LETTERS TO THE FUTURE BICENTENNIAL TIME CAPSULE PROJECT
Students (Pre-K through 12th grade) in Columbus City Schools were invited to send a letter to be included in the Mayor’s Time Capsule, a project to mark the end of Columbus’s Bicentennial year. All letters were promised anonymity—the ultimate writing assignment—never to be graded within their lifetime. As the only person who prepared the letters for their archival journey to 2212, Doreen Uhas Sauer kept the students’ confidence but is sharing some impressions.
The letters came from the very youngest—4 and 5 year olds—to the 18 year olds looking forward to graduation—and they arrived in English but many also came with their own bilingual translations in Spanish, Russian, Chinese, French, Thai, Arabic, Cambodian, Laotian, and Japanese. Over 6,500 letters came from more than 60 schools across all of Columbus’s neighborhoods.
They arrived addressed to People of the Future, Students of the Future, and Columbus Citizens of the Future, and to My great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandchild (8 greats assuming a new generation every 25 years). They were signed as a “Student from 2013,” a “Person from the Past,” or sometimes, “Your Ancestor” or “Your Grandpappy.” Almost all students hoped they could see into the future to see how Columbus had changed.
The letters came from the very youngest—4 and 5 year olds—to the 18 year olds looking forward to graduation—and they arrived in English but many also came with their own bilingual translations in Spanish, Russian, Chinese, French, Thai, Arabic, Cambodian, Laotian, and Japanese. Over 6,500 letters came from more than 60 schools across all of Columbus’s neighborhoods.
They arrived addressed to People of the Future, Students of the Future, and Columbus Citizens of the Future, and to My great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandchild (8 greats assuming a new generation every 25 years). They were signed as a “Student from 2013,” a “Person from the Past,” or sometimes, “Your Ancestor” or “Your Grandpappy.” Almost all students hoped they could see into the future to see how Columbus had changed.
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In one case, a student said he had 42 million dollars in a bank deposit and, if resuscitated by a descendent and a miracle discovery, would give out the password to let his reviver have 8 million of it.
The letters from the youngest students shared daily events and what was meaningful to them—the color green or purple or blue; their love for mom, their dad, and even their brother. They live with parents and step parents, two moms or two dads, and with many siblings. Favorite foods are “mac-aroney” and pizza. They play basketball in the gym and math games on the computer, share secrets with their cat (Jasmine, Smokey, Jazz, Vivian) or their dog (Spud, Roscoe, Pete, Buddy). The elementary students said they frequently go to the library. Most mentioned they love to read, and some shared long lists of books they recommend to future students. Almost all are familiar with X-boxes, I-phones, and some form of social media like Twitter, but they still play the timeless games of childhood—tag, dolls, squares, jump rope, tic-tac-toe. Columbus school students are artists, wish they had instruments to play, and they like school. A class of pre-schoolers wrote a collective letter about how they help the community. Many, many elementary and middle school students participate in recycling, And from the youngest to the oldest, they are all acutely aware they are writing to the future from the past. (A few did hope that someone would write back to them) They knew that technology would change because it changes daily—and they hoped it will bring a cure to cancer. They drew and labeled what I-pads, apps, flat screen TVs, and alarm clocks look like and how they operate; gave advice about being serious about taking school seriously and joining a homework club; wished they could live long enough to see a flying car but were aware that computers and cars may no longer exist in the future. Middle school students shared daily routines and special outings with parents (especially in the summer). They wrote about skinny jeans, computer games, favorite movies, rap artists, and Justin Bieber. Elementary students hoped that in the future students also liked to read because “you can learn from reading and learning is really fun.” They understand the importance of doing well in math and take great pride in winning high math scores and knowing the tallest building is in Malaysia--but they worry—will there still be alligators and polar bears? What will happen to the world’s climates in 200 years? Why do so many people get cancer? Where will I live with if my grandmother dies? Will there be moms and dads to take care of children in the future? How long will the war with Afghanistan last? Will all people have jobs? Will people take too many drugs? Will I ever see my grandparents and