KSG Alum Takes First “Clean” Election in Connecticut
by Stella Tsay on December 6, 2007 in News
Some people spend their whole lives trying to leave home. But immediately after finishing his MPA at the Kennedy School last spring, that’s exactly where Jason Perillo returned – to Shelton, Connecticut. And after winning a seat in the Connecticut House of Representatives in an October special election for the 113th district, it looks like Perillo is there to stay.
Read more
Boston’s new Superintendent of Schools addresses test scores and the achievement gap
by Samina Uddin, Features Editor on December 6, 2007 in News
“We see potential where others have long given up hope” wrote Dr. Carol R. Johnson, the new Superintendent of Boston Public Schools (BPS), in her welcome letter to the public this past August. In tackling the critical issues of standardized test scores and the racial achievement gap, Johnson’s outlook is the foundation of her agenda.
After four successful years as the Superintendent of Memphis City Schools, Tennessee’s largest school district, Johnson approached her leadership of BPS - and its 57,000 students - with enthusiasm.
KSG Plays City Hall
by Jason Elliott on December 6, 2007 in News
Newly elected mayors from towns large and small across the nation descended on the KSG campus last week as part of a three-day seminar hosted by the IOP and the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM). In total, 23 mayors-elect joined existing executives such as Boston’s Mayor Menino, Mayor Martin Chavez of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Mayor Doug Palmer of Trenton, New Jersey for a series of panel discussions and social events designed to orient them to the challenges of assembling an administration and effective governance.
Without Director, OPD’s Future Uncertain
by Tina Chong, Editor-in-Chief on December 6, 2007 in HKS News, News
When Susanne Beck was named as the new Director of KSG’s Office of Professional Development (OPD) last spring, hopes were high that she would lead a much-needed re-form of the school’s career services. But Beck’s decision to step down from the position in September - leaving a vacancy that has yet to be filled - has raised doubts about the future of the office, and may undermine the reforms she had started to implement.
A Day In The Life
by Naseem Khuri on December 6, 2007 in Culture
The Harvard Business School (HBS) website contains a section called “24 Hours,” where potential applicants are encouraged to “see what unfolds over 24 Hours in the varied lives of actual MBA students.” After stumbling upon this page, we at the Citizen undertook the task of doing the same for a typical KSG student. The right-hand column is a reflection of our research from interviews, while the left-hand column features actual quotes pulled from the HBS website (http://www.hbs.edu/mba/profiles/schedule/). We have passed on our description to the KSG Admissions office to provide a picture of a typical school day for prospective students.
Read more
Dress Code: Uncovering Meaning Behind What People Wear
by The Editors on December 6, 2007 in Culture
Jane Austen once wrote that “Dress is at all times a frivolous distinction, and excessive solicitude about it often destroys its own aim.” But at times, what we wear expresses something essential about where we come from and who we are. Uri Leventer (MPP2) sought out four KSG students who see an artifact as a fundamental part of their identity, and asked them to explain why it is important to their religion, culture or community.
Yehuda Greenfield-Gilat, MPP/UP: Israel
by The Editors on December 6, 2007 in Culture
What is the name of the artifact?
Cippah in Hebrew, or yarmulka in Yiddish.
What is its significance? Why do you wear it?
Traditional Jews wear the Cippah to acknowledge the existence of God in their lives. Today it is not rare to find more liberal people wearing the Cippah. You can also find religiously committed people who prefer not to be directly identified. For me, despite the burden of being constantly different, wearing a Cippah is a basic part of my identity that I just can’t deny.
How often do you wear it?
When I’m awake and walking around doing stuff.
How many do you own?
I have six or seven. Some are for special occasions; some have various colors and sizes. The Cippah can become an arena for creativity as some people have their favorite baseball team logo on it or have different slogans written on it.
Have you had any negative experiences as a result of wearing it?
External appearance often causes people to assume different facts about you which might not be true. The Cippah can sometimes be affiliated with conservative opinions related to political and personal views. These assumptions can cause people to judge you before you open your mouth.
This article is part of a larger series “Dress Code.”
Carlos Santiago Chango Uñog, MPA/ID2: Ecuador
by The Editors on December 6, 2007 in Culture
What are the names of the artifacts?
Red poncho: Puka ruana in Kichwa language, or poncho rojo in Spanish.
White shirt: Yurac cutul in Kichwa, or camisa blanca in Spanish.
