Students to View Social Justice and Change in Action with their Peer Malik Fox, Founder of Sub-movement – “Occupy The Hood”

WHO: At the core of the MCNY educational experience is the concept of purpose-centered learning and constructive action. Experiential learning, the continuous interaction between the knowledge students gain in the classroom and the knowledge they gain through direct experience in their workplace, is fundamental to every course, degree and program at MCNY.

WHAT: As part of MCNY’s undergraduate Constructive Action (CA) course, “Promoting Empowerment through Community Liaisons,” on Tuesday, November 1, 2011, Dr. Clyde Griffin, Chair of MCNY’s Human Services Program and the instructor of this course, will take his students to view social justice and change in action. The class will visit the “Occupy Wall Street” movement to observe and get a firsthand view of community action and organizing.

During their CA projects, students are instructed to utilize their classroom learning to implement an effective idea for improving the community. Starting as part of a CA project, one MCNY student recently created a highly effective and progressive sub-movement entitled “Occupy The Hood.” Malik Fox created this sub‑movement after visiting and observing the activities at Zuccotti Park, and noticing that the majority of participants were white and did  not fully represent the 99 percent of the U.S. population for whom the movement is seeking justice. He noticed that there wasn’t a strong black, Latino or Asian presence.

Both a student and community activist, Fox created this sub-movement to mobilize minorities and ensure that their needs are being met as part of the overall movement. “Occupy The Hood” is a direct offshoot of “Occupy Wall Street.”  This CA project and sub-movement exemplifies the very essence of experiential learning.

In speaking about “Occupy The Hood,” Fox notes, “We are the least represented. We are among the ignored. We are among the unemployed. We are considered the undereducated. We are considered the minority. We are the consumers; but most importantly – We are the Hood!!”

Hailing from South Jamaica, Queens, Fox is also a construction worker and father of three.

WHY: MCNY founder Audrey Cohen was a huge proponent for social change.  And in that tradition, MCNY continues to offer highly motivated learners an education that combines applied skills and professional knowledge to effect personal transformation and positive change in the workplace and community.

WHEN:           Tuesday, November 1, 2011: 9AM – 1PM

WHERE:        “Occupy Wall Street” – Zuccotti Park, Lower Manhattan

TO TAKE PART IN THIS ON-SITE EXPERIENTAL LEARNING CLASS OR SET UP INTERVIEWS WITH DR. CLYDE GRIFFIN OR MALIK FOX, PLEASE CONTACT TAMARA YOUNG, UNIWORLD GROUP AT (212) 219-7224 or Tamara.Young@uwgny.com.