Today was another mall day. Not having reliable Internet is really bothersome. It’s really funny how my idea of a fun evening is sitting in the mall with some friends and checking my email. On the flip side, its been so long since I’ve had Internet that I can’t remember what I used to spend hours a day doing.
The GS components today were interesting but frustrating. No times are clearly decided on and information is not disseminated to the group efficiently. There are always changes to the schedule and the leaders (not the immediate leaders) often drop by and make statements that are not left open to comments or suggestions.
I am in the Alex group (a decision I am happy with) and in the youth, culture and community group (another choice I am happy with). We’ve begun planning an event that will encompass our research on gender and health as well as other NS research on youth and culture. There is a design aspect to the event, namely some kind of structure to showcase art and disseminate information (possibly concrete although I do not think that 10 days is enough for concrete to cure). It was a serious challenge to get the architects and planners to understand that they can not just place these concrete structures around Alex with out going through the proper channels (especially when one of the mentors said that we could ignore the local laws and practices). Land is too contested of an issue to try and take even a street corner for a project, even if the project will benefit the community.
The architects and planners (not all, but a significant portion) have all stressed the desire to leave something permanent behind. Concrete is the chosen medium because of its durability, both to theft and vandalism. It is very frustrating to hear the way that Alex is talked about by people that have only been there for five hours. The community in Alex is not prone to theft or vandalism. They are of lower economic means but that does not imply a propensity to violence. I wonder how much good can be done by a group of people that do not understand the community of Alex.
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1 comment:
Any day at the mall is a fun day. That's the Jersey girl in you.
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