White pants: Yurac wara in Kichwa, pantalón blanco in Spanish.
What is its significance? Why do you wear it?
The white shirt and pants represent forgiveness against everything Spain did against our indigenous people in the past. The red in the poncho represents rebellion and the blood spilled by our ancestors in the multiple battles. Women in my village actually wear black, representing the sadness for our people killed in the past. We indigenous people from Chibuleo express these meanings everywhere, all the time. I wear it because I represent these indigenous people everywhere. This is my identity: my past, my present and my future.
How often do you wear it?
Every day, every night, except for when I’m taking a shower and playing football.
How many do you own?
Only one! But I have another with a different style just in case. I am using my spare poncho these days because my red poncho is torn. By the way I am selling some ponchos.
Have you had any negative experiences as a result of wearing it?
In Quito, the capital, they once asked me to exit a store because “jackets” were not allowed.
What about funny experiences?
Sometimes people ask me if I’m the guy playing South American instruments in Harvard Square. Also, it took more than a year for some classmates to realize that this is not Ecuadorian national dress. One classmate told me, “Our introduction week is over. Shouldn’t you start to wear normal clothes?”
This article is part of a larger series “Dress Code.”
Fatina Abdrabboh, MPP/MTS: Michigan, U.S.A.
by The Editors on December 6, 2007 in Culture
What is the name of the artifact?
The name in Arabic of my headcovering is hijab. That is the Islamic legal term.
What is its significance? Why do you wear it?
Hijab has come to be an obsession by many Westerners. The question of its significance will surely depend on the country and location of the women who wear it. Specifically, Muslim women in the U.S. vary in how they ascribe meaning to it. Its significance is a matter of politics, a symbol of a feminist identity and of religious conviction, as it is mandated by God for women to cover their hair. My reasons for covering have evolved as I have grown spiritually and intellectually. My personal significance stems from religious conviction, yet I can relate on some level to the other meanings of politics, cultural identity and feminist assertion.
How often do you wear it?
Every day. I throw it on in the morning as other women would use a scrunchie or rubber band to hold their hair back. I have all the colors, fabrics and selections to help coordinate with all my attire. Having hundreds of scarves is certainly helpful.
Have you had any negative experiences as a result of wearing it?
Almost any identifiably Muslim person has had a negative experience or comment thrown at them in the post 9/11 U.S. I have learned to take stares and glares in stride.
How about positive experiences?
I had an interesting experience with Al Gore, whom I met while wearing my workout Hijab at the gym. The story turned into a successful New York Times op-ed.
This article is part of a larger series “Dress Code.”
JJ Singh, MPA2: Virginia, U.S.A.
by The Editors on December 6, 2007 in Culture
What is the name of your artifact?
A turban.
What is its significance? Why do you wear it?
Sikhs wear turbans for several reasons. First, it’s a symbol of sovereignty, dedication, self-respect, courage and piety. Second, it is meant to cover our uncut hair (one of our religious mandates is to keep uncut hair) out of respect for others and for God. Third, it acts as a symbol of identity; we are universally identifiable as Sikhs. Finally, while most Sikhs agree with the reasons I just mentioned, I also believe that the turban is a symbol that Sikhs are protectors of the weak and the innocent. As a Sikh, I am required to fulfill that obligation and by wearing a turban, others can hold me to that duty.
How often do you wear it?
I wear a turban almost daily. When I’m lazy or otherwise disinclined, I wear a bandana.
How long does it take to put it on?
The total process is eight minutes long. Here’s the breakdown: rolling the 8’ x 6’ cloth (two minutes); wrapping it around my head (three minutes); and adjustments and refinements (three minutes). If going to an important event, total time is 10 or 12 minutes (due to increases in the “wrapping” and “adjustment” portions).
Have you had any negative experiences as a result of wearing it?
In many parts of the world, Sikhs are not well known. While serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bolivia, I was initially called Osama on virtually every street corner. However, after working hard to integrate, I was accepted into my community. I had the great fortune of becoming a godfather to a Catholic baby just before leaving. That cultural integration turned out to be one of the most positive experiences in my life.
Any interesting or amusing experiences related to it?
In Bolivia, I was often asked to read people’s palms. Once I was asked to use my mystical powers and tell someone what color his ”aura” was. At KSG, I can never miss a class because all the professors know exactly who I am and where I sit. According to a fellow MPA, I’m a “freaking lighthouse.”
This article is part of a larger series “Dress Code.”