cousins again in Iraq? Nepal? Mexico? What is happening to the other children in Sandy Hook? In addition to going to the mall, being on Facebook, listening to music, and hanging out with friends, middle schoolers worry too—about being late for school, the environment and the future of fossil fuels, how to help a parent with m.s., how to stop air pollution in China and water pollution in Ohio, the possibility of a nuclear war, a never-ending war in Afghanistan, making good grades, and wondering how they will know what they want to do with their futures. They are filled with rhetorical questions and advice—will a 400 year old Columbus be twice as big? Do people discuss still religion and politics? “Although I might be dead, fix modern society and keep on improving,” “Remember our History.” They overwhelmingly worry more about a cure for cancer than about the future of football—though there is a strong love of local teams, the Blue Jackets, the Crew, and the Buckeyes, especially. They have willing joined the Americans who consume new products, love to shop for clothes, but are aware that they should not consume junk food (though most mentioned some fast food item that was their favorite). Both elementary and middle school students frequently mentioned they loved Columbus, loved all the parks, and liked Columbus because it was “so green.” They find Columbus one of the “best places” and commented on friendly, “mellow” people. There is both elation that a student in the future (one they have already bonded with in their minds) will not witness racism or bullying and sadness that they will never eat a Twinkee. They feel safe in their schools but not always in their neighborhoods. And they worry about “bad” neighborhoods, even those who see their own neighborhood as safe and clean. Many feel that their school, even the older schools, are well cared for but are surrounded by littered streets, boarded-up houses, neglected yards, abandoned cars, no sidewalks, dirty and empty warehouses, and no flowers. Why do adults litter? Do adults have no pride? Or no money? Many students don’t want things torn down or the neighborhood to change, but they want houses and yards fixed up, cleaned up, and lived in. They play lacrosse, basketball, hockey, softball, soccer and a variety of sports. They want to be educated for the future—as physical therapists, vets, teachers, doctors, sketch or digital artists, or writers and authors (but don’t like it when school intervenes when they want to write). They value all types of music because it is one way they can connect to other cultures and people who are of different ethnicities, races, and backgrounds. Some students provided their own dictionaries of slang terms, musical artists, and common expressions—including “swag” and “swagger.” While many, many Columbus students were born in Columbus, others have come by way of Nepal, California, Bhutan, India, Mississippi, Gambia, Haiti, Congo, Togo, Louisiana, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Kentucky, Mauritania, Iraq, Iran, China, Wisconsin, Ghana, Harlem, Los Angeles, Mexico, Fort Wayne, Puerto Rico, Oklahoma, Brazil, Cleveland, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Columbia, Somalia, Atlantic City, Ethiopia, Milwaukee, Kenya, and many small towns in the United States. Of those students who have come with families from another country, they miss living at the base of Mt. Everest or are sad that the animals of the Mideast or Africa are no longer part of their daily sightings, but they are happy in Columbus because they have escaped war, violence, famine, refugee camps, and their parents’ unemployment. They are happy because their parents are happy and it has been easy to make friends in school—even when they did not know one word of English. High school students especially hope it is better in the future. While elementary students will say they know slavery ended in the 1860s, high school students aren’t so sure. They are acutely aware of human trafficking. Many write about crack dealers, shootings, and life being a mixed blessing—they are still in school, but they are very aware of their past and their future. They may know (now that they are older) that their dad had abused their mothers, their mom is on drugs, and their family is held together by grandparents. While some students are just learning that one parent may not be a biological parent, other students embrace an extended family of step children, half brothers and sisters, and foster siblings. They see homelessness everywhere. |
Participating Schools
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While one student said that his letter was a voice from a lost generation that lost its values over money and violence, another commented that his father gave him the gift of music and “your character shows what you are when no one is looking.” They were hard on their own generation and do not understand or accept that their generation may have lost its way.
