Here’s the category where you should post your political speech when it’s ready. Details about the assignment are available at the “Speech Video” tab at the top of the Communication351.umwblogs.org web site. See the “Video FAQ” tab for suggestions about filming, editing, and posting your speech video.
In class on Tuesday, February 8, a member of the UMW Division of Teaching and Learning Technologies will come to class to offer a brief tutorial and demonstration about posting your speech video. It’s really very easy.
O American… this is Osama
This is a letter that was delivered to me by some brothers, and they said that an
American wrote it in one of the chat forums, and the brothers transferred it until
it reached me. They wanted me to answer this American on his inquiry, I was
hesitating in the beginning, but the brothers said it seems that he is a man who
seeks truth, and we as Muslims have no objection in making others listen to the
truth, so let this American lend us his eyes and read these few humble words in
the identification of Osama…
This is the letter as it had reached me:
I’m an American, and I really don’t believe everything my government says. I was
moved by the way the media dealt with the death of Osama bin Ladin. I thought he
was hated by the Muslims because of his ways; at least, that’s what the officials told
us in our country. I realized after his death that he was loved by most of you! I want
to know exactly what Osama meant to you as Muslims. I want to know the truth
from you, and not from the media, because I simply do not trust the media. Please
be straightforward and honest. I really want to know the truth.
And this is the answer:
O American… I will tell you today about a man whose story is like a legend… and
he is a legend indeed… a legend that was witnessed by the whole world…
His name is Osama, his father’s is Muhammad, and his grandfather’s is Awadh.
So, his name is: Osama bin Muhammad bin Awadh bin Laden… His father
Muhammad came from Yemen. Yemen – if you do not know – is one of the oldest
lands on earth and from the best of civilizations; and it is the origin of Arabs.
The young Muhammad traveled from Yemen to Jeddah, in the west of the
Arabian Peninsula, working as a porter this self-made fellow promptly became
the biggest construction contractor in the Arabian Peninsula, he was known by
his straightforwardness, honesty, and persistence… He also made a strong
relationship with the ruling family there.
I do not know – O American – how much you know about Islam, but I am telling
you that Muslims have three holy mosques, which are: the Holy Mosque of
Mecca, the Holy Mosque of the Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) in
Medina, and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Palestine, Jerusalem. There is no other holy
place for Muslims other than these; I arranged them according to their
importance and greatness for Muslims… You may know the Ka’ba, that cubic
building which has a black cover in Mecca, if you looked around this simple
building which was built by Prophet Ibrahim and his first son Ismail, the
surrounding construction was built by Osama’s father “Muhammad”. If you
looked for pictures of the holy mosque of Messenger Muhammad (may all praise
by Allah be on him) in Medina and you see that beautiful superior building,Osama’s father “Muhammad” was honored with working on this building, and
when Al-Aqsa mosque in Palestine was burned by the Jews – some decades ago -
there was a contraction between the Arabs to rebuild the mosque, Osama’s
father “Muhammad” gained the honor to rebuild this mosque also.
I told you Osama’s father is from Yemen, but I did not tell you that his mother is
from Sham. So, he is son of Yemen and Sham; these two regions are from the
best civilizations in the world. So, Osama is the son of civilization and history,
but he was born in Hejaz. Hejaz, is the oracle of Muhammad (peace be upon
him), so here the mixture of civilization, history, and creed wove into a mixture
that is Osama’s soul.
Osama’s father’s weight and business became larger and larger to the point that
he gave the king of the Arabian Peninsula six months salaries of all the
government employees; this was after a financial crisis there. After that, he
gained a high status and great caliber between the kings and princes of the
Arabian Peninsula. From this house, from this family, from this honor and
dignity, and from this civilization and history: There was Osama.
Osama was raised in a good and rigid setting, his father – regardless of his wealth
and caliber – was very careful to raise his children on seriousness, hard work,
and persistence. So, Osama grew (up) as a religious, serious, and hard working
man unlike other rich people’s children who grew immoral due to excess of
wealth, status and caliber.
