reGenerations
"History is who we are and why we are the way we are."
-David McCullough, historian
Dear Writers,
​
The New Courant is a publication for youth opinion writing. It is a place where teenagers can publish editorials and book reviews, sharing their opinions and perspectives on the world we live in. In the beginning, I founded The New Courant because I love to write. History, too, though, fascinates me. I read historical fiction novels and study history books, and I think about how much history we lose every day.
I have two grandparents, who are like my second parents. They have influenced how I view the events, problems, solutions, people in our world. And more than anything, they have helped me appreciate the role of intergenerational connections in expanding perspectives.
The New Courant is a publication for the opinions of young people. However, I now know that the people around us shape who we are, how we think, and how we see our world. These are the people who inspire us, the people who we look up to.
As I thought about all of this, I realized how important it is that we preserve the stories of the aging people in our lives. We must preserve the stories of the people who inspire us, so that we can better understand what makes each of us the unique individual we are today.
reGenerations is an oral history project at the intersection of preserving history, furthering intergenerational connections, and understanding the origins of our diverse perspectives. I challenge you to think of an older adult you look up to. Sit down, have a conversation, and ask who they look up to. Who shaped them into who they have become? Record their oral history. Believe in the power of your words, and their words.
Anne Rong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
Why reGenerations?
Humans have always passed stories between generations. We recounted tales of our past as a way to hold on to memories and voices. Oral history is rooted in this tradition. It allows us to use the power of language and writing to record the stories of people who lived before us. And in doing so, we not only preserve history, but learn more about others, ourselves, and what shapes the present. We can understand how perspectives live on as they are passed between people - how perspectives regenerate across generations.
​
Planning and executing an oral history project teaches various skills, including how to:
-
prepare questions
-
interview and engage others
-
edit to tell a concise narrative
Beyond basic academic skills, ReGenerations also:
-
promotes intergenerational connections between teenagers and seniors
-
expands perspectives
-
preserves history
​
See How to Record an Oral History for more details and a step-by-step guide.
​
How to Participate
Get involved in reGenerations!
01
Independently
Participate in reGenerations from home. All you need is a subject, questions, and time! See our Guide for more detailed info on conducting your oral history project, and use the form below to submit.
​
02
Schools and Other Organizations
Teaching reGenerations is a live workshop series designed to guide students through the process of creating a reGenerations profile. Visit Teaching ReGenerations to learn more about how to bring this program to your school or organization.