BCHS Culture Club

A Call to Action

Wed, 25 Feb 2004 07:39:13 GMT

Nation-Wide Student Protest - March 19th 2004

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to let you know about the nation-wide student protest planned for March 19th, 2004, in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the war in Iraq. Please read the call to action, and if you are interested, forward it along to anyone and everyone who might be willing to participate in a demonstration as well. The SDP's website is http://sdp.webhop.net

Thanks!

EDIT: Sorry I didn't make this clear earlier.

The protest on the 19th is a *student* protest, not meant to detract from the events of the 20th. It is a show of student solidarity against the War in Iraq and in expression of our discontent with the state of the union. We are encouraging all students who are participate in the events of the 19th to attend protests on the 20th as well.

The idea is to get demonstrations on college campuses where they have thus far been lacking in strength and numbers.

If you are reading this message, it is because your friends and peers have called on you to stand up and help them take back this country's democracy. Keep reading. A few minutes of your time is all they're asking; a few minutes to help change the world.

A generation ago, this country went through a time of great crisis. The turbulent years of the 60's and 70's were a period of unparalleled social change, of progression towards equality and justice, but that change did not come easily. The nation was divided by ethnic and political strife; it was wracked by the burden of a war overseas and paralyzed with fear at home. The very foundations of our democracy were threatened. During these times it was the students who came forward and took the lead in the battle for peace, freedom, and social justice. And they were victorious.

Once again our nation has entered a period of great peril. The enemy, as you have probably heard, is terror; at any rate, that is what all of our problems are being blamed on. And in a way, the government war hawks and media yes-men are exactly right - our deadliest enemy is terror. But terror is not an old man with a turban sitting in some cave plotting our doom; terror is not some second-rate dictator living in a hole - terror is when the government has the power to blacklist and monitor citizens guilty of peacefully exercising their civil liberties; terror is when law enforcement officials can enter your house any time they want, without warrant or reason; terror is when the government can drop bombs half-way around the world under false and fabricated pretexts and remain unquestioned; terror is ten thousand dead civilians in Iraq and counting. Terror is when the people are made silent.

We, the present generation of students in this country, have gone silent long enough. It is time to speak out for what we believe in and to make our demands heard! Do any of us really want to live in the world George W. Bush is giving us? We think it is time to let him know our answer. An organized and active student population is a force to be reckoned with - an organized and active student population that is perpetually connected to the Internet is the fascist's worst nightmare. This message is to let you know that you are not powerless, that change is still possible, and that it is not too late to make yourself heard! It is time to bring democracy back to the quad - and that is why the Students for Democracy and Peace are issuing a call to action: on Friday the 19th of March we are organizing a nation-wide student strike of classes and a day of non-violent demonstration to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the War in Iraq. It is time to let the political establishment know that we will no longer be ignored.

Visit us online (http://sdp.webhop.net) for more information about what you can do to help. Tell your friends, tell your professors, tell your fellow students, but most importantly, forward this message to everyone you know; and ask them, in turn, to do the same. The will to act, the desire for change, lies within every concerned student - but the success of this movement depends on organized and effective communication. The means for change are at our disposal. You are already connected to the Internet if you are reading this - now use it.

The time to act is now!

War is not Peace! Freedom is not Slavery! Ignorance is not Strength!
But Apathy is Atrocity!

Spread the word.

Students for Democracy and Peace
http://sdp.webhop.net/Action/emailaction.htm

(x-posted to antiwar, coldreason, asheville, cultureclub, democrats, iwishforpeace, progressives, protest, radaware, socialists, war_is_over, warprotest, youth_advocates)

MOVE OUT

Thu, 18 Sep 2003 03:53:30 GMT

We've moved to blackboard in order to get more features. I hope that everyone signs on. We're called 'cultureclub' on there. We should be able to get some more discussion on there.

blackboard.elmbrook.k12.wi.us

agenda for meeting on friday

Wed, 10 Sep 2003 02:31:54 GMT

1. make and post signs
2. announcements
3. let them vote on where we're going in chicago and when. based on our predetermined choices
4. get e-mails. shirt sizes. screennames
5. who has paid user fees?

we can put 3-5 all on one sheet

article

Thu, 31 Jul 2003 03:44:11 GMT

Here is a report of Columbia's anti-union defamation. Recently, Columbian labor leaders have attempted to organize a consumer ban on Coca Cola products because of their heinous actions against Union workers.

summer update

Mon, 21 Jul 2003 23:54:28 GMT

Culture Club Summer Update
What We're Doing Next Year!

