"The Revolutionary Optimists" Film Screening and Panel

I recently represented Sister Cities of Louisville in a student panel discussion on a film shown as part of the Metamorphosis Film Series at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville. The Center describes this event as part of “a variety of inspiring and transformative films focused on gender equity, global citizenship, or topics related to Muhammad Ali and his core values. Each film is followed by a panel discussion where audience participation is encouraged.”

The film screened was The Revolutionary Optimists, a documentary from filmmakers Maren Grainger-Monsen and Nicole Newnham. It focuses on one of many slums in Calcutta, India, lacking potable water and facing other hardships such as disease, child labor, and domestic violence. But the people driving change in this neighborhood are not whom you might expect: the titular revolutionaries are children growing up in the slum, and their optimism forms the heart of this moving story. Under the guidance of Amlan Ganguly, a former attorney who now works with slum children through his nonprofit organization Prayasam, the young advocates inspire both their community and the film’s audience.

In the movie, we meet four children involved with Prayasam, each with different personal struggles. Sikha and Salim, 12-year-olds whose families must walk for two hours every day to fetch water from the nearest tap, are campaigning for a new water tap nearby. Kajal, a young girl who dreams of becoming a tailor and lifting her family out of poverty, works in a brick field to support her ailing mother and studies at night by candlelight. And 15-year-old Priyanka, a graceful and fluid dancer, suffers in an abusive family even as she tries to escape the threat of child marriage. Through it all, we see Ganguly interacting with the children, encouraging their efforts to break cycles of poverty and disempowerment while teaching them independence and the resilience of hope. While progress is slow and setbacks inevitable, the small triumphs of these kids shine, tiny flames of optimism that persist in an environment of often literal darkness.

Roughly 30 people attended the screening, including local high school students chaperoned by community church leaders and teachers. After the film, Hussanatu Kamar (Americana Community Center), Tori Shover (WaterStep), and I participated on a panel moderated by Gilman Bagga, a student at St. Francis High School and a member of the Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students program. Gilman encouraged us to discuss meaningful moments in the film and how they related to our own community. We collectively identified three key values of the children in the slum—compassion, commitment, and communication—that helped them maintain optimism and work for change. It is especially important, we concluded, that Louisvillians remember those values in their day-to-day interactions with others. Grassroots change starts with a friendly smile and a kind word; only communities that are connected and compassionate can work together to successfully tackle problems.

The mission of Sister Cities also reflects the importance of these values. We strive to “promote peace through the respect we show, understanding we foster, and cooperation we seek with our Sister Cities around the world”—goals that require strong partnerships rooted in mutual compassion, commitment, and communication. As we create and strengthen people-to-people connections with our Sister Cities around the world, we need to keep in mind the role of optimism and kindness in our daily lives. The children of The Revolutionary Optimists are role models for the power of young people to bring about change, even in small ways—and how we can apply the lessons of those changes to our own lives.

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The Muhammad Ali Center Metamorphosis Film Series, in partnership with ITVS Community Cinema, will hold another film screening and panel discussion on Thursday, June 27, from 5:30 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Muhammad Ali Center (144 N. Sixth Street). The film presented will be Love Free or Die, on the life and struggle of the first openly gay Episcopal Bishop in the United States, Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. For more information, please visit alicenter.org.

Entry 3: Louisville's Guest by Wang Runze

The first glimpse from the air

The first glimpse of Louisville came when I was still in air. The street lights which was becoming brighter and brighter against the dark woods unfolded in the night curtain , magic and graceful. What I saw was but a corner, What did she look like in a whole? I wondered.

The plane landed smoothly on the runway where only a twinkled light blinked in the deep dark. How tranquil and tender! “Louisville, I am coming”, I whistled. There were few people around and no store in service. We were the only intruders of the quiet night. Out of the hall we were greeted by the host teachers and students, they said “Welcome to Louisville” to us and we joined to leave the airport happily, no unpractical yet annoying welcome ceremony. That’s OK!

Seth , a student in grade 10, was responsible for taking care of me. He was blond and spoke Chinese a sentence or two. I also met Miss Wang Xiaoxuan once an elite student in my school and now a student here.

