Two ‘Turn Around America’ Video Contest Winners Named

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/06/25/two-turn-around-america-video-contest-winners-named/

by Mike Hall, Jun 25, 2008

The Grand Prize and Young Activist winners of the AFL-CIO’s “Turn Around America Online Video Competition“ have been selected and you can see them here: http://www.turnaroundvideocontest.com/



Michael Newman, 19, of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., takes the Grand Prize with his video, “What’s Wrong with America,” which focuses on soaring gas prices, Detroit’s auto industry and Michigan’s devastated manufacturing economy.


The Young Activist award goes to Jean Carlo Penaloza, 22, of Brandon, Fla., whose Spanish language video explores how immigrants are drawn to America and find a nation of lost dreams, with expensive housing and soaring food and fuel prices. The Young Activist award winner was selected from entrants 14 to 25 years old.


Says AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker:

Young people took up the union movement’s challenge to tell us not only why America isn’t working the way it should, but also to give concrete ideas as to how this country can turn things around. Our goal was to engage people in a new way that will channel creativity and energy into a national discussion on what is necessary to get America back on track. The winning videos are provocative and creative, and should do just that.

The video contest is part of a larger AFL-CIO Turn Around America initiative, which will run through the summer, featuring major events in battleground states to build grassroots momentum to elect leaders who will fight for health care, good jobs and an economy that works for all.


The contest idea was inspired by a question from retired steelworker Steve Skvara last summer to the candidates at the AFL-CIO Presidential Candidates Forum. Skvara asked: “What’s wrong with America and what will you do to change it?”


The winners were selected by a panel of judges, including representatives from the worlds of labor, film, stage, documentaries, comedy and television, along with Skvara. Both winners receive $2,000 and edited versions of their videos will be broadcast as part of a television ad later this summer.


Says Newman, at the end of his presentation:

We need to use opportunities like the coming elections to discuss what’s really important to America and how we can bring about change by demanding higher standards and accountability from our government, our corporations, our system of education and for ourselves.