During conversations during the Teacher Luncheon, Culture Club Members assembled an amazing list of Ideas for the club next year. With an agenda and good leadership, Culture Club will be an extremely active club for the coming years. This post will have a list of all of the ideas assembled, the activities we will participate in during the school year (which is fast approaching) and many other tidbits. I hope that you read these lists (which are still only written on napkins) and get ready to get your culture on for the next year. Leave as much feedback as you can. Sorry for being so long about this, I was in Honduras and couldn't post.

Next year, the Exec Board Members will be Nythia, Liana, Jared, and Nayna, I believe.

Long List of Ideas for Activities:
The List has some entries with boxes or quotes around them. I tried to replicate the list as closely as possible.
Teacher Luncheon: every month.
Bake Sales
Speakers at Schools - note: I, personally, don't want an assembly because of assembles are nuts. If we have speakers, we'll pull kids from their English classes. However, this is just my prejudice.
Shades of Grey - note: this will be the same as the fallen "speak out!" Jane thinks that we should do this once a month and a group of CC members should put them on. I don't know if attendance should be mandatory or not. I'd like them to be more debate-oriented.
[Cultural Assembly]
Lunch Information Stand - Pamphlets
All Worlds Dance
Art Gallery
"perspectives
Ridiculous Goat
Middle/Elementary School Cultural Assembly
BOOGIE DOWN
Imax "Evening Downtown" - I think this would be good because it would show the CC members what Milwaukee has to offer culturally
Documentary Nights
Booklets of Recipes for Money

I decided that It was incredibly important to come out of the gates strong. Therefore, during the brainstorming, I devised an agenda for the first few meetings.
1st week of school: Announce Chicago Trip
1st Meeting: organize trip, names, e-mails, screenames, phone numbers, vote t-shirt design.
2nd Meeting: order t-shirts (bring money), Rummage Sale, Done w/ Chicago Trip, Lunch information Stand.
Possible things we can do in Chicago:
Devon Street
China Town
Ethiopian
Bha'i Temple
Leave at 8 on Friday.

Despite how organized we may seem right now, we're extremely flexible and any comments you members have will be very welcome.

Jane also wrote down a possible yearly schedule that would achieve great results if we were to adhere to it. However, it is flexible and welcome to comments. It begins with a list of things that we're going to do for money followed by a month-by-month synopsis of our projected activities.

$
-Teacher Luncheon
-Recipes
-Rummage Sale (beginning of year)
*Chicago - 1st Semester
*Shades of Grey/Documentary Nights
*Movies, Restraunts, Imax

Aug- Table at Registration
Sep - Shades of Grey (SOG), Plan Chicago, T-Shirts
Oct - SOG, Rummage Sale, Goat
Nov- SOG, Continue Goat,
Dec- SOG, bake sale
Jan- SOG
Feb- Assembly, SOG
Mar- SOG, speaker
Apr- SOG
May- SOG, boogie down

As you can see, our involvment is largely based on Shades of Grey. It will be the main activity in CC and will be the base level of involvement for the club. While this ca lender is far from complete and we will no doubt add a lot to it, it is a start and enough to keep people interested and give us a mission.

Speaking of Mission: We need to draft a mission statement. Last year, we were without purpose and I intend to not allow that to set a precedent. Think of things that we do and why.

That concludes the assorted notes from the last few days of CC. Now, I'll post some things that might keep you guys busy investigating. I know how easy it is to get bored during the summer. I'll also ask for some people to volunteer to put together the Culture Club desk at Registration.

Books- I had the idea of asking some of the English teachers for books that would be good for a CC reading list. Perhaps a CC book club? Perhaps some SOGs will have prerequisite reading? Right now, I can only tell of a few that make you think about cultural differences and try to look at the world objectively.
Gandhi - William L. Schrier - Follows Gandhi. Incredible journalistic reporting.
Life of Pi - Yann Martel - Not as related as the others, but an interesting read and a good story.
Snows Falling on Ceaders - David Gutterson - You've all heard of this one
People's History of the United States - Howard Zinn - American History through the eyes of the losers.
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down - Anne Fadiman - A book about the Hmong population adjusting from the stone age to America. We have Lots of Hmong in Milwaukee and I think it'll be good reading for people.
That's all I got right now - Reply with Any Additions.

I have a little music, but not much. These are just the ones from my personal collection.
Manu Chao - My Favorite; French-Spanish-English cross-genre music. He used to be in Mano Negro. He rocks.
Putamayo - This isn't an artist, but a company that collects all of the music from a region and puts the best on a CD. I listened to the Columbia one and it was excellent.
Sierra Maestra - Cuban. I love this band.
Tabla Beat Science - Electro-Hindi Music. They're incredible.
King Tubby - real Slow Jamaican Dub.
Los Lobos - Mexican rock band out of L. A.