The idle life in Louisville
Then I was with Seth and his family together. We bit farewell to other newcomers and find a restaurant. On the way,I stammered out words by words with Seth and cheerfully to learn that he had been to my hometown Jiujiang.

The restaurant we entered was as noisy as in china. Its decoration reminded me of old films, like a bar with a bit of western style. I liked it very much. In the slow, sad, lasting forever melody, time tickled away and people relaxed into meditation. We are served with American hamburger, bread, tomatoes, onions, beef pies and cheese. We enjoyed our dinner idly, don’t minding that it was late at night. Perhaps this was so called ease life.

I met and talked with a compatriot from Shandong Province. He spoke English fluently and appeared lonely ,perhaps because of homesick ,I guessed. Seth’s Dad and his grandpa had been to china too. Oh! What a predestinated relation his family had with china. It begun to snow when we went back. It occurred to me that it was snowing heavily when I was born. Mum told me this many times.” Mum and Dad , I miss you!” a voice rose swiftly from my heart.

It is still snowing when we arrived at Seth home. It was a big house with 3 floors. the dining room and drawing room are in the first floor. Three living rooms in the second floor, a tiny library and a hall (big enough to hold a party) in the basement . Seth bred 3 lovely dogs! Another Chinese student Jason lived in Seth home too, and we played for long that night.

Collegiate school

Collegiate is composed by 4 sections: the primary school and refectory, the junior high school and kindergarten, the senior high school , and the art pavilion .its classroom looks small but spacious for more than ten students , moreover, every classroom is unique. For example , Chinese calligraphy and dragon ,panda adorn the classroom, Lizards, pythons may climb in biology classroom . everything is clear, everywhere is cleaned.

Collegiate emphasizes its fame. every honor will be placed in the bulletin board by the entrance door. As to teachers I could hardly judge their capacity for my poor English , but I could feel their enthusiastic , they are all good and the physics teacher is my favorite.

In the school I made a lot of friends：Jason、Rose、Kevin、Elizabeth…, Jason is from Hangzhou and Anna from Nanchang. Besides , I took part in many parties which were held frequently. More than often I couldn’t hear what they talked about, but I enjoyed myself in the atmosphere.

My second residence

Before long, I moved to Kyle home. “Kyle is a math genius”, Miss Wang Xiaoxuan told me. I was good at math too, and eager to exchange ideas about math, but the language barrier stood between us. Kyle home is relatively small and not that bright. The house had 3 floors too. Living room, kitchen and dining room is in the first floor, 3 living rooms and a bathroom in the 2_rd floor , Kyle studio and a garden occupy the 3_rd floor. Kyle’s father petted a dog and several chicken, I wanted to pet something in fact.

Kyle Study room is very big with plenty of books, sometimes I desired to stand there for a whole afternoon, but I retreated for I could not read these English books. I found many compact disks when seeing his bookcase, that made me feel easy because we shared a lot : Kyle was introvert, me too; he was a COD fanatic, me too; he had a insight in math, so did I; he loved playing games, so did I!

My first Chinese lunar new year Eve spent abroad

The Chinese lunar new year ,a special day, arrived on a Saturday. I got up at 9, took a brief breakfast, then played violin. In a matter of fact, I knew the CCTV spring festival Gala had begun that moment, but I had no time to watch it more. I dropped my violin at 11 and sat in front of TV to witness the new year countdown on the gala. 10, 9, 8……2, 1. Ah, comes a new year! I held back my emotion in the Eve without family aside. Kyle family are considerate, and invited me to paste paper_cut for windows decoration, and held a party to celebrate. I forgot my longing for parents and sang and danced gaily.

The next evening, we went to KCD to take part in a farewell party. I saw Seth there, the last meeting with her in America . everyone seemed rejoiced, enjoyed the revelry before separation. Talent and skill performance begun after the party. I played violin, with several flaws for my nervousness ,followed by a solo 《Superstar》， I exposed myself and were conscious that I was but a bystander. Tomorrow I would leave America .

She is Louisville , I am a passerby.

