Critical Thinking

BY LORI BETH LEMMON


Did you know there is an entire organization dedicated to critical thinking? I didn’t know it until today. It is called The Foundation for Critical Thinking, and it is appropriately addressed as www.criticalthinking.org. In case you don’t take time to visit the site, here are some basics for critical thinking in everyday life.

First are the stages of critical thinking development:

One: The Unreflective Thinker (we are unaware of significant problems in our thinking)

Two: The Challenged Thinker (we become aware of problems in our thinking)

Three: The Beginning Thinker (we try to improve but without regular practice)

Four: The Practicing Thinker (we recognize the necessity of regular practice)

Five: The Advanced Thinker (we advance in accordance with our practice)

Six: The Master Thinker (skilled & insightful thinking become second nature to us)

However, we cannot advance through these stages unless we:
• Accept the fact that there are serious problems in our thinking, and
• Begin regular practice.

So, if you can stomach the idea that there might be serious problems with your thinking, and you are willing to make a commitment to thinking more critically, here are the nine strategies suggested:

1. Use “Wasted” Time.
2. A Problem A Day.
3. Internalize Intellectual Standards (check back later for a detailed list of the Intellectual Standards)
4. Keep An Intellectual Journal.
5. Reshape Your Character.
6. Deal with Your Ego.
7. Redefine the Way You See Things.
8. Get in touch with your emotions.
9. Analyze group influences on your life.

If you are thinking that this “think tank” stuff is a little much, don’t be discouraged. According to the web site, mastering the art of critical thinking should be viewed as a lifelong journey. So pretty much like anything else in life, if you want to be good at it, plan on lots of practice and discipline.

The True Champions of New Orleans

BY JOHNICE WOODS

If you have been out of the loop of life since Sunday, you missed a spectacular win by the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV (44). As I watched thousands of fans descend upon the famous Bourbon Street in New Orleans, I was reminded of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Millions of federal and nonprofit funds have been poured into New Orleans for the development of the city’s infrastructure in its most impoverished neighborhoods.

A former New Orleans Saints player named Danny Wuerffel is a true champion and MVP of New Orleans. After Danny retired from the NFL, he began his “heart” work in New Orleans at Desire Street Ministries (DSM) as its Executive Director. DSM’s mission is to transform impoverished neighborhoods through spiritual and community development. Some of DSM’s current initiatives include Desire Street Academy (a school for at risk junior and senior African-American males), St. Roch Community Church (a multi-cultural church that provides outreach to the St. Roch and St. Claude neighborhoods), and CDC 58:12 (a partnership between DSM and residents of the Christian community that focuses on restoring and redeveloping affordable housing for low to moderate income families in the Ninth Ward area). Hmmm…DSM sounds like two familiar local nonprofits, Central Dallas Ministries and Central Dallas CDC, perhaps?

I encourage you to read about Desire Street Ministries in New Orleans. While you celebrate with the newly crowned Super Bowl champions you will be inspired by the awesome work of DSM. For more information on DSM, click on the following link:

http://www.desirestreet.org

Things Are Different Now

BY NAQUANNA COMEAUX

I remember interviewing our residents some months ago when they were going through the application process for CityWalk. They were either homeless or at risk for homelessness and anxious to move in. They would frequently call or stop by our office just to check on the status of their application for residency. They couldn’t wait for the chance to start their lives over again, as residents of CityWalk.

What a joy it is to now see those same residents on the elevator, in the lobby, or in the hallways at CityWalk, going about their new lives, with smiles on their faces and words of gratitude for our staff. Every day, we’re witnessing a transformation in the lives of our residents, and we’re happy to be a part of it.

Thank you, Mr. Miles

By Johnice Woods, Director of Projects


As many of you know or may not know, the month of February is deemed Black History Month. Black History Month was established in 1936 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the son of former slaves and a renowned scholar from Harvard. The purpose of Black History Month is to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions to America by Black citizens.

One of my fondest memories as a child is when my mother, who was a student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX, took me on campus to attend a play entitled, “A Day in a Life without Black Inventions”. I was so intrigued to learn about so many inventions created by Black Americans. I am reminded daily of one of those inventions as I walk into CityWalk each day.

Currently, our elevators are operated manually at 511 N. Akard. This meaning, you just can’t call an elevator in the lobby and select your floor. Someone has to take you to your destination throughout the building by turning a key inside the cab.

So why this story? An African-American of the late 19th century by the name of Alexander Miles was a contributor to the elevator industry still used today. Mr. Miles invented the mechanism that allowed an elevator to open and close automatically when the elevator was not on the floor. He also invented a device that allowed a door to close automatically to the elevator shaft. Before this invention, operators or users would have to manually close a door to cut off access to the elevator shaft. Often people would forget to close the door, which caused accidents of people falling down elevator shafts.

So, when the CityWalk elevators become fully renovated and I am able to call for my cab, I will remember to thank Mr. Alexander Miles for his wise and useful invention.

Kevin’s Last Day

BY NAQUANNA COMEAUX

Yesterday was Kevin Flagg’s last day with Central Dallas CDC. He is transferring to Central Dallas Ministries, our sister organization, where he will work as the housing coordinator for the Destination Home program. This position is perfect for Kevin who has a passion for helping people overcome life’s struggles to become what they were truly meant to be. This is something he’s been doing so effectively as our community outreach assistant at Central Dallas CDC.

It has been such a joy working with Kevin. He is a genuinely caring person with a heart of gold, and we’re really going to miss him. But the good thing is he won't be too far away!

Congratulations Kevin!

Photo: Johnice Woods, Naquanna Comeaux, Nick Sowell, and Kevin Flagg.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

BY NAQUANNA COMEAUX

On behalf of the residents of CityWalk at Akard, we would like to thank John M. Nolan and Lynda Zimmerman for the generous donations that were delivered to 511 N. Akard yesterday. The couple donated a host of items, which included a propane grill and a treadmill.

We’d also like to thank Jamie Beach, Central Dallas Ministries Thrift Store donations coordinator, and CDM Thrift movers, Martin Evans and Martin Bragg, for coordinating the pickup and getting the items to CityWalk.

Reaching Out

BY NICK SOWELL


Yesterday afternoon while at the gas station I was approached by a middle-aged homeless lady. She did not want money or food; she just wanted to know how long it would take to walk to Addison.

Here was a woman in real need, not asking for money, and basically on the edge of crying. As any decent person should do, I gave her cab money to get to Addison. It just reminded me to always be giving, loving, and caring for my fellow man. It brought to mind how small my problems are in comparison to others and how we must constantly reach out to others no matter the circumstances.