I have some web sites, however and they'll just make for good reading.
ad busters, an anti-consumerism page.
opensecrets: shows who contributes money to politicians.
bureau of labor statistics: keeps you updated on the workers
New York Times: Objective reporting.
Guardian Unlimited: It's kind of sick that I have to go to other countries newspapers to find out what's going on in mine.
American Prospect: Good Articles. Left-of-Center

It is important that we get a lot of feedback. Reply with anything that crosses your mind.

Mon, 23 Jun 2003 22:56:47 GMT

affirmative action anyone?

Fri, 04 Apr 2003 06:55:36 GMT

how do we feel about anti-sodomy laws?

meeting on thursday morning

Mon, 31 Mar 2003 00:38:11 GMT

There will be a meeting on thursday morning to discuss the plausability of running the Boogie Down through the school.
A consensus will be taken of the members present. I need someone to run the meeting because I will probably not be there. I think it should be Nythia because she attended the last meeting and seems excited about this. Liana could as well. It dosn't matter.

There will be a series of votes:

1. Should we have it at school?
Ramifications - If we vote yes, then we have to jump through hoops in order to get the thing off the ground. People get working on feldman at that second. Proceed to vote 4.
If we vote no, then we might not be able to put Culture Club's name on it. Proceed to the next vote.
2. Should it be sponsered by Culture Club?
Ramifications - If we vote yes, then we will still have residual hoops to jump through in order to put on the show. Proceed to next vote.
If we vote no, then we can't talk about it anymore and it's a dead idea. People who are in culture club may be involved, but their help will not be reqired. This is in order to curb any possible contreversy. Proceed to next vote.
3. Where should we have it?
Possible - Wirth Park, City Hall, ??? I like Wirth Park.
4. Where should the money go?
Possible- South Africa or Zimbabwe.
5. When should it be?
Possible - Fridays or Saturdays in late may.
6. Get people going!

Interesting

Thu, 27 Mar 2003 05:01:41 GMT

Halliburton has been awarded the contract to rebuild Iraqu's oil fields. This is the same company who made major contributions to the republican party, and who's ex-ceo was Dick Cheney (the vice president).

Discuss.

Meetings

Tue, 25 Mar 2003 12:40:28 GMT

There will be a Speak Out! on Sexual Harassment after school Wednesday in the closed study hall. I encourage everyone to come and discuss this issue.

There will be a mandatory meeting for all Culture Club members on Friday in the closed study hall room before school on Friday. If you are absent without a reasonable excuse, you're off Culture Club.

Inspiration Strikes at Midnight

Mon, 24 Mar 2003 06:46:18 GMT

I can't wait. I need this to come out now. I was thinking of my fantasy announcement for the Culture Club fundraiser boogie-down. I think this is it.

"Hey everybody. Culture Club is organizing a fundraiser on we need to choose a date in the we need to choose a location. I hope that everyone can come out. Entry is we need to choose a price . Because we're just trying to cover costs, all of the remaining money will go to we need to choose an organization , an organization that assists in rebuilding schools in Baghdad. Now many of you may be thinking that this is anti-war. But, really it's something that everyone can support and that is the education of underprivileged children. The day is going to be an extremely positive event. First of all, there will be a reception with the jazz band playing and different foods from other cultures available for purchase. After that, bands from our school and others will play. We will have tryouts on we need to choose a date, so get practicing. Contact me or go to www.livejournal.com/community/culture club for a tryout form. You can also e-mail my school account at c4rudolj@elmbrook.k12.wi.us. After the bands play, there will be a boogie down dance party. I'll DJ and will play some songs other than "tootsie roll" and I guarantee, there won't be any Nelly. I'll probably, in the nature of the entire event, bust out some songs that come from different cultures, but everything will allow you to get down. I promise. If you have any song suggestions, go to the culture club web site or contact me at my e-mail. I'll be taking requests up to a week in advance. Because you will be able to get down so hard, you will be able to purchase these "I boogied-down for Iraqi children" t-shirts. The T-shirts will cost 10 dollars, most of which will go to we need to choose an organization. So come on out to we need to choose a location from we need to choose a time and see the music. Come early so you can get the good food and stay late so you can enjoy the great tunes. I thank you for your time and encourage everyone to come out and boogie down with us."

First of all, we need to think of a name for it. I was thinking "The BCHS Culture Club Boogie Down for Iraqi Children."
Secondly, we need to decide on a date.
Third, we need to see if it can happen. Talk to administration. We can have parent chaperones.
Forth, we need everyone involved in promoting it. Posters. Announcements.
Fifth, we need everyone making food, t-shirts. I'm going to buy a mixer and I think that I can borrow a PA from Erich.
Sixth, we need the lackeys on CC to decorate the area and bring in their couches.
Eight, we need to do this thing!