In his early youth there came about a great change in his life for the Red Soviet
army entered the Muslim land of Afghanistan. The news began to reach the land
of the two holy mosques – west of Arabian Peninsula – and Osama because of his
serious religious nature was following up this news as other youth there; but he
was not like them. Because Osama is a positive man and he could not be satisfied
by just following up the news. He went many times to Pakistan the neighbor of
Afghanistan. Finally, he decided to go to Afghanistan in ’82, that means before
(29) years of age, he was (25) at this time. He waged Jihad with the Afghani
Mujahideen against the Soviet (Union) until they beat them and kicked out the
Soviets from Afghanistan. As a result of this historic rout of the Soviets; their
country became Russia and a lot of countries disintegrated from it.
This was the first station in this young man’s life… then, a palatial dangerous
event happened that changed the face of the world. That was the entrance of the
American army into the land of the Arabian
Peninsula in ’91 in which is the
holiest places of Muslims. This was after Saddam Hussain entered Kuwait in ’90.
Osama was warning the rulers of the Arabian Peninsula from Saddam’s
intentions before this year, but they were not listening to him. Then, after
Saddam entered Kuwait, Osama – with his Mujahideen – offered the princes of
the Arabian Peninsula to kick Saddam out of Kuwait, but they preferred the
Americans and its ally’s armies to enter the Arabian Peninsula, oracle of
Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him). And Osama’s hunch was right
when he stated to the people that these armies have come to stay.
This event was truly the historic moment which lead to the change of events on
earth… this was the first time in history that a non-Muslim army entered the
land of the Two Holy Mosques, this army is enumerated by half a million fully
armed men, and this is the first time that the Arabian peninsula’s princes
n o n a d e w o l l a – e c a e p ( s ’ d a m m a h u M d n a e l c a r o f o d n a l e h t r e t n e o t y m r a m i l s u M
e be upon him) P ninsula… You were right – O American – when you said that you
do not believe your government, they said to the world that the 9/11 event is the
historic moment of change; but the truth is the 9/11 event is simply a reaction of
this big event which made the Arabian Peninsula under the occupation of a non-
Muslim army.
After the Soviets left Afghanistan in ’89, there were some clashes between the
Afghanis themselves. Osama preferred to not participate in this local war so he
went to Sudan, and he started some charity and political programs. But the
American government did not like the presence of Osama in Sudan, so it put the
Sudanese government under pressure to make Osama leave Sudan. When
Osama felt that he was undesirable there he returned back to Afghanistan, and
the old Mujahideen gathered around him again, then they waited until the
Taliban ruled the Afghan cities.
When Osama saw the honesty of these students (Taliban) and their
determination to make a real change in Afghanistan, then they made the
historical alliance with each other, he fought with the Taliban against other
Afghani groups till they succeeded in uniting most of Afghanistan, and Osama
became one of the best and nearest friends of the Taliban leaders and their
Commander “Mullah Omar”.
The whole Islamic world was angry because of the entrance of America into the
Arab lands, because this land is very special to them than any other land. The
s i q a r I f l a h a d n a n o i l l i m a n a h t e r o m g n i l l i k d n a q a r I n i a c i r e m A f o e c n e r e f r e t nia
half million (of whom) were children – and also the American assistance to the
Jews in Palestine with money and arms had the most effect on Osama and his
friends who went out to liberate Afghanistan from the Soviets and then they
realized that America is fighting them in the dark.
Then they declared war on it, also they realized that America is behind all the
calamities of the Muslims. So, Osama announced that America should leave the
Arab lands.
America worked on chasing the Mujahideen everywhere, it was also ordering
Arab countries’ to catch anyone who returned from Afghanistan and place them
in prisons and excruciate them badly.
A lot of wars started between Muslims against others in Bosnia, Chechnya,
Kosovo, Sudan, Somalia, Philippine, China, and Kashmir; the Muslims there
were oppressed and Osama was helping all these Muslims (by) sending them
men and money so they can be delivered from injustice and despotism. What he
did made him famous and well known amongst all Muslims.
