What are your communities?

I teach a seminar for first-years at Columbia College Chicago. For one of our first assignments, I ask students to name and discuss three communities they belong to. Here are a few remarkable samples from that assignment:

I am an average white person. I identify with this community on color alone. I do not believe that color matters. I can only identify with this community based off of color, my skin tone. I don't know anything different so being wonderful or painful, there really isn't an answer to that. Having said that I do like being white. My role, with race I really don't know what role I would have that would help reflect my race.
So much going on here. I can't do the invisible knapsack / privilege exercise soon enough. I write back to the student: "You say that you don't believe that color matters, yet you list your race as an important "community". This seems to be a contradiction, no?"
++++
I feel that I am a part of the Apple community because I support their products as well as their innovative drive. I like this community because I can use my Apple products to its full advantage, feeling a sense of power in the technological world. I believe I am a user and supporter in this community.
This student seems to be one of the few who reads the news regularly, so I'm wondering if she heard the news about Apple's human rights & labor violations. I asked what her responsibility would be to respond to these issues.
++++
I identify myself with the "scummy" community. This is one that I have observed in many different places, and not every member understands that they are even part of this. It is more of a realization. I identify with this one for several different reasons. Most of them are just day to day happenings as well. I will provide an example. I see a cigarette on the street, and it looks brand new. Never lit. I pick it up, and smoke it. However, certain members of the "Scummunity" take it to another level. They will retrieve a butt that actually looks like a butt, and bum a lighter to get it going. The best thing about this community is that I will never be dissapointed again. I will never find myself bored, in need, or anything of that sort. If I can accept a low standard of living, then everything better than that will seem like a Ritz Carlton. 
This is new to me. I ask the student if he has heard of Freegans.
++++
The first community I think of is the most general one; being a human. This is a wonderful community to be a part of because as humans we can learn, love, and progress. My role right now is to go to school and experience new things and new opportunities. As for the future hopefully I will accomplish something and be part of something big.
This is when I'm reminded how the word community is meaningless.
++++
POP Culture Community- I would say this community is for the young generation of our decade which make up the Pop Culture Community. What is included in this community is fashion, Music, Rights, Education, and other social groups included as well. I am a part of this culture because i am relevant to my generation and I pay attention to what ever is mainstream in our culture. The Pop Culture community continues to grow as time passes by and states what is popular. Celebrities and the Media are usually the highlight of this community. The only thing i have against this popular culture community is things I personally disagree with. Other than that, this community is extremely powerful because the young generation is really the deciding factor for whats popular and what is not. I am still in tune with Pop Culture, therefore, I am a part of it.
"I pay attention to what ever is mainstream in our culture."
++++
Latino Community: What makes up this community are people of Mexican descent in America. I am considered a part of this community because I am Mexican American. The Latino community is all about Pride within the Culture and in all standing as Mexican American. What I like about this community is there movements for American Rights for Mexicans living in America. I have always been grateful for seeing Mexican Americans stand up for what they believe, as far as education, jobs/work and being able to become Citizens in America. Some of the things I don't really like are so called members who sometimes forget why this community even started and focus more on the "Culture". I have no shame in my culture whats so ever. But if people wanted to know more about the culture of Mexicans/Latinos then they should start a Latino Culture Community. A memory I have with this specific community took place in High School. I remember the L.A.S.O Club (Latino Academic Social Organization) put out a flyer saying "come join the Latin Community and talk about news and goals and join our Fiesta traditional Mexican meals and music will be provided". I threw this flyer in the garbage. This as a Mexican made me not want to join. Putting that disturbing memory aside, this community is strong and there goals for what their fighting for have reason. So Go LATINO COMMUNITY!
I'm not sure what disturbed this student about the flyer. What does he mean by "culture"? I hope it was a critique of the food and music angle, but I'm not sure.
++++
I consider myself a part of the church/Christainity community. In this community we share the same goals which is to become more Christ like and to get into heaven when we pass away. Also there is no limit to how many people can join the church because we encourage other people to come and be a part of the body of Christ. I'm proud to be a part of this group because the people in it are supportive and they lift me up when I'm down. My role in this community is to educate others about our religion and to be the best person I can be. Everyday when I walk out the door I'm not only representing myself but the community that I associate with as well.
I like the idea that the Christian community is possibly infinite as it accumulates into the body of Christ. I also like hearing such clarity of goals: packing for the road trip to heaven.
++++
I was born and raised in Zurich, Switzerland. I only moved to America to go to boarding high school when I was 15. I speak fluent German and the local Zurich-dialect, which is so strong, Germans can't understand what we say. I know the slang, I know the town inside and out, I know the history, I support the local sports teams, I stick to the local beer. I love Zurich and one day I'll move back there and raise my family there. Switzerland is where my heart is, but I guess there are it's flaws. Things are more expensive there, we have a pestering population of immigrants from the Balkan peninsula, we don't celebrate Thanks giving. That's about it. I am apart of the community as a citizen and as a patriot.
As an immigrant in the U.S. (whether permanent or temporary, you are still an immigrant), I found it quite contradictory when you said "we have a pestering population of immigrants from the Balkan peninsula". Do you feel that immigrants in the U.S. are also bothersome?
+++
This is my favorite:
1. Women- I am a woman, obviously. I like being a woman because if I didn't, well I probably wouldn't identify as one. There isn't really anything that wonderful about being a woman. I know I definitely am one, but that doesn't mean I necessarily like it. A lot of people berate or degrade women. I feel like a lot of people don't think I'm capable of doing things or certain things that I do are inappropriate because I am a woman. As part of the community of women, I feel that it is my job to prove those people wrong. I'm not a crazy raging feminist but I do what I want and don't give a fuck who cares because I am a woman. I like heavy metal, baggy t-shirts, beer, cars, dirty jokes, and no one is going to tell me otherwise. My role in the community is to gain respect. I can do anything I want regardless of my gender.


