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Scholarship Application Public Information

Barak Wouk

Name:	Barak Wouk
Location:	Santa Cruz, CA

My personal volunteering highlight:

It was three days before election night, and I was going door-to-door for Barack Obama in northern Virginia. I knocked on a door and a kind looking older lady opened it. I explained to her that I was with the campaign, and asked her if she had any questions or any issues that were personally important to her. She told me that her house was likely to be foreclosed, and that she was not sure what she was going to do because it would be almost impossible for someone her age to start from scratch.

Of course I had heard about foreclosures , but until this point they had simply been an increasing number with loosely defined economic impacts. talking with someone who was actually facing loosing their home allowed me to better conceptualize and empathize with this personal catastrophe. Destitute should never be a concern in the richest nation in the world. And yet, thousands of people have been unjustly thrust into hopelessness by actions beyond their control.

For me, this encounter cemented the real-world importance of that election.

What motivates me:

There is no one thing or idea that keeps me active. There are many things in this world that need to be changed, and I feel like I can (in whatever small way) help bring about those changes. It would be uncomfortable for me not to be active or involved.

How I try to motivate others:

I try to motivate others to stay active by showing them how they can easily help without having to become a full-time activist. I founded Texbooks4Change.com, which allows students to raise money to repeal prop 8 simply by purchasing their textbooks through our link. Most "non political" people care about issues and are willing to do simple things to help if you give them or show them those opportunities.

Blogging

I run/manage these blogs:
GotDemocracy (no longer active/updated)

I read these blogs often:
dailykos
openleft

Participation in the blogosphere is important because...

Blogging allows people to discuss, share and collaborate in a way that enables anyone anywhere to make a real contribution to the world of progressive politics.

A Little Bit About Barak Wouk

I am currently a sophomore at Columbia University . I am driven by my belief that new media can power innovation in the world of progressive politics. Recently I founded Textbooks4Change.com, an organization/tool that allows students to fundraise for the Courage Campaign’s marriage equality program by purchasing textbooks. For High School I went to an independent-studies program that allowed me to design my own curriculum. This freedom let me explore my passion for politics and filmmaking.

In 2005 I founded InfalliBull Productions, a group that has produced skits, short documentaries and advertisements (including ones that were bought by Sony and Mountain Dew.) In 2008 I Co-Founded TrueProgressive.com, a political film organization that has produced material for the California Democrat Party and Al Gore’s Current TV. I have also attended the New Organizing Institute’s 2007 summer BootCamp .

Why I Deserve a Scholarship to Attend

I attended NetRoots Nation last year and found it to be a thrilling and enlightening experience. This physical manifestation of the online progressive community allows people to expand their scopes, spur new ideas, and increase the unity and Camaraderie important for future partnerships. The only disappointment I found was the lack of a strong student presence.

I was really happy to learn that this year NetRoots Nation was offering a generous student price to enable bigger student involvement. Unfortunately, even with this deep discount, the cost additional cost of airfare and a hotel room would make it unlikely for me to be able to attend without the DFA scholarship. I hope I will be given this chance to help represent the younger end of the progressive NetRoots.