Friday, March 27, 2009

Fresh Eyes. Fresh Scholar - An Introduction

If you ever watched a child play, you realize that it is something majestic about youth. Their imagination can engulf them into an alternative reality, where they can remain for hours, but still will respond when called for dinner. Children have the awesome ability to create anything they deem necessary to pass an hour or to cope with a nagging problem that threatens to harm their ideal world for the moment. Sooner or later, all individuals begin to descend from a loose reality that expands and contracts to individual needs, to what is called the real world - that still expands and contracts but often to foreign elements.

The concept of youth extends beyond a child, but to careers, businesses and industries as well. When a talented politician begins her career, she focuses on the change she would like to bring to her constituents. Her vision is typically optimistic, bold and remarkably young. As time goes on, and she wins her first election, then her second, something begins to change. She no longer has the spunk in her step or as much fervor in her eyes. This phenomenon is often caused by a new reality. One where one has to make sense to and/or appease broader authorities. When you can't say what's on your mind without filter. This young politician, or young business, nostalgically remembers when perspective was personal and in many ways desires to be young again.

Here is the chance, for all organizations, academics, politicians and business persons to be young again. Fresh Scholar, is an community of young people who will look at current events and civic issues and offer an unadulterated perspective. This is a place you dare to enter if you want to hear a truth that you may have ignored or the obviousness of a solution you've overlooked. Fresh Eyes, is governed and written primarily by persons 18 and under - and done so with passion and honesty.

How it works - 2 simple steps.
1) Each week a new topic is given and a group of young "scholars" will engage the issue with thought, discipline and respectfulness.

2) Immediately following the initial tackling of the issue, Fresh Scholar will open the floor for additional perspectives from more youth at their school, in their city, then across the country.

Fresh Scholar will try to preserve its youth by rotating leadership and inviting a broad youthful community to engage. Be a part of Fresh Scholar by following our weekly blog, commenting on things you like, respectfully disagreeing with other things and spreading the word to others in your community.

The original "Scholars" with Congresswoman Barbara Lee, March 2008

We believe in respecting everyone's thoughts and perspective - the safety of which is paramount to our community - so anyone who infringes upon the safety of our community, will be excluded from this experience.