Osama and his group realized that America was the main reason for most of the
trouble of Muslims because it supports the dictator regimes in Muslim countries’. Also, because it corrupts the people in charge in the Muslim world,
and preventing these countries from development and advancement. America’s
biggest crime is the adapting of the Jewish bands in Palestine: They provided
them money and advanced arms to kill Muslims there, and Palestine – like the
Arabian Peninsula – is very special to Muslims.
Arabs lived in Palestine before Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was born, you may
know – from your holy book – that Ibrahim emigrated from Iraq to Palestine and
the Arabs were already there, then he begot Ismail and Isaac, and Isaac begot
Jacob, this Jacob is “Israel” (peace be upon all the Prophets of Allah). Jacob
immigrated to Egypt and he stayed with his descendants there for four hundred
years, then they left it under the leadership of Moses (peace be upon him) to the
land of Labyrinth in Siena and they stayed there for forty years. Then the
children of Israel entered the land of Palestine and they expelled the Arabs. As
Muslims, we believe that at that time the children of Israel deserved the blessed
land of Palestine because the Arabs were heathens and the children of Israel
believed in Allah, the Creator.
The children of Israel stayed in Palestine for centuries, and then Allah sent
Jesus, the son of Mary (peace be upon him) and the Jews disbelieved in him and
oppressed his followers. Then Allah decreed that the followers of Jesus loot the
land of Palestine from the Jews because they renounced the religion of Moses
and did not believe in Jesus (peace be upon them). Palestine stayed under the
rule of the followers of Jesus – who quickly changed the constitution of Allah -
until the Arabs who followed Muhammad (peace be upon him) took back
Palestine from the Romans. Then it remained under the rule of Muslims for
thirteen centuries. And when Muslims strayed away from their religion and the
instructions of the Prophet, Allah imposed the British-French occupation upon
them, and Britain took Palestine, but the Muslims did not revise themselves and
return back to their religion. So Allah punished them by dominating the blessed
land with the most hateful and antagonizing people towards them: the Jews.
The land of Palestine was not taken from the Muslims except because they
strayed away from the instructions of their religion, and this was realized by the
prudent Muslims, and they started calling the people to return back to their
religion so that they could free Palestine. A lot of Muslim scholars scarified
themselves in this cause, Osama bin Laden was one of these who called the
Muslims to return back to the original instructions of the Islamic religion, so that
Palestine returns back to the Muslims anew.
This historical introduction is important (in order) to know the beliefs of Osama
and his thoughts and ideology. I do not know – O American – if you are following
the news of Osama; but I will remind you of his historical promise after the event
of 9/11 when he said: “I swear by Almighty Allah who raised the heavens
without any pillars, that America will not dream of living in security before we
experience security in Palestine and not before all the infidel armies have left the
land of Muhammad, peace be upon him”. And the one who knows Osama’s
history, he will realize that Osama lived to abide (by) his promise.
They are telling you that Osama is a terrorist, and we do not deny this, what we deny is the meaning of terrorism that they have not define yet!! America
conducted war on: Japan, Germany, and the Soviet (Union). Imagine that Japan
occupied California, Washington, Seattle, and Arizona. What will you do!! If
Germany occupied Washington D.C and Florida or if the Soviets occupied
Georgia, New York, and Virginia; are you going to stay at home and wait until
they go out whenever they want!! What if some Americans resisted the Japanese
occupation or Germans’ Hitlerism occupation or Soviet occupation!! Are the
ones fighting them from (among) the Americans, terrorists?! What if some
Americans performed bomb blasts inside Japan or Germany or Soviet (Union)
after these occupations!! Will this be considered terrorism?!
We do not deny that Osama is a terrorist, he terrorized his enemies indeed; but
the question is: Why did Osama become a terrorist!!
Let me tell you a little about Osama’s personality… he was a quiet natured man,
he talked little, he laughed little, very shy, very generous, limitlessly modest.