2. Art School Kid- Unfortunately I'm part of this community as well. No matter where I go I always seem to hate the people surrounding me. Art school kids are no different. A lot of these people think they are so creative and poetic and different when really they just have internet access and a trust fund. I feel like the black sheep in this community. I just sit there and take in as much information as possible so I can get my degree doing something I like. A bunch of these people think they are going to be awesome and famous when really they are just self-centered assholes. I know I'm a cynical fuck when I say this, but seriously get a job. I love Columbia don't get me wrong, but some people are just too much.


3. Metal Heads- I am a metal head and proud of it. This is the only group of people that I really feel that I belong with. I love head banging, beer, all my friends who I know would have my back no matter what, and most of all the music. The music makes me feel like I can do anything, be anything I want, and no one will judge me. I feel almost like I've made a connection with a higher power when I listen to heavy metal. It's almost surreal, it just takes me away. Some people are annoying, the people that go there and get too drunk or people who pretend they are hardcore into heavy metal when really they don't know anything. Most of the time I don't even care though, everyone at a show is like your best friend or your brother as long as they don't try to start shit with you. This is the one place where yes, I am a woman; and yes, I am an art school kid; but no one cares. We are all metal heads and we are all a family.

tis the season

Tis the season for affirmative action forms, the kind HR departments at universities are required to do to assess whether they are reaching a diverse range of job candidates. Sometimes I ignore them, but sometimes they provide some room for expression. It feels like a small battle, sure, but if more of us keep making comments like this on doctor's office forms and other surveys, it may eventually bring a richer understanding of "diversity" to the mainstream.

This school seems especially interested in diversity, but I suppose they are required (by law ?) to use the language provided. I have a feeling they might get responses like mine all the time, but maybe I'm too optimistic about how sensitive academics are to identity issues like these. I'd like to think they will send my comments to some bureaucrat in DC and eventually that person will see so many similar comments that they may try to do something about it. It's the least I can do on my end, rather than remaining silent.

poem as we conclude the formal occupation of Iraq

In California During the Gulf War
by Denise Levertov

Among the blight-killed eucalypts, among
trees and bushes rusted by Christmas frosts,
the yards and hillsides exhausted by five years of drought,

certain airy white blossoms punctually
reappeared, and dense clusters of pale pink, dark pink—
a delicate abundance. They seemed

like guests arriving joyfully on the accustomed
festival day, unaware of the year's events, not perceiving
the sackcloth others were wearing.

To some of us, the dejected landscape consorted well
with our shame and bitterness. Skies ever-blue,
daily sunshine, disgusted us like smile-buttons.