The other side of gathering is separation. How time flies! 15 days past in a snap. Originally, I thought I had been involved in Louisville in these 15 days, but it was not true. I was still her guest. The spectacle of the city viewed from plane remained graceful. We hurried in, hurried out. We brought in nothing, left down nothing. She is still Louisville, I am still a guest

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Entry 6: My Time in Louisville by Wang Zhiyu

Louisville is a small city.The first impression give me is the very good environment, green area,the fresh air ,the great quality water. I spent an unforgettable vacation here.First of all,I start from my host family.My host family is a single parent family.Family mother take care of four children,two boys and two girls. The largest kid is studying in the University,and the other three children are study in KCD. Two family young brother, Declan , Padraic. and I have a good relationship.There is a student named Nigel from Dalian in China in my host family. Maybe,The biggest difference I am impressed with is that United States’s crude public traffic. The traffic here is mainly rely on private cars. Even, there is no sidewalk from school to home on the road.In Louisville, I haven't seen a bus station.If someone have no car ,the only way to go out is by taxi.But the price to take a taxi is too high. During the exchange in KCD,I found the Chinese School’steaching is very different from the American school’s teaching. Their course is optional, of course, some subjects must be learn.And you can choice of different difficulty throughthe personal ability

So,the student in the same class the persomal ability is similar the same.It conducive to student learing. Their dining room is a most interesting place. When I saw the cafeteria at the first time. I knew that school could not let 12 different grade students are sitting down to dinner at the same time.So school will be separated from each grade meal time. So that the students can have lunch efficiently, it made me surorised.

The deepest impression that the America school gave me is the teacher’s oatience.I can remember a maths lesson.A student wrong a simple questions many times before doing it ,the teacher also encouraged him. I think, If a Chinese teachers in this case, would be angry.

The United States students after-school life is very rich.Most student will attend the school sports team after class. I found a very interesting phenomenon. Almost all the teacher can do some movement. An English teacher which I know is a baseball coach,too.For example, a student good at sport will be more easy to find a good job than a student who is good at study in future. Therefore, American’s overall health quality American is high.Even my host family young brother Declan in addition toplay computer games,he can play pingpong and basketball ,too.

The students here is not like us need to have classes and do more and more homework,they will go out do exercise with friends.Sometimes take aparty at home.Maybe,my favoritetime is in school and joined party.

 I will work hard. In the near future, I hope I can finish go to American University to study

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Entry 5: My Time in Louisville by Shao Lu (Elle)

This trip to Louisville is a great opportunity for me to open up my mind. I got the chance to stay with local families for two weeks so that I got to know American lifestyle and how students study in America.
After a few hours’ flight, we finally arrived in Louisville. The host families are very nice, they got to the airport very early in order to pick us up. Anna and her father and her sister all came. Anna said her mother prepared chicken soup at home. That’s so sweet, because I hadn’t ate anything during the flight. Maybe because the essay I wrote about myself, they played Taylor Swift’s songs all the way home. “Trouble, trouble, trouble”. Yes, I like Carrie Underwood as well by the way. I heard Mr. Rogers asked Anna to ask me if I like Carrie Underwood. When we got home, there was already a bowl of chicken soup on the table waiting for me. That was me drank American chicken soup for the first time. Indeed, it’s really different from China. But it’s very delicious anyway. Then I gave them the gifts I brought from Jiujiang. It seems that they really like them. Mrs. Rogers even gave me a “American hug”. Because it’s not very late, Anna asked me if I want to play Wii. Actually, I had no idea what Wii is. It turns out to be something like a video game. We danced “call me maybe” at first, but I looked stupid, so we started to play “band hero” I guess. We had so much fun!

The next day, Anna took me to her school, Louisville Collegiate School. Then we met Mrs. Wade. She was going to give some classes to her students, and we also took part in them. For the first Chinese class, we were supposed to be asked question by the students. One of them asked me if I had a blog, then I said yes. After the class, I showed them my blog, it’s pretty awkward because I haven’t written anything for years. Then we took 4 more Chinese classes that day. Their Chinese is great, though Chinese is very difficult to learn. After school, Anna drove Morgan and me to buy some hot chocolate. It’s sweet but it tasted good. Anna said one of her friends will come and paint nails with us. And she asked if I had painted my nails before. Of course not. Because of the school rules, we are not allowed to paint our nails or use any make-up. But it might be fun, I thought. At night, Natalie came. She is a very nice person. They asked me to pick a color, the blue one looked pretty, so I picked the blue one. I have never painted my nails, so Morgan offer to help.