Although he was a rich man but he lived like the poor people, he ate like them,
slept like them, when you would talk to him, he would listen to you until you
would feel that you are his only friend, tender hearted; he liked poetry,
literature, and reading, he loved riding horses, anybody who sat with him liked
him even if they were his enemy due to his politeness and respect for others. And
on top of all of this, he was smart having inherited it from his uncles, he was
brave having inherited it from his civilization origin, and he was faithful having
inherited it from his motherland.
These are some of the qualities of Osama, and they are not even an inch bit
exaggerated, and those who saw him and stayed with him and met him are
witness to these qualities… So, stay with me now to understand: How is it
possible for someone with these qualities to become a terrorist!!
As I told you: Osama was born in the Arabian Peninsula, and the people of this
land are from the greatest lovers of freedom. There is no nation on the face of
this earth who loves freedom like this nation, and that is why the people of the
Arabian Peninsula preferred to live in its deserts for tens of centuries rather
than migrating to the nearby developed cities. That’s because they do not like to
act under the rule of a king or an emperor. They lived free for long centuries in a
land with scarce water, vegetation and animals, and due to this rugged and harsh
environment: these people have developed a sort of pride and defiance and self
respect, such that they cannot accept to be enslaved or ruled over or politicized.
Throughout history they were never ruled by a king or commander, except after
the inspiration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and he ruled them
with the religion, and had it not been for religion no one would have succeeded in
ruling over them for the people of this land have not given in to the rule of
anyone except the rule of Allah the Almighty.
This background is necessary to understand the level of hatred of the people of
the Arabian Peninsula generally – and Osama especially – towards the American
army that has soiled their land and occupied their country, and perhaps you
(may) know the name of the Arabian Peninsula by “The Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia” attributed to the family of “Al-Saud”, that was unified by the father of the current King – named Abd al-Aziz – this Peninsula, under his rule by the
power of the sword after he declared his intention of ruling it with Islam. So the
people of the Peninsula fought with him to unify it under the banner of religion.
But then they discovered that he was supported by the British, and then the
Americans, and then his sons allowed the American armies to enter the Arabian
Peninsula under the pre**** of freeing Kuwait. Thus, his betrayal to the banner
of the religion and that of his sons became apparent.
Osama – O American – declared war upon your country for the following major
reasons:
First: Its sponsorship of the criminal Jewish state in Palestine.
Second: Occupation of the Arabian Peninsula and the land of the Islamic
revelation.
Third: Fighting Muslims in several Muslim lands.
Fourth: Supporting the dictator governments in the Islamic lands.
Fifth: Fighting against Islam itself and trying to spread opposing methodologies
in the Islamic lands and trying to corrupt the manners and values of Muslims.
Sixth: The succeeding American governments were the reason for the death of
millions of Muslims for the past thirty years.
These are the major reason that made this delicate, calm, humble, modest man
turn into a dangerous and prominent terrorist, and into a man of war and
resistance of a unique level… and any single reason from these reasons is enough
to change the life of a man who possesses even a tiny bit of honor, then how
about all these reason together?
The matter is not as it has been told to you through your media, for
the truth is that most of the Muslims on earth hate the American government,
and hate its policies and curse it day and night, and what you see on the
television of support of the American government in the Arab countries is either
fabricated, or is through agents who are deceiving their nations, for they do not
represent the Muslims, and most of them are not Muslims. There are some
atheists, opportunists and careerists in the Islamic countries as there are in
America – maybe on a greater scale – and these have the media, and money and
control, and they have not come to possess it except through the aid of the
American government.
You ask about the reality of what Osama means to us, then I shall tell you on behalf of most of the Muslims on earth:
Osama represents the ancient Islamic culture blended with the greatness of
Islam… Osama is the living conscience of Muslims and the soul of freedom
inspiring the Islamic Ummah anew…
Osama – O American – is the model of truth that fought oppression through the
passage of history… Osama – O American – is a man who gathered the political
benefits and presented it for the service of the just Muslim causes, for he is like
George Washington who unified America and led the fight against Britain, and
he is like Lincoln who freed the slaves in America and united the north and
south, and he is like Martin Luther who fought for the freedom of the negroes in
America…
But Osama is different from these because he is a Muslim who fights and plans
for his methodology and religion, and is different from them in that he fights for
a global freedom and not for a nationality or local race or region, and is different
from them in that his enemies are: All the tyrant governments that oppress their
nation or other nations in the world, and if you see who fought Osama, then you
would see how the governments famous for oppressing their people and stealing
the riches of the nations allied against him, for Osama revealed all of these
tyrants and wanted the people to stand up and demand their true rights, and this
is what made most of the governments of the earth chase him and try to silence
his voice so that people remain in their slumber and they (would) be at liberty
for their oppression and tyranny and steal the riches of the nations.
