OAP Embraces Social Media

A Changing Landscape Means Changing the Method

For over 19 years, the Organizing Apprenticeship Project (OAP) has invested in building a more just Minnesota by bringing multiple communities together through civic organizing and focusing on legislative policy with a shared vision and strategy for racial equity. Recently, social media unexpectedly proved to be a powerful tool for OAP's toolbox of resources.

Salvador Miranda

Conceived, in 1993, by a group of like-minded community and labor organizers; OAPs original mission was to improve Minnesota's organizing infrastructure by increasing the pool of skilled and passionate civic organizers. According to Salvador Miranda, OAPs Associate Director and Director of Training, this is accomplished by, "creating an class with anywhere from 14 to 18 apprentice organizers per class. Each apprentice is connected with a mentor who is a experienced organizer." During the six month program, together they create a plan for organizing that addresses whatever relevant issues or program work a sponsoring organization or community group might have.

By 2012, OAP had made some impressive achievements. Around 200 organizers had completed OAP's Community Organizer Apprenticeship program, with many now doing organizing and advocacy work in other states. Rena Moran, a past alumni of the program had recently been elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. OAP's Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity, a method of grading state legislators on their support for legislation favoring racial equity, now boasted seventy-eight "Champion" legislators who received high marks for their legislative record.

MPR News Calls the Amendment's Defeat

When the voter ID amendment, a bill expected to negatively impact voting rights for many communities of color, threatened to pass into law; OAP collaborated with numerous groups working to defeat the measure. Social media websites like Twitter and YouTube became lightning rods that increasingly brought together public outrage over the consequences the bill would create. Consequently, the amendment was defeated by a socially and historically significant margin.

In recognizing the value of social media as a communications tool, OAP has since begun collaborating with Metropolitan State University to increase and improve OAP's use of social media.

Education equity - By Mesfin Ayle

Minnesota education students rank is great in nationwide, and It even would have been excellent, had the state removed the barriers. However, there are still many ways that legislator can do about this education equity issue to change many people life. We all know that educational gaps by race and ethnicity persist for many reasons. It takes willingness and courage to change these bad students of color and American Indian students’ record in education. Statistics has showing that students of color and American Indian students have not been graduate on time. Nor did they pursue higher education than other group. Student of color and American Indian students have also consistently lower levels of academic success in reading and math.

Therefore there has to be some reasons for that, and it's collectively our responsibility to find the solution and fight for it. Who doesn't want to be a part of the solution that eventually helps our state education system even greater? Who doesn't want to involve in shaping and molding of responsible educated citizens. Who doesn't want to involve in a building of future smart laborers, mothers, fathers, entrepreneurs and even a president? Not body right? The next appropriate question would be how can we make that happen? How can we make all people educated without any discrimination of color, sex and national origins? How can we make students of color and American India students graduation level at least equal to their peers in order to create more responsible, smart, educated citizens.

I think he answer is simple: By investing more in to education, and by making sure that all students, not just those privileged by race and class have equitable opportunities for high academic achievements. We can change our education level even better. Therefore the state policy makers can make this change and impact these disparities. However, it need everybody participation to make this change happen and work with great organization such us Organizing Apprenticeship Project (OAP) which works for advances racial, cultural, social, and economic equity in Minnesota by: Community organizing and racial justice leadership training for individuals and organizations, Research and policy tools that help community leaders and organizing groups address equity issues and Convening multiracial strategy groups that collaborate to develop thoughtful approaches to equity. OAP also watch the racial equity bill that could affect many disadvantage peoples.