She is patient and careful. While we were waiting for the nails to dry, we had some girl’s talk. It turned out that painting nails was really fun!

On the weekend, we slide on the hill. In Jiujiang, I have never slide. So I looked forward to sliding a lot. We took out a thing made of plastic used for sliding from the garage. Then we set off.

On the way, we talked about lots of things. Such as accents in China, her sister and her trip to China. On the hill, there were some people sliding. Anna slide with me at first, but it feels still scary. Got home , we made a huge snowball together. We intended to make a snowman at first, but for some reason, it didn’t work. But the snowball is really big, Morgan and me roll it to the stairs, so that everyone who drives by could see it. Just after a few hours, Mr. Rogers drove back home, he asked: “Did you guys make that snowball? I saw it on my way home.” “Haha…Yes, it is!” This special Sunday night happened to be the super bowl night. Lots of people came that night, we had a great time together. It’s funny that the most exciting part is Beyonce rather than the game. Beyonce is awesome, I totally agree.

It was school day again. YES! We have Spanish class! I always think Spanish is a fascinating language. We were sent to four different groups, there are only two people in each group actually.

They will teach us Spanish and we will teach them Chinese. My partners are two girls who are patient and nice. They taught me how to write and speak “ruler” “pen” “pencil” “paper” “horse” in Spanish once and once again. But I’m not good at memorizing so it still took me some time to remember these words. Then I taught them how to speak these words in Chinese. They are very clever, and they spoke just like local people. Because it’s my last day stay with the Rogers, they took me to ride horse. At the airport I said I have never rode a horse and I want to ride horse. I didn’t think they think highly of it. Morgan showed me around the stable and introduce the horses belonged to them to me. It seems everyone in Louisville are good at riding horses. Wearing the helmet, I started riding. Riding is so cool, it makes me feel like the knight in the past.
After 5 days I was sent to another host family. It was sad to say goodbye to the Rogers. They were really good to me. They all gave me a warm “American hug”.

The other day, Diana asked me to go to a chemistry class. So did I. I guess this class is mainly talk about the change of state related to the temperature and the pressure. I didn’t memorize any word about chemistry before I came to Louisville, so most of the time, I was guessing. Their class is greatly different from China. Every student can ask or answer question at any time during the class, which is not allowed in China. So American class is more free and it’s more about students.

Instead, in China, teacher is the spotlight.

After school, Colleen picked me up. We went to the kinder garden where Mrs. Orr works together. Then we went to Colleen’s house together. Through staying with them did I know that dinner is very important to Americans. Mrs. Orr said no matter how busy they are, they would always make some time to have a good dinner with families. We did pray before dinner. Mr. Orr said some prayers. I couldn’t understand what exactly he said. But I think it’s something good, something they wish for, something they believed in.

The next night we went to play bowling. Because Colleen was busy with her homework, so her brother Kevin took me there. It’s also a new thing for me. Kevin is really nice, he not only taught me how to bowl but also said I was good even though I knew I was bad. The most important thing is that all my friends came. We finally got a chance to talk about our experience. Principal Wang from the No.1 high school is good. He could really play it well for the first time.

Mrs. Wade organized a parade for the Chinese New Year. Everyone dressed up in Chinese style.

Also, the Dragon dance was performed by all the students who took Chinese class. We went around the school, from kinder garden to high school. Then some middle school students joined us, which made our group bigger. At night, we went to KCD for a dinner. It was a big meal. For the first time I felt at home. Get together with my friends in Jiujiang ,my teachers in Jiujiang and my new friends I made in the U.S.A., it’s just like getting together with my families at home. After the meal, there was a show for us, Chinese students’ talent show. It was great. At the end of the show, all the students from Jiujiang, including me, sang “:superstar” with Liz, Carly and Colleen. It was perfect. It showed the friendship between American and Chinese.

