HEADLINERS
Dear Mr. President
As the debate on national health care wages on, a group of youth from Liberty City, Florida, wanted to make sure their voices were heard.
To do so, they created a video to send to President Obama, rapping and freestyling their concerns about health care during Barry University’s School of Social Work’s Day of Social Action July 15. The event was held in collaboration with Liberty City’s Belafonte TACOLCY Center.
Students from the School of Social Work assisted throughout the day and helped the 11- to 13-year-old children draft the lyrics for the rap video, which can be viewed online at barry.edu/communicationsmarketing/video/2009/healthcare.htm. The video was only part of the day’s activities as more than 100 children, ages 5 to 13, gathered at Barry to learn the values of social action and social justice. They participated in common activities throughout the day and split into age groups in the afternoon for one of three projects – the video to President Obama, a mural, and a song, dance and instrument routine.
Faculty members Dr. Mark Smith and Dr. Sarah Lewis helped organize the day with the participation of more than 25 of their students from the School of Social Work’s practice and advanced research classes. Additionally, Dr. Walter Pierce opened the day with a session defining social action, and Dr. Sharron Singleton wrapped up the event with a “Man in the Mirror” activity challenging the children to find the motivation to make a difference. |