Yet the blossoms, clinging to thin branches
more lightly than birds alert for flight,
lifted the sunken heart

even against its will.
But not
as symbols of hope: they were flimsy
as our resistance to the crimes committed

—again, again—in our name; and yes, they return,
year after year, and yes, they briefly shone with serene joy
over against the dark glare

of evil days. They are, and their presence
is quietness ineffable—and the bombings are, were,
no doubt will be; that quiet, that huge cacophany

simultaneous. No promise was being accorded, the blossoms
were not doves, there was no rainbow. And when it was claimed
the war had ended, it had not ended.

poetry from the City of Chicago

35th Ward Description:
Beginning at the place where W Palmer St meets N Hamlin Ave; thence southerly to W Dickens Ave; thence easterly to N St Louis Ave; thence northerly to W Palmer St; thence easterly along said Street to N Spaulding Ave; thence northerly to W Fullerton Ave; thence easterly to N Sawyer Ave; thence northerly to W Wrightwood Ave; thence easterly to Local Neighborhood Road, Rural Road, City Street; thence northerly along said Local Neighborhood Road, Rural Road. City Street to N Kedzie Ave; thence northerly to W Diversey Ave; thence easterly to N Sacramento Ave; thence northerly to W George St; thence westerly along said Street to N Albany Ave; thence northerly to N Avondale Ave; thence westerly to N Troy St; thence northerly along said Street to Boundary; thence northerly to i- 90; thence westerly along said Primary Road to N Kedzie Ave; thence northerly to W Addison St; thence westerly along said Street to N Elston Ave; thence westerly to N Kimball Ave; thence northerly to W Sunnyside Ave; thence westerly to N Drake Ave; thence northerly to W Wilson Ave; thence westerly to N Lawndale Ave; thence northerly to W Ainslie St; thence westerly along said Street to N Avers Ave; thence southerly to Alley; thence westerly along said Alley to N Pulaski Rd; thence southerly along said Road to W Lawrence Ave; thence westerly to N Keystone Ave; thence southerly to Alley; thence westerly along said Alley to N Kariov Ave; thence southerly to N Kennicott Ave; thence westerly to W Eastwood Ave; thence easterly to Alley; thence southerly along said Alley to N Kasson Ave; thence easterly to N Keeler Ave; thence westerly to Alley; thence easterly along said Alley to N Keystone Ave; thence southerly to W Montrose Ave; thence easterly to N Lawndale Ave; thence southerly to W Cullom Ave; thence easterly to N Montlcello Ave; thence southerly to W Berteau Ave; thence easterly to N Central Park Ave; thence southerly to N Central Park Ave; thence southerly to N Central Park Ave; thence southerly to W Diversey Ave; thence westerly to N Ridgeway Ave; thence southerly to Alley; thence easterly along said Alley to N Central Park Ave; thence southerly to W Fullerton Ave; thence westerly to N Keeler Ave; thence northeriy to W Belden Ave; thence westerly to N Kostner Ave;thence southerly to Soo Line RR; thence easterly along said Railroad to N Pulaski Rd; thence northerly along said Road to W Armitage Ave; thence westerly to N Kariov Ave; thence northerly to W Palmer St; thence easterly along said Street to the point of beginning.

communication limits

I like this email signature by one of the folks who founded Experimental Station in Chicago. Though it may come off as a bit intense for some readers, I appreciate and agree with the sentiment.


Communications technology has proved a useful and potentially life-enhancing tool. Yet, if not attributed its proper value and used under appropriate conditions, this technology induces anxiety in the user, fosters meaningless communication, undermines the quality of human interactions, and renders some of us unable to locate the silence and solitude essential to thinking and to spiritual well-being.
  Recognizing these risks, _______ has established necessary limits on her use of technology. Please be advised that she finds it impossible to:
  * Respond to every email message she receives;
  * Respond to email messages within the same day;
  * Respond to any email messages on Saturday or Sunday;
  * Answer the phone only because it is ringing;
  * Answer the phone while she is already engaged in conversation with another human being;
  * Promise a response to every phone call received.
  These limits are intended not to frustrate communication but to deepen it.

student quotes

Yesterday in class I showed a travel video about Iran in preparation for reading of Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis. Before pressing play, a student exclaims: "Iran... isn't that where Americans get shot on the street?" A similar comment was made in the following section.

Also that day, a student tells us about her idea to do a video about racial profiling by immigration officials by casting her white friend as a Mexican. The main criteria for choosing him was the fact that he owns a fake mustache.  His costume will also include a "drug rug"aka a baja hoodie.

Powers of 10

Back in October, I attended one of my favorite conferences, the Third Coast International Audio Festival. There, American Public Media hosted a contest to celebrate their 10th anniversary.

The audio track below was recorded and edited on my iPhone using the mobile 4-track recorder Monle. Today I made my last call on the iPhone. My phone has been on its 2-year planned obsolescence suicide mission for a while now. Sometime this evening it refused to have any signal. So I made my last call: to report gang taggers in my neighborhood to 911, the only call you can make without signal.

Having downloaded all my photos and other media, I'm now moving on to an Android phone with T-Mobile. Good-bye iPhone, hello 4G.

Finally signed up for an Audioboo account, and so far I think it's fabulous. Totally hassle-free. What took me so long?