Citizenship

I chose this visualization of a community garden, because I believe that community gardens are an awesome opportunity for citizens to engage in a community. Community gardens are not only a place to grow fruits and vegetables but help the communities strengthen and grow as well. I think these gardens portray an example of where active community participation is present and is a good example of citizenship. It allows the citizens to assume an active role growing and maintaining a garden full of crops that will later be used and consumed by the community.

I chose this poster of Uncle Sam as a visual representation of citizenship on a more patriotic level. I think this poster is not only directed towards US citizens, but it urges America's citizens to take a more active role. I think this image is incredibly direct and powerful by pointing at citizens to become more engage for their country. I don't think this poster is limited to enrolling in the armed forces, but I also thinks it relates to voting and becoming an active citizen, one that is involved in the issues of America, and not someone that sits on the sidelines.

Current Event-
I chose the Sierra Club Great Lakes blog as my current event because it is an example of community research. The Sierra Club is a national nonprofit that address many environmental issues pertaining to the United States, and the Great Lakes chapter specifically addresses the challenges of environmental issues within the Great Lakes and its surrounding areas. I love the Great Lakes and want to work to keep them as free from pollution as possible. The blog ran by the Sierra Club about the Great Lakes hopes to educate the surrounding communities and urges citizens to become involved. Both the blog and Facebook page publicize events of involvement and volunteering within local areas such as Detroit, Ann Arbor, and several other cities. They offer a variety of activities to become involved with such as clean ups and local government meetings. The Great Lakes are exposed to a large variety of environmental problems including invasive species (such as Asian Carp and zebra mussels), the issue of hydraulic fracturing, coal plants along the lakes, littering, and many other problems. The Sierra Club offers updates on these issues along with opportunities to become involved with working in protection of the Great Lakes from these issues.
It is also fun to note that this group will send you a I Love Great Lakes bumper sticker if you take a picture with a printed out sign explaining why you love the Great Lakes. I did this and have my sticker on my laptop, and it has been an awesome tool for advertising for the protection of the Great Lakes and a great conversation starter for the issues that surround our Great Lakes.
Sierra Club Great Lakes blog: http://sierraclubgreatlakes.blogspot.com/