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Scholarship Application Public Information
Stephanie Skaff
| Name: | Stephanie Skaff |
| Location: | New York, NY |
My personal volunteering highlight:
I'll never forget the first time I met with a group of New York City street vendors for the monthly meeting of members of The Street Vendor Project. I was beginning a public art and advocacy project about vendors in the city and I wanted to introduce myself to this diverse group of at least one hundred vendors. At the end of the meeting, we stood up and held hands to chant "Vendor Power" in five different languages. It was at that moment that I realized the potential for unity, equality and justice in the world and I made a promise to myself that I would never accept anything less in my lifetime.
More about my volunteering with DFA:
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More about my volunteering with progressive organizations:
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More about my work on current campaigns and issues:
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What motivates me:
I grew up in Toledo, Ohio with a father who was an autoworker. Although he was not an activist, he always instilled in me a desire for social and economic justice. I learned from his empathy, his compassion, and his sense of fairness. I got active because of him, and I stay active because it has become impossible to ignore injustice.
How I try to motivate others:
I create environments where people can talk about political and social issues. I bring up issues in typical social environments to hear my friends' viewpoints. I use networking sites like facebook to share articles and blogposts related to my social and political interests. And I facilitate projects that enable marginalized communities to get engaged in local politics.
Where I see myself in five years:
I see myself continuing to lead innovative, ambitious projects that give voice to underrepresented populations; building DCTV's media campaign into a powerful national organizing tool for young people who are affected by gun violence and the leaders who serve them; and maybe making documentary films myself!
My suggested bumper sticker slogan for the Stand with Dr. Dean campaign:
Is your premium heavy as a holstein? Stand with Dr. Dean.
Blogging
I read these blogs often:
Talking Points Memo
Brooklyn Vegan
Participation in the blogosphere is important because...
Reading blogs helps put news and ideas into a greater context, diversifying my point of view and connecting me to interesting and powerful thinkers worldwide. Blogs invite creativity and experimentation, and give voice to oppressed people and others around the world whose valuable perspectives are not represented in the media.
I have only occasionally blogged myself, primarily as a way to document and share my experiences working with NYC street vendors. This experience provided me with an exceptional outlet for my thoughts about labor issues and immigration, as well as a means to advocate for street vendors. My posts reached new audiences and helped promote the businesses of my partner vendors. I found that my thoughts became more organized when I had to share them regularly with my readership.
A Little Bit About Stephanie Skaff
I am an artist, producer and activist making public awareness projects about social justice issues. I have a background in theater, but for several years my work has combined audio documentary, performance and public art. Incorporating the stories and experiences of marginalized communities, I try to bring attention to injustices in our nation's social and economic systems.
Right now, I am excited to be working with Downtown Community Television Center, New York City's independent media center, to coordinate a national media campaign about gun violence in the United States. The campaign will include a media tour and a website designed for user generated content.
Studying the polarizing issue of gun violence in the United States has led me to investigate other issues as well – poverty, racial inequity, mass incarceration and failing school systems. This research is challenging me and motivating me to continue developing my voice as an advocate.
Why I Deserve a Scholarship to Attend
For years I have tried to address critical social issues using artistic means, but inevitably something would fall short: either the art or the issues were compromised. Becoming part of a network of innovative, experienced organizers would help me learn how to turn my own unique experiences into a more effective organizing approach.
I am interested in learning about the best uses of the Internet for organizing and I am eager to meet other people who are working to create change in the various fields that intersect with gun violence in the United States, particularly among urban youth.
Netroots Nation would provide an exceptional opportunity to learn from a network of leading political activists, in particular Netroots Nation’s group of progressive bloggers and film specialists. I would appreciate an opportunity to become a part of the dynamic forum that Netroots Nation provides, and to become a part of the bigger network, Democracy for America.
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Voting has closed for this years Netroots Nation Scholarship Competition
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