daniel johnson, as organizer, and Jayson Porter, as Field coordinator (their titles were discussed, added, changed and exchanged, never carved on stone) meet each group and attempt to develop a network between them. We keep in touch SKYPING. Below is what they have heard:
- FARISH ST with Pamela Junior and Jason Thompson: a simple representation would not be inspiring, imposing; Jackson was the heart of the Blues at one time, with recording studios, live shows, the Alamo theater ... We need to motivate residents, but people who know the history do not live here any more. the prop could become a space where to record stories; they would be kept at Smith Robertson. Need to grow the group.
- TOUGALOO: record stories from seniors; maybe two other teachers will be involved (William Green, religious studies; Steve Rozman, director of civic engagement and social responsibilities). Provost is a poet. Administration is interested. Piece will be shown at Tougaloo in April. There seems to be a spot of engagement in the Print shop.
- MIDTOWN: daniel confused about how to involve the Midtown artists; with more unsolicited engagement on his part comes disengagement of Monika and Midtown partners. Monica sees yet an other outsider group eager to run the show.
CONFUSION from e-mails highlighting POWER RELATIONS questions (Black - White, Artists/Creative Communities - Social Services. What is a local?) "My impression is that things could have gone smoother if Monika had known that the artists had hired assistants and introductions had been made. It could have perhaps allowed the artists to offer their assistants as helpers and changed the perception which evolved, that is the feeling that the assistants were taking control of the project after it had been understood that the artists had given Monika and Midtown partners the control initially." daniel johnson.
We need to get with daniel about such well established, autonomous groups with a strong vision. They look for partners to build community, not "help".
- THE CAPITOL team includes now groups in Rankin High, Pelahatchie Schools, Nollie Jenkins Family Center in Holmes County, a group from the coast (?).
Many issues are discussed: panels may be organized in March.
- OPERATION SHOESTRING: considered the Lanier high school feeder. May engage The Ladybugs (adults), Tonja Murphy (in charge of Middle School). Parents put in charge of the lockers. Education + Maths = Speed Balls.
- FARISH ST with Pamela Junior and Jason Thompson: a simple representation would not be inspiring, imposing; Jackson was the heart of the Blues at one time, with recording studios, live shows, the Alamo theater ... We need to motivate residents, but people who know the history do not live here any more. the prop could become a space where to record stories; they would be kept at Smith Robertson. Need to grow the group.
- TOUGALOO: record stories from seniors; maybe two other teachers will be involved (William Green, religious studies; Steve Rozman, director of civic engagement and social responsibilities). Provost is a poet. Administration is interested. Piece will be shown at Tougaloo in April. There seems to be a spot of engagement in the Print shop.
- MIDTOWN: daniel confused about how to involve the Midtown artists; with more unsolicited engagement on his part comes disengagement of Monika and Midtown partners. Monica sees yet an other outsider group eager to run the show.
CONFUSION from e-mails highlighting POWER RELATIONS questions (Black - White, Artists/Creative Communities - Social Services. What is a local?) "My impression is that things could have gone smoother if Monika had known that the artists had hired assistants and introductions had been made. It could have perhaps allowed the artists to offer their assistants as helpers and changed the perception which evolved, that is the feeling that the assistants were taking control of the project after it had been understood that the artists had given Monika and Midtown partners the control initially." daniel johnson.
We need to get with daniel about such well established, autonomous groups with a strong vision. They look for partners to build community, not "help".
- THE CAPITOL team includes now groups in Rankin High, Pelahatchie Schools, Nollie Jenkins Family Center in Holmes County, a group from the coast (?).
Many issues are discussed: panels may be organized in March.
- OPERATION SHOESTRING: considered the Lanier high school feeder. May engage The Ladybugs (adults), Tonja Murphy (in charge of Middle School). Parents put in charge of the lockers. Education + Maths = Speed Balls.
December 2, 2012 - January 12, 2013
- daniel and Jayson LETTER PROJECT:
We think it would be enriching for the project to give daniel and Jason, our assistants, a space for a project within the project.
"One of the first actions we are asking all the initial participants to take part in is a letter writing exercise. This exercise was inspired by the letters your students are already sending to each other inside Operation Shoestring. It is a great way to inspire dialog here at the onset of the project. In this action, all the current lead participants will receive a stamped envelope addressed to another participant in another group. Each person will write a letter introducing themselves and briefly discussing their initial thoughts and reflections on the project." daniel and Jayson.
While stamped and addressed envelopes were handed out, there was not much of a positive response from current participants. Following discussions among themselves, Jayson and daniel decided that instead they would each handwrite and mail a letter to each current participant, telling them about their thoughts and hopes for the project and their particular group.
We think it would be enriching for the project to give daniel and Jason, our assistants, a space for a project within the project.
"One of the first actions we are asking all the initial participants to take part in is a letter writing exercise. This exercise was inspired by the letters your students are already sending to each other inside Operation Shoestring. It is a great way to inspire dialog here at the onset of the project. In this action, all the current lead participants will receive a stamped envelope addressed to another participant in another group. Each person will write a letter introducing themselves and briefly discussing their initial thoughts and reflections on the project." daniel and Jayson.
While stamped and addressed envelopes were handed out, there was not much of a positive response from current participants. Following discussions among themselves, Jayson and daniel decided that instead they would each handwrite and mail a letter to each current participant, telling them about their thoughts and hopes for the project and their particular group.