I typically start my Mondays at ten in the morning. My phone unleashes a klaxon, I stumble out of bed and into a pair of jeans and a witty shirt, I grab a cup of coffee and barrel out the door to work. On January 18th, I was not only up at eight, but I was dressed and alert within minutes of waking up. I was ready for my first assignment for Print News Reporting, where students would meet Professor Reisner at Martin Luther King Park in Liberty City for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade.
Now, this was an optional visit. We didn't HAVE to go to the parade, which is quite a ways from my Kendall house. However, this was an opportunity to get a taste of Liberty City enjoying a celebration. It would be a good way to ease into what's slowly becoming a massive undertaking for this class. I've never been in the area and I'm unfamiliar with who is who. It would be a great chance to meet some people and make some contacts.
I met up with Alexandra and Ryan around 9:30 and we drove up to MLK Jr. Park. We made it to the park a little after ten and began looking for other members in the class. After finding Paola, we decided to take a look at some of the tents that had been erected. We spoke to several NAACP volunteers who were there for census registration, trying to get more members of the community to sign up early.
Around this time Professor Reisner arrived and we showed him what we found thus far. Looking quite pleased, Reisner sent us out to speak with the various organizations that had struck up more tents and several tables on the side of the road leading up to the parade route. Alexandra, Ryan and I continued our walk about the area, speaking with several other organizations and a couple of interesting folks along the path. Later, we met up with Reisner along the parade route and took note of the varied political figures (as well as the extreme police presence). Afterward Alexandra, Ryan and I left back to Miami
What I gathered from this expedition is the difference between talking to people as a student journalist and talking to people with a publication behind me. I never felt I had the authority to speak with people, like being a student was a detriment to me. However, now being connected with the Liberty City Link project has instilled a certain confidence in me that I didn't have before. I feel like I can take myself seriously and I think that comes out when I speak on behalf of LCL. I can't wait to build on this and be a part of LCL.