Extra Ideas:
Setting up booths that hand out informational material.
Having a chill out room with ambient music playing and couches everywhere.
Having couches everywhere.

I need everyone's input on this thing and we need to get going on it NOW. There WILL be a meeting very soon. Look to the announcements If you haven't joined CC yet and would like to help out with this, let me know and you can join. Just pay your user fees. Please let me know what you think about this!

cc idea

Mon, 24 Mar 2003 04:21:48 GMT

for raising money:

At my old school, there was a fundraiser for "Crayons to Computers," an organization that gives money to under funded schools in Cincinnati. In two weeks, they raised 5,500 dollars. I think if we were to use their same methods, then we could get something done and get some money and aid to people that need it (has anyone heard of someone pledging money to starving Iraqi people?).

The way that they did this was by having teachers doing crazy things. As they got more money, the teachers would do more crazy things. My friend e-mailed this to me:
"400, Mr felczan would dress up like tigger
500, mrs rotsching would get cornrows
700, lampe would dye his mustache and hair purple
850, ryan dressing up as a clown
1000, robinson in a chicken suit doing the chicken dance with the student body
1200, leal dressed as hulk hogan
1500, mr burke in a kilt playing the bagpipes
1800, mr siler dressed as britney spears
2100, barre bros getting pied in the face by football captains
2500, ballard dressing like prom queen barbie
3000, lehman shaving his beard
3500, furlong dressing like a ballerina
4500, killean getting his ear pierced in front of the school
5000, baker getting his head shaved to a mohawk in front of the school"

I don't know if this would infringe on the contract situation, but I think it'd be an incredible thing to do and everyone would enjoy it. It'd raise lots of money from students that want to get their teachers doing crap. I think that this would be incredible. By the time I leave highschool, I want culture club to do enough that it merits at least one assembly. This is just an idea to get us there. Any ideas on things that teachers could do would be amusing even if we don't do this.

Should there be a meeting on Friday? I think there should.

grade weighting

Tue, 18 Mar 2003 00:43:44 GMT

why dosn't our school adopt a grade weighting policy in which students get to choose how their grades are weighted. Students would be able to benefit themselves the most and allow them to be more competitive when applying for college. Other than possible complications with class rank, what are possible complications with helping students as much as they can?

Playing the System

Mon, 17 Mar 2003 03:50:07 GMT

1. what is the easiest, yet best looking possible 4-year schedule at BC?
2. Who are the most liberal and conservative teachers?
3. Rate all of your teachers on a scale of 1-10.

Bush's Credability Gap

Wed, 05 Mar 2003 16:32:41 GMT

Read and Respond

Read and Resonse

Wed, 05 Mar 2003 16:28:00 GMT

Read this and Reply

drug dogs

Thu, 20 Feb 2003 00:33:56 GMT

so what does everyone think about the drug dogs?

Eastern World Studies

Fri, 24 Jan 2003 06:26:41 GMT

I'd personally like to take this course and 12 people need to sign up for it to get it off the ground. So, if you have a free hour, use it for Eastern World Studies. It'll be more useful in your life than Advanced Physics. I guarantee.

sexual harassment

Tue, 14 Jan 2003 04:18:45 GMT

There will be a Speak Out! concerning sexual harassment Wednesday after school in the cafateria. You might want to read-up on it because it's a very tricky issue. I hope that everyone comes and brings their opinions, yet i fear that it might end in a simple denouncement of the dilemna.

This will not be this wednsday, but an upcoming wednesday. I hope that lots of people don't show up to find nothing. Our lack of advisors has caused this dilemna. I'll let you guys know when it actually happens.

Tue, 24 Dec 2002 06:40:59 GMT

what happened to making culture club about more than just cultural diversity?

R-E-C-Y-C-L-E Recycle

Mon, 16 Dec 2002 03:33:57 GMT

i was thinking about organizing a school-wide recycling program becuase right now everyone is just throwing things away. This would be a great thing for culture club to get behind. Just tell me what you think bout it.

some websites

Wed, 11 Dec 2002 03:18:17 GMT

www.commondreams.org

Go there and read the essays. Investigate the newsgroups. Do everything. It's an excellent rescource.

www.greenpeace.org

That's pretty good for environmental causes. CC should not ignore those (like every other group in america).

religion test

Mon, 18 Nov 2002 04:06:57 GMT

www.selectsmart.com/religion

american citizen vs world citizen

Sat, 16 Nov 2002 19:39:54 GMT

there's a lot i can say about this, but i don't need to say too much.
I'm just going to leave it to ponder. And one question:

Why do we value american lives/wellbeing more than the lives/wellbeing of people who live in other places?