Osama – O American – spent his life in order to unify the Muslims, and in order
to free them from the rope of slavery placed upon their necks by the
governments, those governments that are allied to the successive governments of
America… Osama fought for the honor of the Muslims and their religion…
Osama – O American – is the example of truthfulness and purity and the right
jealousy for the human values, that truth which you know and other Americans
know is practically nonexistent with the policy of the White House, and with the
governments of the east and west on this earth…
Osama – O American – was the last beautiful thing that passed away from the
face of the earth… I say beautiful because the governments of earth have
changed the truth, and decorated the lies, and has made politics into cunning,
deceit and personal gains, whereas Osama returned politics to its true, real
meaning with the knowledgeable ones and those with understanding, for politics
to him was: returning the rights to the deserving, and truth and trustworthiness,
and honor, and giving and disassociation from the money of people and
sacrificing in the way of fulfilling their interests… perhaps – O American – you
might not know the meaning of most of these words, and we do not blame you,
because you live in an environment drowned in self-centeredness and self-love
and phony and concealed oppression in the form of capitalism, and silent
transgression in the name of democracy…
I do not know how cultured you are, and I do not know if you understand most
of what I wrote, but I cannot write about Osama except with these lofty meanings, because he was a lofty man who lived in a time in which lofty virtues
had fallen, for he is from the era of the noble knights, and from the era of
honorable fighters and from the era of loyal commanders
Osama – O American – is all those virtues that your government is fighting on
earth… he is all what your wretched government claims and is not… Osama is
the manners that your country’s leaders claim and would not tolerate to be
associated with out in public… Osama is the nobility that you read about in the
books of history…
What does Osama mean for the Muslims!!
Osama – O American – is the group of thousands of people who died in order to
enable a better life for others, and sacrificed their most precious things so that
those after them get the best of what they deserve… Osama – O American – is the
soul of this Ummah and its living pulse that took form in a tall and lean figure!
Osama – O American – is the voice of truth at a time of corruption, and the voice
of honor at a time of vanity and the voice of loftiness at a time of mediocrity…
Osama is the memory of man at a time of forgetfulness…. Osama is the beating
heart on the deathbed of the sons of man.
Every name has a meaning in its own cultural history, and Osama in our Arabic
culture means: Lion, and this historic oath that was reflected in the corners of
earth was nothing but a groan of this lion, after which he returned to his lair in
the caves of Tora Bora and mountains of Suleiman and Hindu Kush, waiting to
attack his prey, and perhaps you know that the lion does not roar a lot and does
not produce sounds except a little, before pouncing on its prey and just like that
Osama, his words were less and his speeches few…
Osama – O American – is the lion of Islam, who would not let the rats climb over
his body, and who if roared, they would run without looking behind… The name
of Osama was enough to terrorize every wolf or fox who wanted to dive at the
flesh of the sons of man.
O American, tell those behind you from the people of your nation that Osama is
alive in the heart of every free Muslim, and that his historic oath is engraved into
the hearts of the Muslims and that peace is the farthest from Americans now,
and that their coming days will be decisive in the history of their nations, for the
sons of Osama and his brothers have decided to end the history of America
forever…
Perhaps – O American – you are astonished by this statement and you have asked
only to know, while you are aware that your country has of material ability such
power that makes it awed in earth, but – O American – you do not know the
reality of creed if it blends with the heart of the believer, for fighting is not
weapons, and it is not ammunition, instead what directs the drum of victory is:
the heart of men.
