Change. Again. Err, themes aren't changing, you better just read the last post.

In trying to understand our class discussion today, I ask myself, why are we asking how Jane Addams experience is different than our own? It is clearly the same in some ways, as we are all humans, and different, as we are different people. Of course, we are discussing social activism, so it's probably related to that. Rephrased, what about Jane Addams experience (other than her social activity...) makes her a social activist, and the majority of ourselves, not?

Well, first I would note, that even in Addams' own time, she said there was only a small group of women at Rockford that chose to take upon themselves the task of learning. That is absolutely similar to college now, where a majority of students work moderately, and benefit moderately, and continue on to live fairly moderate lives, while a few driven students learn everything they can and continue to do everything they can in their post educational lives. It is not then a surprise that most of us our not activists while Jane Addams is. A new question then. What uniqueness made Addams a social activist?

I would argue, in reference to my last post (which was far too long and I think can be allowed to contribute a little to this post too) that in Addams we see another push for change. When I say this, I do not mean on the level of society, as that would conform to the definition of social activism, but instead that Addams had drive to change herself. This would be consistent with Quaker ideas of Inner Light, but would easily be expanded into more of a personal philosophy. In trying to change herself for the better, and get outside the cave (Really, just read the last post. It's more cohesive.) she explored as much as she could academically when given the opportunity, and valued it so much that she tried to give this gift to others, putting herself in yet another new and unique situation. Change.