in Detroit. As you know, this fall was filled with more tragedies that saw young black children lose their lives too early. Bethany used this blog as a chance to write a short, heartfelt letter of encouragement to her students.
Courtney Mccall
6 Reasons that Prove Why Continual Learning is so Important
Courtney McCall is one of the most honest people in this fellowship, and I really liked this blog because she reminded us, why learning should never cease. I recommend it for all recent graduates, who may struggle with the transition to the “real world” and look back to the nostalgic times spent in school.
Elizabeth Grabowski
Story #8 Something from Everyone
I picked this blog for 2 reasons. (1) While I was reading through, I saw a reference to me and (2) it was a great reminder to me of all the bonds and learnings I gained from all of my fellows. No matter what organization you are in, family, business, classroom, etc., you should always look at the positive characteristics and qualities people display, and try to take that with you wherever you go.
Jason Aroha
Nihilism in Response to ‘Saving Detroit’
In the same spirit of the last blog I mentioned, I want to point out some great features about Jason. He is a critical thinker, and I appreciate how he avoids “Group” think. This blog is a great example of Jason’s thinking as he criticizes the common understanding ( among social justice types) that outsiders have nothing to offer, and frames Detroit as a city built on immigrants. Whether you agree with his perspective or not, he is advancing a valid point that I think will help push conversations about migration in a productive direction.
Jessy Wang
SOS – I’m allergic to Detroit!
Jessy, who is the token Canadian fellow (we have driven this point home numerous times this year), had a crazy first few months, where she spent time on another fellow’s couch and moved between 3 apartments! This blog is a somewhat sad/funny recap of her moving experiences, but what makes this a great blog is that despite her very real challenges, she is so appreciative to be here in the end. I think it shows how mature her view on life can be and is a good lesson for anyone when life has you down!
Larry Latimore
Larry, like Jason, is another guy who is very well read and spends a lot of time THINKING. It was hard to pick one of Larry’s blogs, because all of them are very LONG, but insightful. I like this one in particular because he gives his perspective about education and adds more to his argument by talking about some of the downsides to higher ed, rather than just jumping to the “Get the Degree”.
There are many other good blogs, but these are a few needles to “pick your brain”. And with that corny joke, I rank this blog as #4 all time Challenge Detroit.