Osama – O American – represents the power of Islam that ruled the earth for
more than 1200 years, and there was no America known to the old world, and America was not found by Columbus except after he got the maps that were
drawn but the Muslim scholars of Andalusia and Italy, so your presence in
America is due to some of the old Muslim scholars that resulted in the
renaissance in Europe and America, that renaissance that has started blurring
the fact that it was taken from the Islamic culture…
Osama – O American – came to remind the Muslims of their culture, and remind
them of their glory, and remind them of their history, and to say to them, return
to your religion to gain back your real status amongst the nations of the world,
for the Ummah of Islam was not created except to lead humanity, and was not
brought into existence except to become dominant upon all the nations, and
Allah the Almighty decided in His book which He revealed to Muhammad (peace
be upon him) this truth, in the most profound and clear way when He said: “It is
He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it
over all religion.” He said it in these clear words in three places in the Quran
assuring this eternal reality.
Osama – O American – is a new turning point in the history of earth, for Osama
has awakened the conscience of Islam in the hearts of the Muslims after a long
slumber, and he painted with his blood a frame of glory that was about to be
wiped off from the life of the Muslims… Do you know – O American – that the
Muslims did not accept condolence in Osama!! Perhaps – O American – you will
be shocked to know if I tell you that many Muslims in several lands
congratulated each other on the martyrdom of Osama, and that some of them
distributed sweets amongst the people!! Do you understand the meaning of
distributing sweets on the death of the most beloved people to their heart!
If it was in my hand, I would have sacrificed my life and all my sons so that
Osama would live amongst us, but I, until now, have not shed a single tear on
Osama, and if I cry, I cry on myself for not having achieved what Osama
achieved… many people talk about their cause and rights, but only a very few of
these people are ready to die for those rights, and Osama – O American – was not
only prepared to die for them, he was wishing for it every moment, for death in
the way of creed is from the greatest of what a true believer wants in his belief…
Perhaps I have prolonged upon you this talk, but I have not mentioned except
the little of little about Osama and what Osama means for the Muslims, and if I
knew that you would not get bored I would have made you read for several
continuous days about Osama and what Osama meant and the reality of
Osama… and perhaps I may summarize in these few expressive words and call
you to reflect upon them excessively…
The culture of truth and human loftiness means – Osama…
Written by
Sheikh Husain Bin Mahmoud
Comment on Laila’s video: This was a very good issue to tackle. I know firsthand how a lack of foreign languages severely limits our curriculum. A friend of mine really wanted to attend UMW but couldn’t because his major was Russian and we unfortunately don’t offer it as a course. Your background information was also tremendously helpful in shaping how the current job market is in desperate need of foreign language speakers. Your solution was also very well done. Having a dorm designated to be a “foreign language” dorm would be a great addition to our campus and greatly help to expand the diversity of our campus. You did however neglect to mention the many other foreign language courses offered at UMW such as Spanish, German, Italian, and Greek. Though they might be standard to most universities, it is still a substantial offering that shouldn’t be overlooked. Though in the end I totally agree with you that we should increase the amount and quality of our foreign language programs. Not only to increase the level of educational standards here at UMW, but also to prepare students for a more interconnected world.
Comment on Kenny’s video: I really liked what you were going for with the overall direction of your video. The setting was classy and mature (the fireplace, wine, and the music for example) which I believe was necessary to get the point across about increasing frat life at UMW, especially if you wanted to show fraternities in a positive light. You used your own experience of being in a fraternity which helped to make the issue a personal one, yet you also stressed the importance of fraternity life with our surrounding community. I think it would have greatly helped your case if you would have talked about specific projects you might have worked on which helped strengthen (or in our case build) a bond with the community. I also found it very convincing how you mentioned that we’re the only school in Virginia without Greek life and the only way we can compete is to include it. While visiting other colleges, I have noticed a huge emphasis on Greek life, but not so much on the aspect of the surrounding community, just more a school spirit thing. While I agree that increasing our Greek life on campus could definitely have its benefits, the hazing and rambunctious partying you mentioned is still a stigma of frats that is hard to get over. All in all I really enjoyed your video and your representation of Greek life as something more than just an excuse for partying and hazing new recruits. Well done, bro!
