Waiting on the World to Change (said in sing-song John Mayer voice)...

Here's the skinny: I really don't know where to begin on this topic because quite honestly, I am SO passionate about it and could probably type for hours on end until you are asleep on your keyboard.  Nevertheless, I will jump on in  and try and make sense of all the thoughts racing through my mind.

But why wait for the world to change? Why not, as Ghandi said, be the change you wish to see in the world?

I actually saw this exact report on Luma and the Fugees by Tom Brokaw awhile back when they were first starting off, so I've been familiar with this initiative for awhile now.  Reading the book however, and especially at this time in my life, made it seem so much more earth-shattering to me. I love the sport of soccer. Seriously.  I sacrificed my ACL 3 times just so I could play.  I love service.  There is no feeling like giving back.  And more than anything, I love people who DO something meaningful.  Not to say that sitting behind a desk every day isn't meaningful, but I respect a person beyond words who can give up everything in their life to essentially change the world.  That is what Luma did.  And when she gave up essentially everything, she gained more than she ever could've known.

The most obvious value from the Social Change Model of Leadership Development is Citizenship.  When Luma noticed a need in the ever changing community of Clarkston, she took initiative to make the town a better place.  She noticed the social boundaries that were built and could be empathetic, because she too came from a different country.  Even though Luma had the best intentions, many "good ol' boys" in the community did not share her views.  When Luma was trying to help the town grow, decrease gang membership, and build character she was met with resistance.  At first the City Council didn't even let her use a public facility that hadn't been utilized in years!  As difficult as that must have been, Luma persevered and continued to put the Fugees and her community first.  While some may not have seen it, Luma was bridging gaps way beyond creating a soccer team.  She was uniting boys from all over the world, refugee families who had no friends or families, and the residents of Clarkston to all believe that a community, although ever changing, can still be extraordinary and exemplify everything America should be. 

 Luma also showed great use of Collaboration, tying in with the ideas of community and citizenship.  Luma had to partner with the city of Clarkston to gain access to playing fields.  Luma collaborated to get funding for a team bus for the Fugees.  Luma collaborated each day with mothers and families to reassure them and bring then together through the Fugees.  Luma collaborated to tutor and later, create a school for the Fugees.  She realized that the power of one may not be able to do everything, but when partnered with others, can change the world.  Now, Fugees Families, Inc. exists for the sole purpose of helping refugee families so there is never another instance of a child going hungry or struggling to learn the English language.

Commitment.  Nobody can doubt that Luma is committed to her team and their cause.  It is so rare however, to find such commitment.  Luma saw a problem, addressed it, and put all of her passion into creating a plan of action.  Many see a problem and think "Oh, I should do something about that," then go back to their lives.  Luma, on the other hand, did something. She made something happened and as a result, changed a countless number of lives.  She was committed to changing the mindsets of the ignorant citizens of Clarkston and America.  Luma began tutoring for free, giving kids rides, and feeding them meals when the food stamps ran out.  She was their guardian who was around when their legal guardians weren't.  She let the Fugees change her life and because of that commitment, she is opening the eyes of people everywhere to the issues of refugee immigrants.

                                       Can't even handle how amazing this guy is and this message. Watch.  Be obsessed.

Luma leads in a way of "catering to her audience," as we have discussed in class.  When coaching the Fugees, she knows to be more vocal, aggressive, and inspiring.  When dealing with the people of Clarkston, she knows to be understanding and considerate.  When dealing with families of refugees, she knows to be empathetic and helpful. She makes people feel respected, but a mutual respect is expected as well.

Now, why do I love this story? I touched on it a little before, but this is essentially what I want to do with my life.  I want more than anything to start a non-profit organization or a company with giving at it's core (like TOMS shoes). Everything changed for me after my Buck-I-Serv trip to LA last year when we worked with homeless and battered women.  The people who ran these organizations that we volunteered at literally brought me to tears.  They were paid next to nothing, but did it anyway because they were making a difference.  They may not have been the richest in the world in terms of money, but these people continue to inspire me. I want to be like that. I'm not okay with going to work from 9-5 every day and leading a normal life.  I need to be passionate about what I'm doing and feel like what I am doing is making an impact. I've turned down job and internship offers for that reason. Some may think I'm crazy (haters gonna hate), but I think I can change the world.  I just don't know how...yet.  I'm constantly looking and keeping my eyes open for things I can do, but it is harder than it seems.  After reading Outcasts United and Luma's story, I know I can do it. It just has to happen when the stars align and the timing is right.
So until then, I will be actively waiting because you never know what your life's calling may be. And if you aren't going to change the world, then who will?

Here is more info on Fugees Family, Inc. http://www.fugeesfamily.org/index.htm

And my favorite place I volunteered in downtown Los Angeles. http://www.dwcweb.org/