One night Mrs. Orr told me some Kentucky stars. I have never thought that Jennifer Lawrence was brought up in Louisville. What is more exciting is that Mrs. Orr promised me to take me to her old house to have a look. One day, when I was walking the dog with Colleen, suddenly, she said: “That’s Jennifer Lawrence’s old house.” I was surprised. I can’t see Jennifer Lawrence though, seeing her old house is awesome as well.

All good things must come to an end. I have to say goodbye to the Colleens. It’s a pity that I can only stay for a few days. But our friendship will last much longer than that.

Thanks to both my host families, I did lots of American things. I got my nails painted for the first time. I play bowling for the first time. I ate raw vegetables for the first time.

American lifestyle is different from Chinese. For example, they take showers in the morning, we take showers in the evening. They eat with fork and knife, we eat with chopsticks. But as for food, I have to be honest, I like Chinese food better. Maybe because people from different areas have different taste. I just can’t get used to the American food very well.

The two weeks I spent in Louisville let me know that there is a place called America, and people there are very friendly and nice. They also yearn for other cultures. They advocate freedom and equality.

 I really miss the two weeks that I spent in Louisville!

 

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Entry 4: My Time in Louisville by He Xinwei

I woke up in the morning,and looked outside the window.To my surprise,it was snowing.The snow fell on the grass,the trees, the road,and the roofs.Everything was covered in white.It was so quiet,and I can almost hear the sound when a snowflake fell on the window in front of me.What a beautiful morning!Just like in a fairy tale,I thought.

Because of the snow,that day was not only beautiful,but also full of excitement.In the afternoon,we went to a park.Although the weather was freezing,there were still a lot of people jogging along the road,and many people were walking their dogs.So interesting!When we arrived,Jewelz took out two sliding boards from her car.Let’s start sliding,she said.I was excited but also a little nervous,because it was my first time,and I had never seen it before.I watched my friends and other people slide down the hill,they laughed and screamed.It seemed like a great fun.

Soon,it was my turn.I sat on the sliding board carefully,then firmly grasped the edge of it.Someone pushed my back,and I started to slide down.My speed was growing,but I felt no more nervous.I could feel the cold wind blowing beside me,and the board chafed on the snow on the ground.I became so fast and I found it was really amazing.When I stopped at the bottom of the hill,I wished my next turn would come soon.

One after another,we all enjoyed sliding.Although I knocked into a tree at one time,but I will still say that I love sliding.Everybody played and laughed together,there’s nothing more meaningful than our friendship.
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Entry 10: The Blue Sky by Huang Hao

The sky is not blue here.Only can I see some deadwood right their hands to the sky.Sometimes it’s white,but that kind of white is not clear.It is just a gloss beneath the smog.There are some gray buildings standing there and don’t move.Maybe they are affected by the sad world.It seems like that there is just some cold winter here.

What I miss is the transoceanic pure sky.Sometimes it is also white,but that kind of white is really clear and there definitely no impurity in it.

For America,the impressive thing is the blue sky.I believe that everyone can feel it because everyone has some photos about this beautiful sky.Everyone wants to keep beautiful things in there minds.

The first day in Los Angeles was a sunny day.Seems like we were really lucky that day because it rained yesterday.When we were sit in the car,we sill can see the blue sky through the window.We tried hard to let our cameras get closer to the windows so that we can get more beautiful scenary.Alough we were on freeway,diffrents kinds of cars still grabbed our attention.You could see some funny bubble cars passing by but they were used fot feighting.Some fashion cars also passed by.Maybe you could see a little peppy was looking outside by the window of the car.That’s fun!Different cars,different lifestyles.

There is a flourishing city under the endless blue sky,just like it is surrounded by a blue crystal ball.And peole live there very happy.

We would get to Louisville soon.I was really nervous and hopeful.Nervous for meeting my host family,hopeful for living there for 10 days.I just set aside these problems and open window of the aircraft.What I saw shocked myself.The sky was almost transparent blue,and this blue extended to the end of the warld..At the botton,continuous snow covered the ground.Both blue and white are my favorite colors.So when they got together and showed such a beautiful picture,I couldn’t look away.I think I ‘ll keep it in my mind forever.