Comment on McKenna’s video: You’re video was very well done. I am not a commuter student so it never occurred to me that the limited parking faced by students who live off campus also extends to those that commute as well. You communicated this point well by walking us through a real life example of you trying to find parking before being late to class. The fact that you systematically went all over campus looking for available parking illustrated your point well. You also made good use of numbers, I had no idea that a good portion of student’s lived off campus and that there were little more 200 spots open specifically for commuters. The only thing I call into question is of the students who do live off-campus (say either residences of Fredericksburg or occupants of near-by homes) how many actually drive to campus? I know many people who do not live on campus but live within walking distance, so maybe while the parking is limited it might not call for a solution to completely take away parking from student’s who live on campus. I do however agree with you that student’s who live on campus don’t really have a need for driving to class anyway, so I do see your solution as a viable especially since the university wouldn’t have to use funding to build more parking, just give it to the one’s who deserve it the most. Very entertaining and informative, great job!
In response to Kenny Cunningham’s Speech Video: First off, the fireplace background and colonial-style music are a very nice touch. I think a lot of people feel the same way that you do about Mary Wash, that it lacks a bit of school spirit. As well, many upperclassmen feel the barrier between residents of Fredericksburg and Mary Wash students. Since Greek Life is the option you’d like to take to make our ties better with the community, I think your video should’ve mentioned specific ways it would help our relationship with them. You mention fundraisers, but for what? I think specific examples would give the community more of a reason to support Greek Life. Also, since we technically do have one fraternity on campus, you should have mentioned why that is lacking in its membership/activities. If you pitch Greek Life on campus to the head honchos at Mary Wash, they might respond with “We have a fraternity, what’s wrong with what we’ve already got?” It will strengthen your argument if you do more research on how the very small bit of Greek Life is insufficient as of now. However, I think all students would agree that we need more school spirit. Plus, more students equals more money put back into the Fredericksburg economy, which I’m sure the residents of Fred would like. Go Eagles! And great video Kenny!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67oGTjVLNz0
[This is in response Alex Smith's comment on my political speech video]: I’m so glad you agree with me on my video! It really became apparent to me how few spots are available for commuters when I was driving around making a video about it. I had NO idea that only ONE of the parking floors was reserved for Commuters, when two (and the outside parking lot) are reserved for on-campus students. That makes absolutely no sense to me. Also, I think that our videos would go very well together. I’m a very visual person, and so I figured driving around and actually showing people this issue would be more effective than just giving facts. I gave a few important facts in the end to support my point, but I think when people watch your video as well, that will completely support our point. I like your comment on how commuters “outnumber” faculty and residents, that really stuck out to me as a good soundbite. Thanks for the comment!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjK05v_1sAk&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1
campus dining
Okay technology hates me so sorry for this being late
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoSvjhTRFe8
Okay, technology hates me so sorry for this being late.
I shot this in a blog style because the target audience is the student body of Mary Washington.
This is my video….only because I have been sick this week with fevers and cough. If it wasn’t obvious during my presentation Tuesday hooray! But it is super obvious on camera. I just feel like I need to put up a video for now….this might change, but it will be on the same issue.
oh and you need to click my name…and then it will come up in the post below, I will get better at this
Yes! Glad to see someone else addressing this issue in this class! I myself being a commuter student am also doing my political speech on the lack of commuter parking and unfair distribution of allocated spaces (also the ticket issue). I opted for sort of a “fireside chat” theme in my presentation but I really liked your on the spot/person on the go perspective. Alot of your scenes, sadly looked very familiar to me. I liked your use of signs to emphasize the reality of this huge problem and also how instead of walking around campus, you drove and thus put us in your shoes as you search vainly for a parking space. I can really feel your pain and so should anyone else who watches this video. Nice job!
Petition for Increased Commuter Parking Spots from McKenna Lehman on Vimeo.