Many commented on great teachers, there was one person for whom there was universal love and admiration—the grandmother—one student saying she is “the star in the sky.” Another commented on the strength of his grandmother and his slowly dying grandfather—and yet, concluded with “the city gives me a chance to be more than I hope for…”
There are quiet revelations in their letters—the 10th grader who discovered humanities class and A Separate Peace, reading while taking care of his 8 month old daughter; the family who came from Iraq and love the safety and opportunity of the city; the boy from Ghana who loves Chipotle and his Mexican girlfriend; the number of students who confessed in the letter who they were secretly in love with (and then were embarrassed at the thought that perhaps a future descendent would read this); the girl who enclosed a hair for DNA analysis by future people in Columbus looking for their ancestor; the boy who attached a dollar in case his future offspring would need a rare bill to cash in; the students who commented on how green the city is and how everywhere one can hear birds; the student who drew a penguin to show they still exist; the girl who hoped Beethoven was still listened to because his music should transcend the ages; the student who wryly asked if Texas was still a state in the future; and the student who called Columbus “a small candle in the large dark mansions of the world.”
Religion was important, important, important to most students—and so too was tolerance and acceptance of all religious beliefs. And art was extremely important—it was mentioned in far greater proportion to sports or other amenities of the city. Students judged Columbus by the way it nurtured and cultivated artists. It was this observation more than any other that made them know this is where they wanted to live and stay.
Many students are proud that the city is home to so many diverse peoples and enjoy their school when supports their getting to know each other and fosters a culture of appreciated differences. Many commented on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the importance of equality extending to all (especially gay marriage), and how proud and amazed they are that the United States has an African American president. President Obama is recognized for what he has achieved but also seen as a leader who has much to do.
Though most high school students would have been very young, there is a defining moment in national and world history for them—the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers has been seared into their minds—and they know (and they knew then) that life would be different from the life their parents and grandparents might have had.
They have advice for future students--how to keep good character and be more than just a man, how to flirt with girls, how to spot untrustworthy people, how to heal a broken heart. They ask that adults in the future show young people how to have hope. “Columbus is a place to build a strong foundation for your future and your offspring for generations to come.” One said “remember the past,” and another that education was the most valuable thing future students would have. The importance of education was repeated by many. Another said that Columbus was the most amazing place in the world--people are kind to each other.
Many, many students were flattered that they had been asked by Mayor Coleman to write a letter to the future—and many commented that he is the only mayor they have ever known in their lifetime.
At risk of violating the trust that students could write in confidentiality, there is an excerpt below with no school, age, neighborhood, or gender mentioned—but it is included because it is aspirational and typical of many, many letters to the future.
“I have chosen to write to you because I want to leave a part of me behind in this world for my loved ones to read. I hope you will be able to find my grandchild or grandchildren and give them this. If you do I want them to know that I will accept them for whoever they are whether they are gay or straight, Caucasian or biracial, Christian or atheist. I will love them very much. I hope, dear reader, you do too. I do not know how much the world will have changed in the future since I departed. I hope it will stay the way it is right now. When I can walk down the street and wave to someone and they will wave back with a smile. And where we can sleep with our doors unlocked and with peace of mind. Make a world of peace for your children just as my parents have done for me. As I write to those of you in the future, I realize how much I’ll miss being there. I want to make a change in this world, but I might not be able to make that happen in my lifetime. I can only hope that the children of the future can change the world for the better. We are only here for a little time. So much is yet to be figured out about this world. I don’t what you believe in and I don’t want to change your thoughts. But at least I know one thing. Maybe we are put on this earth for something bigger than ourselves but for right now I haven’t figured the reason out yet. This paper has gotten a little serious to I think I need to lighten it up. I hope the city will be beautiful and the people who inhabit it. I have always thought of Ohio as a small state where nothing ever happens. I was wrong. I see now that no matter where you look you can never find people as genuine as your neighbors here. I really do hope you are reading this.”
