In the book Beginner's Guide to Community-Based Arts there are 5 stages listed under the CRAFT model.
1) CONTACT
2) RESEARCH
3) ACTION
4) FEEDBACK
5) TEACHING
For the family oral history presentation we will use interview the family. By having the family as a primary source we will gain insights on this family's perspective of the changes Holly street has encountered over the years. I also anticipate what will use library resources to date back to public records containing the community's demographics. We will also compare our historic findings with the current present day structure of Holly that we ourselves will photograph. We plan on doing at least two home visits to the Robles family.
At this current stage of our research we have only experience the first 3 stages of the CRAFT model. But if I had to list three important points within these stages I'd say that the contact needs to done in anticipation for both the family and those who are interviewing. For the research, I'd say that it is necessary to organize your questions thoroughly before going out to seek answers because some of the questions may appear redundant or irrelevant. It is important to have a clear idea of what you are trying to research and have a method for getting those answers. For action, it is important to know that things change, and you have to be able to adapt to unexpected circumstances.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Terms & Colony Park Readings
Gentrification- the shift of lower-income community towards a higher, wealthier area often resulting in a change in demographics.
-To me gentrification has the potential to cause both good and bad. While it can cause it a displacement in minorities, I feel that if done right, it would have some beneficial outcomes.
-Gentrification is controversial because although it often involves some sort of improvement in infrastructure it can be argued that these changes are made by outsiders and do not actually reflect the desires of the members of the community. In order words, outsiders may benefit from gentrification while at the expense of community members.
Low-income housing- A residential area or neighborhood that has a large percentage of residents that are generally economically disadvantage. This often includes residents who are mostly within a minority group, elderly, and have little education. Before the 1990's East Austin was often consider an low-income area.
Colony Park Goals- For the residents in the Colony Park area their main focus is provide residents with a safe recreational center to be able to promote health improvement to their children and community residents. For many years the city of Austin has ignored their efforts and the necessary steps to improve their living environment were not prioritized. Although the Colony Park has focused on designed the usage of the grant to increase health concerns, I think that ultimately the goal is to fight and stand against the wealthy taking advantage of lower class residents who do not have the agency to put and end to the social injustice and put an effort to protest against social class having such a large effect in political power.
While learning about the communities of East Austin, Holly Street, the Colony Park grant, and the Mueller development, I've learn that there are so many different elements to consider. All though there is definitely similarities between these communities I don't think here is no one solution to all of these communities. Each should be taken as an individual problem and we should seek to provide indivdual solutions that benefit the members of that given community.
-To me gentrification has the potential to cause both good and bad. While it can cause it a displacement in minorities, I feel that if done right, it would have some beneficial outcomes.
-Gentrification is controversial because although it often involves some sort of improvement in infrastructure it can be argued that these changes are made by outsiders and do not actually reflect the desires of the members of the community. In order words, outsiders may benefit from gentrification while at the expense of community members.
Low-income housing- A residential area or neighborhood that has a large percentage of residents that are generally economically disadvantage. This often includes residents who are mostly within a minority group, elderly, and have little education. Before the 1990's East Austin was often consider an low-income area.
Colony Park Goals- For the residents in the Colony Park area their main focus is provide residents with a safe recreational center to be able to promote health improvement to their children and community residents. For many years the city of Austin has ignored their efforts and the necessary steps to improve their living environment were not prioritized. Although the Colony Park has focused on designed the usage of the grant to increase health concerns, I think that ultimately the goal is to fight and stand against the wealthy taking advantage of lower class residents who do not have the agency to put and end to the social injustice and put an effort to protest against social class having such a large effect in political power.
While learning about the communities of East Austin, Holly Street, the Colony Park grant, and the Mueller development, I've learn that there are so many different elements to consider. All though there is definitely similarities between these communities I don't think here is no one solution to all of these communities. Each should be taken as an individual problem and we should seek to provide indivdual solutions that benefit the members of that given community.
Favorite Story - Rhodessa Jones
While reading Beginner's Guide to Community-Based Arts, the story of Rhodessa Jones's experience in visiting a woman's prison really spoke to me. When Rhodessa confessed that she had no idea what to expect on her first day on the job at the prison and began by offering some details on her personal life and what lead her there, it made me feel glad that she used that as a platform to break the tension and create a bridge between herself and these women. In my life I've come to realize that people especially those who feel vulnerable are hesitant to open themselves to others and even more so to strangers. This story really emphasized on the importance on humbling yourself. It is through this share emotional expression that a true connection between people can occur. You can't expect others to feel comfortable in opening up to you if you aren't willing to do the same. By sharing her experience Rhodessa was able to bypass this barrier that was had previous divided the prison women and their instructor and placed both of them on an equal ground. Instead of just being another dance instructor, Rhodessa was able to actually emerge herself into the world of these women and increasing her influence to truly create a an impact.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Hispanic Privilege
After reading the article on white privilege I've come to realize that although Hispanics are often associated with being part of the marginalized groups in the United States, that I too have some privilege attached with my ethnicity. Here is my list.
1) I can identify with hair commercials
2) I never think about not finding my skin shade in cosmetics.
3) I know I can also find someone who speaks my language.
4) Food I enjoy to eat is usually available anywhere I go.
5) The majority of time, I am not the only Hispanic person in a room/area.
6) As a female, I can wear "nude" pantyhose without thinking it will look awkward
7) I can go tanning without the people at saloons wondering what I am doing there
8) I get through airport security fast and do not get questioned
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