Waking up naturally,I open the curtain.Surprisingly,I found it was snowing.I rushed out with Helen and Jackson excitedly.Then we had a snowfight and skiing.These small sleds were just like some small little boats.Though my first skiing was failed because we hit the tree,I was still happy.Staying with your family is such a satisfying thing.Their happy faces in my mind can always reminds me of that time.

Parting is better to meet.Though I really didn’t want to leave this school,my family and this city,I had to say goodbye.

I would remember everything they did for me,every words they said to me.Thank you is not enough,but I sill want to say thank you!

College is a beautiful dream and a bright future to people.So I could see blue sky in the colleges.

University of Louisville just like a town.Many main buildings were town hall,church and bank and so on.Students dormitories were the houses of people.Uner the blue sky’s watching,people lived peaceful and energetic.I noticed a glass-enclosed building.The blue sky was in the glass,so the people just like walking in the sky.They were birds,flying in the sky freely.

On the way back home,I saw some clouds in the sky.They liked wools because they were curly.Incidentally,some sheep were eating grass under their wools.Peaceful life here was really good.Mayve I want to choose to live here one day.

Do sill remember the Tear Square in the Stanford?That was a amazing place.When I saw it,my first touch was to rush to the grass and lie there forever.Of course,we did that.Though it was afternoon when we got Stanford,there was some water drops in the grass.Suddenly I felt my tears drop into the grass,togethered with these nature water.No one couldn’t be moved by this green grass.The blue sky was right over us.This sky whitnessed this school’s history.Without it,Stanford could not be so beautiful and successful.

 Finally we should go home.I missed my family,my house and my bed,but I sill miss the blue sky of America.So I made a decision,I will come back to that place to achieve my dream.I miss the people that I care about there.And I believe that my dream will come true!

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Entry 9: My Time in Louisville by Zhong Weiyu (Jessica)

I just can’t describe my feeling right now.I missed Louisville all the time since I left this city.

I stayed in Louisville for one week.This week was just like the happiest dream that I do wanted to remember forever.

I knew the weather in Louisville is very cold,so I expected this city is always snowy so that I can make snowmen,have a snowball fight,hide behind a snowdrift,even lie on the snow.It must be very cool!

To my surprise,there was little snow that I couldn’t do the things I expected to do,and Louisville did not even snow while I visited,but there was blue sky,the colour was pretty pure ,so the sky was just like transparent crystal.It was too fantastic and amazing that made me feel that everything is not true,and there was also fresh air which made me feel really comfortable. You just need to look far into the distance from a high place and take a deep breathe,every problem will go away and you don’t feel unhappy at all,so you completely relax yourself!

I spent two days studying in the schools.One was called Noe Middle school,and my hostsister Mekenna was studying in this school.The other one called Assumption High School.I made a friend there who always smiles,her name was Katly.She was kind,friendly,elegant and polite,and I found that it’s interesting to talk to her about entertainment and knowledge.Everyone in the schools were very nice,I love them very much.

My favorite memory was to spend time with my hostfamily.My hostfather’s name was James,he was a very strong man, he was funny and affable,and he works in the government.What a pity I’m not good at politic.My hostmother Debbie was a teacher whose job is to teach little kids,she was smart,and she always takes part in some parties.My hostsister Cailin was 11,and she was really mischievous and cherubic,so I wished she can become my sister.The other hostsister,Mekenna,was a beauty,and she was cool,like a popular star.I thought there must be many boys who love her.

The day before we were gone,my hostfamily took me to a park,and we spent a half day playing in the park.I enjoyed playing on a swing.Rock climbing was my favorite sport.It was so excited!I never do this before,because in China,the majority of parents don’t want their children to do such dangerous sports. While we were playing,my hostmother and my hostfather were sitting in the woods ,hugging each other and whispering.These sights made me feel warm and made me have a feeling of home.Such feelings I’ll never forget.

The experience and the time in Louisville is the most precious thing in my childhood.I’ll keep it in my memory,my mind,and my heart,forever.
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