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A controversial editorial submitted by Miss Maudie Atkinson in the Maycomb County Liberal Citizens' Gazette. 
Read on to learn more about the trial and what Miss Atkinson says about the current state of Maycomb- and how the people of the community can change it. 
Catering to her liberal readers, Maudie shares a perspective that some may enjoy- but one that some may despise. See where your opinion falls.

 

​Link to interview

Interview was recorded at Cook Wissahickon School in Roxborough.

What Motivated you to come out and vote?

I wanted to pick the next president.

Do you vote in every election?

No only ones I can make it to.

Where have you encountered the most ads for the campaign?

I here the adds the most on the Tv and Internet.

Were you sure of who you were going to vote for before you came out here.

Yes.

What changes do you hope to see in philadelphia as a result of this election?

I hope that there will be less taxes.

The people I interviewed or tried to said they would not speak or did not want to be recorded.

Interviewee: Jeanene Johnson, about 30 years old, African American woman, lives in West Philadelphia. 
She didn't want to be recorded because she was very self conscious, so I wrote down the whole interview.

Me: Hello, my name is Dakota Foster and I wanted to know if I could interview for a school project about voting. 

Johnson: Sure, I would love it. 

Me: Okay, thank you. What is your name?

Johnson: Jeanene Johnson

Me: Okay, and how old are you, about?

Johnson: I am around 30 years old, haha. 

Me: Alright, thank you. Let’s start with the questions. 

Johnson: Okay, let’s go. 

Me: What motivated you to come out and vote?

Johnson: I actually got to talk to older family members whom had to fight for their right to be able to vote because they were Black &/or women. I would be doing them and myself a disservice if I did not vote. Besides, my vote does actually count.

Me: What would you like to see changed in our political system?

Johnson: More bipartisan cooperation. 

Me: Do you vote in every election? (How regularly do you vote?)

Johnson: Every. Single. Election.

Me: Do you know why we vote on Tuesday?

Johnson: I knew but have forgotten! 

Me: Where have you encountered the highest amount of ad campaigning? 

Johnson: TV and radio. Oh, also Facebook postings.

Me: What was the most memorable campaign ad that you have encountered?

Johnson: Of course I am now drawing a blank but it was an ad for Obama.

Me: Are you always sure of who you are going to vote for when you walk into the booth or are you still deliberating?

Johnson: Always sure.

Me: What changes do you hope to see in Philadelphia as a result of this election?

Johnson: More support for teachers, financial aid for students

Me: What impact do you feel that your vote will have on the election?

Johnson: I think that the candidate that I selected is the best person for the task ahead. I feel that he (Barak Obama) will continue to make sure that people can love who they love, women’s rights and a woman’s body are protected.

Me: Did you learn about voting in school? If yes, did that impact your willingness to vote today?

Johnson: Yes. But mostly it was emphasized by my mother and grandmother.

Me: Okay, that’s the last question. Thank you for taking the time out to answer them. And I hope you have a wonderful day. 

Johnson: Thank you so much, you too. 

Being polite in Spanish is just as simple as a you or You. When you are talking to someone your own age in English you have a different tone and approach than when you are speaking to someone of respect. In Spanish they make it easier to talk to different people of different respects and how you talk to them. When you talk to someone of respect or who is older then you when you are using the word you in spanish it will be “Usted”. If you are talking to someone that you know well then you dont have to be as formal with those people so you’ll use “tú” instead.

Here is a video of a teenager talking to a girl her own age and a woman of respect.
Click here for video 

https://vimeo.com/53471497  

Interview Questions: 

Person #1

Ques 1- I came to vote because it's my right.

9- Every vote counts, my vote is important. I could be the deciding vote on the winning president.

6- The 2012 campaign, I was more involved. 

5- I think TV is the most campaigning device.

8- There will be no changes.

Person #2

Ques 1- Change, policy

2- The cost of education to go down, the loss of deductions, strong economy, maintain social/civil liberties/

9- It will affect change, it will support my candidate.

10- It wasn't heavily touched on, it was brief.

Person #3

Ques 1- To choose who the next president will be.

2- More jobs.'

3- I vote in the big elections.

9- I hope it will choose who the next president will be. 

6- The campaign this year.

Person #4

Ques 2- Less polarity in views.

10- I think so, yea.

9- Every vote counts, like the 2000 election.

6- 2008 elections.

Person #5

Ques 1- I always vote.

3- 2012 Presidential elections, the John Street election

9- Not that much in the grand scheme of things.

8- Budget in order.

3- In every one.

Reflection:

Who: 5 people

When: 4-5pm

Where: Andora Free Library

Noticed..

• people didn't want to be recored
• short, concise answers

Wondered..

• how many people think their vote counts?
• what people feel about this tense election, how it affects them

What if?

• the popular vote determined the election
• why people vote if elector votes determine the president

Learned about systemic and individual change:

• some think there ail be change, other feel and know there will never be change

Role of individual creating and sustaining change:

• I honestly haven't learned anything about it, but what I've already known. Individuals need to accumulate and create cohesive, precise demands to get what they want. But, the public doesn't know how much power they hold. 

Relationship between self and changing the world:

• I think there needs to be an open mind about change that's the only thing that pertains to self. It's the general public who creates the demands. So, it's a collective thing when you make it out to be.

Additional Reflection: 

I think The Communist Manifesto explains a lot about this. Political issues and struggles. If the general public (proletariats) joined arms and decided to overthrow businessmen (the bourgeois), they may see the change they want to see. But, until people understand the power they have, there will never be change. I guess government and big corporations make people think they have no power, but we actually do.

I guess I would say the advertisements that were put out on the T.V., radio, pretty much everywhere. 

No. I do not vote regularly in every election, but the important ones I try my best to be there and support who I think should win.

No, I do not know why we vote every Tuesday. 

I've seen more ads about campaigning on the T.V. 

I'm almost always sure who I am going to vote for when I walk into the booth. If I didn't, I'd be wasting a lot of people time trying to figure out who I want as president.

I learned a bit in school, but they never really focused on it so most of it I've forgotten.

https://docs.google.com/a/scienceleadership.org/document/d/1eJw0knEyL5530ZotErNBW48v70Ttm0j4wjuZx6Xtrak/edit