Obama's Weekly Address: Crisis & Service

President Obama's address last week dealt mainly with government response to the flooding in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. In light of past natural disasters and the pitiful government responses to them, this address is crucial not only for the immediate impact for the citizens currently enduring the crisis, but also for establishing, yet again, one of the ways this administration is different from the last. Hopefully this is a sign of how urgently and openly the administration will act to future situations of such magnitude.

The other major theme in Obama's address last week was the impact that individuals can have when we come together in service of our fellow community members. Obama is quoted on the White House website as saying: "In the Fargodome, thousands of people gathered not to watch a football game or a rodeo, but to fill sandbags. Volunteers filled 2.5 million of them in just five days, working against the clock, day and night, with tired arms and aching backs. Others braved freezing temperatures, gusting winds, and falling snow to build levees along the river’s banks to help protect against waters that have exceeded record levels." This is a great example of what our blog project is about.

Watch the full address below and share with us moments when you've seen your community come together in a positive way.

What are your thoughts on the government's reaction to this particular situation in the Dakotas and Minnesota? Does it renew your confidence? Do you feel we could do more?

Look for more posts on Obama's weekly addresses on this blog in the near future. Don't forget to check out our YouTube videos.



This video was provided by http://www.whitehouse.gov

Blaz Pirnat & Change it Up With Obama

Blaz Pirnat is one of the videographers for CIUWO. He is a student at California College of the Arts.

What are you willing to do to help make change happen?

It's not enough to want change. We have to work to make change happen. Let's hear what you have been doing, what you are going to do right where you are to make the world a little better. Post your thoughts, respond to what others have said and watch our YouTube interviews.

Know someone or a group of people who have already helped change their community? Have ideas for new community projects? Let us know.

Let's see what Camille's been doing.

What changes do you want to see in your community?

Most would agree that the world is not perfect, but what could make it better? Are there policy changes that should happen? Perhaps for you, it's just a change in people's attitudes (which would of course lead to changes in their actions). Post your thoughts, read what others have said, and watch our interviews on YouTube.

What Does Obama's Presidency Mean to You?

We're curious to hear your thoughts about Obama's presidency, what it means for you, for the country, and for the world. Please post you comments and read what others have said. Or you can watch our interviews on YouTube.

Sarah on Change it Up With Obama

Sarah L. Webb, a graduate Writing student at California College of the Arts, is one of the videographers for Change it Up With Obama.

Founder: Opal Palmer Adisa

http://www.opalwriters.com/index.php

Who We Are What We're Doing!

Change It Up With Obama

A video/oral history project in conjunction with The Center for Art and Public Life

Open to all voices, students, faculty, and staff

Seeking diverse representation and opinions

We ask 3 questions:

1. What does Obama’s presidency mean to you?
2. What change do you want to see in your community?
3. What are you willing to do to help make that change happen?

Participants may answer any or all of these questions in a videotaped interview that will be posted on the changeitupwithobama YouTube channel.

For questions, concerns or ideas please contact, Opal Palmer Adisa, Projector Director, at changeitupwithobama@gmail.com