Ian+T.

Phase I: Who Am I? What's My Place?


 * What __really__  makes up your identity?

My family is who I am. There is nothing that would not do or have not done for them. I have my dreams still but I make them wait. They will happen in their own time but my family will always come first for me.


 * What __really__  makes up your sense of place?

I have the feeling that I belong where I can do the most. It may not be the greatest situation but sometimes life puts you in places where you can do the most good. That is where my place is and I am finding that it is a constantly moving place. If I am helping people then that is my place.


 * What roles do your identity and sense of place play when you work with others in a group project?

My identity and sense of place will combine in several ways in this project. We are all in physically different places but we are here in this place. We are all here to learn from and help one another so in this regard we are an extended family of sorts.


 * What are the qualities that you bring to the GLIP conversation that will help you make a contribution to your global group?

I have traveled around the world a little so I do have some global perspective on things. I worked a variety of jobs and served in the United States Navy before I started my college experiences. My life experiences have served my very well in helping me understand and succeed in my academic pursuits because of the unique perspective through which I can see and interpret information.


 * What is one local problem (where you live) that you believe needs to be addressed? Suggest some steps could you take to try to solve it?

To be honest, I have no idea of any of the local problems where I live. This sounds bad so I am just going to assume that it is. Perhaps this is the "local problem" that I need to try and solve?


 * Finally, some problems have been around for a long time. What qualities do you think a person must have to step up and try to solve them?

The problems that have been around for a long time sometimes require even more attention to detail than when they initially appeared. To try and solve these problems, a person must be qualified and up to date with various technologies and approaches in problem solving. Being able to navigate and find new knowledge and information in the new global community is a must have ability. There is also a certain level of determination, dedication, and passion that comes with this territory.

Phase II: Sense of Place

Upload image (s) here:



This is a collection of photos from Chapel Hill, NC. This is where I live and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill is the heartbeat of this community.

I was unable to place these videos here so I will provide the links instead. Every year my family and I go to the Haliwa-Saponi powwow in Hollister, NC. I am not Native American but the contributions of Native Americans are very important to the state of North Carolina and I want my children to better understand their history and heritage. Here are the links to view an inter-tribal dance and a song performed at the 2011 powwow in the language of the Haliwa-Saponi tribe. The language is called Tutelo.

Use these questions to help you determine which picture shows someone else why your “place” is so special to you.
 * Does a scenic picture represent the beauty you believe that your town has?
 * Does a picture of a group of people represent and show a warmth and friendliness that your town has?
 * Does a statue or building convey the feeling of history that makes your place important and unique?
 * Is there a cultural event that represents the values of your home location?

What are your initial thoughts about how your image addresses the questions above? Later, you will be working with the members of your group to create a travel package that includes visits to each group member's home location (see Phase II)

Phase III: Identify Local Issue:

__What is your local issue?__

A really big local issue here in the state of North Carolina is whether or not same sex marriage should be made legal.

__What can you do to be address the issue?__

I am not very familiar with all the specifics of the issue so I think it would require me to do some research on both sides of the issue. I do not want to be misinformed before making a decision. My initial reaction is that I have no problem with it despite my religious upbringing. People deserve to be happy.

__What is the global impact of your local issue?__

Globally I think that the U.S. is behind on this issue but again I am not 100% on that.

__Add these thoughts to your Group's Discussion Forum on Local Issues__