Asia Dorsey is a mean green love machine. This girl spreads the seeds of protest and community, justice and just desserts to anyone brave enough to be themselves. She trades fertilizer with seed activists and love stories through belly button solidarity. A sociologist by study and a poet by ambition, this Colorado wise woman, will be exploring the different ways in which her experience with Earth Force, has informed her understanding of her life and of social justice. Earth Force is a service learning organization dedicated to civic and academic engagement by providing a platform for youths of all backgrounds make a positive impact in their communities. Asia has been a participant, staff member, and board member of this impactful organization.
I was born and raised in the vibrant 5-Points community near downtown Denver. In the late 80's and early 90's urban centers such as the one I grew up in were ravaged by the War on Drugs, high unemployment and underfunded educational centers. It was in this social context that I found a way to thrive. In the third grade my local elementary school started to offer an afterschool program called Earth Force. I will admit, I was reluctant and it started out as something to do. It grew quite rapidly into the thing that I did. I did Earth Force in middle school as a teacher's assistant at Swansea and Columbine Elementary Schools. I did Earth Force in high school as a local board member while working with my school district to start a series of forums addressing race relations, student teacher communication, and school wide inclusivity standards. And I did Earth Force at NYU as a national Board member working in Cochabamba, Bolivia helping an environmental education NGO to develop an action based environmental curriculum using Earth Force methodology.
And now I am back in Colorado. And I'm not just doing Earth Force. I am sharing with you the perspective that I have acquired in hopes that my experience and what I have gained from this organization will inspire you to see the world through my eyes. I am compelled to bear witness, to spark conversations, and smile. I am impassioned, informed, and a giver of hugs. I am so honored to be here. Thank you.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