Many commented on great teachers, there was one person for whom there was universal love and admiration—the grandmother—one student saying she is “the star in the sky.” Another commented on the strength of his grandmother and his slowly dying grandfather—and yet, concluded with “the city gives me a chance to be more than I hope for…”
There are quiet revelations in their letters—the 10th grader who discovered humanities class and A Separate Peace, reading while taking care of his 8 month old daughter; the family who came from Iraq and love the safety and opportunity of the city; the boy from Ghana who loves Chipotle and his Mexican girlfriend; the number of students who confessed in the letter who they were secretly in love with (and then were embarrassed at the thought that perhaps a future descendent would read this); the girl who enclosed a hair for DNA analysis by future people in Columbus looking for their ancestor; the boy who attached a dollar in case his future offspring would need a rare bill to cash in; the students who commented on how green the city is and how everywhere one can hear birds; the student who drew a penguin to show they still exist; the girl who hoped Beethoven was still listened to because his music should transcend the ages; the student who wryly asked if Texas was still a state in the future; and the student who called Columbus “a small candle in the large dark mansions of the world.”
Religion was important, important, important to most students—and so too was tolerance and acceptance of all religious beliefs. And art was extremely important—it was mentioned in far greater proportion to sports or other amenities of the city. Students judged Columbus by the way it nurtured and cultivated artists. It was this observation more than any other that made them know this is where they wanted to live and stay.
Many students are proud that the city is home to so many diverse peoples and enjoy their school when supports their getting to know each other and fosters a culture of appreciated differences. Many commented on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the importance of equality extending to all (especially gay marriage), and how proud and amazed they are that the United States has an African American president. President Obama is recognized for what he has achieved but also seen as a leader who has much to do.
Though most high school students would have been very young, there is a defining moment in national and world history for them—the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers has been seared into their minds—and they know (and they knew then) that life would be different from the life their parents and grandparents might have had.
They have advice for future students--how to keep good character and be more than just a man, how to flirt with girls, how to spot untrustworthy people, how to heal a broken heart. They ask that adults in the future show young people how to have hope. “Columbus is a place to build a strong foundation for your future and your offspring for generations to come.” One said “remember the past,” and another that education was the most valuable thing future students would have. The importance of education was repeated by many. Another said that Columbus was the most amazing place in the world--people are kind to each other.
Many, many students were flattered that they had been asked by Mayor Coleman to write a letter to the future—and many commented that he is the only mayor they have ever known in their lifetime.
At risk of violating the trust that students could write in confidentiality, there is an excerpt below with no school, age, neighborhood, or gender mentioned—but it is included because it is aspirational and typical of many, many letters to the future.
“I have chosen to write to you because I want to leave a part of me behind in this world for my loved ones to read. I hope you will be able to find my grandchild or grandchildren and give them this. If you do I want them to know that I will accept them for whoever they are whether they are gay or straight, Caucasian or biracial, Christian or atheist. I will love them very much. I hope, dear reader, you do too. I do not know how much the world will have changed in the future since I departed. I hope it will stay the way it is right now. When I can walk down the street and wave to someone and they will wave back with a smile. And where we can sleep with our doors unlocked and with peace of mind. Make a world of peace for your children just as my parents have done for me. As I write to those of you in the future, I realize how much I’ll miss being there. I want to make a change in this world, but I might not be able to make that happen in my lifetime. I can only hope that the children of the future can change the world for the better. We are only here for a little time. So much is yet to be figured out about this world. I don’t what you believe in and I don’t want to change your thoughts. But at least I know one thing. Maybe we are put on this earth for something bigger than ourselves but for right now I haven’t figured the reason out yet. This paper has gotten a little serious to I think I need to lighten it up. I hope the city will be beautiful and the people who inhabit it. I have always thought of Ohio as a small state where nothing ever happens. I was wrong. I see now that no matter where you look you can never find people as genuine as your neighbors here. I really do hope you are reading this.”
