Community Journalism: Workshop Notes

I recently gave a workshop on community journalism for a writing group in the McCauley neighbourhood. I thought I would share my notes here to try to encourage people to take part in community journalism and to inspire creative thoughts.

A. What is Community Journalism?

It is hyper-local as opposed to just local

Geographically limited in scope (such as a neighbourhood newspaper)

Often produced by non-professional writers/photographers (citizen media)

Can go into depths of community events/news/opinions overlooked by other media

Gives a voice to the marginalized

Media can include newspapers, blogs, social media

Value of substance over style, because it is mostly being produced by non-professionals

B. Why Community Journalism?

Cover topics/events ignored by mainstream, larger media

To give community members a voice

With regards to community newspapers, to present the reality of life in a specific neighbourhood (for example, in the inner city, the good is often overlooked by other media)

A good place to start building a portfolio because it is easier to get published; less competitive

C. News Versus Opinion

One of the most misunderstood aspects of journalism

News: non-personal, fact-based, written in the third person. An article or column.

Opinion: Personal, feelings-based, written in the first person. Editorial or letter to the editor.

D. Assignments

Five minutes each; share afterwards:

1) List a choice of themes, and ask participants to write something on that theme.
2) Write a short news piece on something going on in your community.
3) Write an opinion on something in the community, such as a social issue or recent happening.

Activist Self Care and Community

Wanting to heal the world is sometimes an extension of wanting to heal ourselves.

We see the injustice and suffering around us and do what we can in our own forms of activism, and can grow despondent when constantly surrounding ourselves with images and facts of this brokenness in the world, growing even more despondent when our efforts don't appear to bear much fruit (at least not immediately, or at first glance).

Brokenness in the world can manifest as brokenness in ourselves.

We take to the streets with chants of, "Health care, child care, anything but warfare."

Self-care should be added to that list. Too many activists don't practise it, or enough.

There is a reason why depression and despair runs rampant in activist circles, and why it too often leads to tragedy. People who are passionate and creative can often lean towards depression and anxiety in the first place, and when you factor in the way that being a community organizer can consume one's life, emotions can be hard to deal with.

After the rally, when the placards are put away and the sound system is broken down, there is isolation. Maintaining a satisfying personal life is hard when you are being run in what seems like 15 different directions. Then there is the time necessary to spend working. It does not leave a lot of time to simply unwind, meditate, go to church, take a trip, or do whatever it takes to find balance.

Factor in personal problems (breakups, issues with parents), work problems, and a host of other day to day stressors, and the combination can be lethal.

I notice that many activists are spiritual - not necessarily religious, but have some sort of appreciation for something bigger than ourselves, something beyond the physical world. Working towards ideals of social justice is a way of putting that spirituality in action. But there has to be a way to put some of that energy that we send out into the world, back into ourselves.

It takes more than a warm bubble bath to soothe loneliness. And yes, even when you're surrounded by hundreds of like-minded, chanting peaceniks, you can still feel lonely. It takes more than watching a movie (or two; comedies of course) to erase thoughts that maybe what you're doing isn't going to mean a whole lot in the long run.

Healthy lifestyle choices, socializing (for non-activist purposes), and just doing things for ourselves takes time and effort - the bulk of which we usually reserve for our activism. But that is not where we make the biggest mistake.

Our biggest mistake is not reaching out to our comrades. We need to look after ourselves and each other. That is why it is called an activist "community." Pay attention to when you may not be feeling well, and for signs in others - which may often be subtle.

We won't be able to save the world if we can't save ourselves.

Bicycle Commuting Vent

***Language Warning***

I am an avid bicycle commuter. I ride my bike to do everything from short errands around my neighbourhood, to attend events, to get to work-related activities. Sometimes I ride on quiet side streets; sometimes along service roads; and, occasionally I have to venture on to a major artery.

Like many serious cyclists in Edmonton, I cringed with horror when a young man was killed last week when riding on Whyte Avenue. The young man, 21 year old Isaak Kornelsen, bumped a truck's rear view mirror, lost his balance, and fell under a full cement truck. He died instantly. Whyte is one of those major arteries, like Stony Plain Road and Jasper Avenue, that I try to avoid.

But even when riding on a bike path or quieter street, accidents still happen. A few years ago, I was involved in an accident on 102 Avenue near 122 Street - ironically, a route often used by cyclists to avoid the traffic of the aforementioned Stony Plain Road or Jasper Avenue. A driver had opened her driver's side door without checking first, just as I was passing. My upper right arm made contact with the edge of the door. I lost my balance and fell onto the pavement, narrowly avoiding hitting my head (I was wearing a helmet). Had there been a car right behind me, my fate would likely have been the same as Kornelsen's. I was lucky.

Although I had to miss the Critical Mass bike ride held in Kornelsen's honour last Friday due to preparations for a major event with which I was involved last weekend, I have thought about him every time I have mounted my bike this past week. Especially this afternoon. I did one of my "monster commutes" between my home in the west end and Little Italy, where I work much of the time. This involves riding along 102 Avenue, including past Railtown on 109 Street, where things can get interesting. That part of 102 Avenue, stretching to past Churchill Square, is a major traffic and bus route. I try to get off of it as quickly as possible, taking detours along 96 Street and through the LRT pedestrian/bike path.

While I am the first to admit that many cyclists make mistakes when riding, either out of ignorance or audacity, so do pedestrians and motorists. I encountered plenty of both today, and decided to make note of it, right here, as a list of shame.

For Motorists

Park your vehicle no more than 50 cm from the curb. Please. You don't realize how far some of your equipment (like, for instance, a rear view mirror) juts out.

Do a shoulder check before opening your door. For the love of all things good and holy, it only takes an extra second or so.

When you open the driver's side door, don't keep it open perpetually. Close the fucking thing when you're the done whatever the fuck you're doing. Don't make me have to weave around you.

You have turning signals. Use them. How else am I supposed to anticipate your next move? Don't make me take that risk. You are surrounded by three tons of metal. I am not.

I got to the red light first. You will just have to wait until you take your fucking right turn. It is ILLEGAL to drive around me like you are entitled to take your turn right then and there, cutting me off when the light finally does turn green. Be patient and burn your fossil fuels when it's YOUR FUCKING TURN.

Don't even think of honking, yelling, or otherwise exhibit obnoxious behaviour when you are behind me. It's distracting, and besides - you're wrong. A bicycle is a vehicle and I have every right to be on the road, same as you. So shut the fuck up.

For Pedestrians

When you are crossing an intersection whilst smoking, please don't blow your stinking crap in my face. Your shit fills my lungs and I can't fucking breath. Unlike you, I am trying to make healthy choices and I don't need your fucking second hand smoke.

You are not supposed to start crossing at an intersection when the hand is blinking. You know what is going to happen? The light is going to turn green, I am going to be stuck there waiting for you to get to the other side, and the vehicles behind me are going to get pissed off. This creates a very stressful situation. And it's all your fault.

When I am on a shared sidewalk/trail and you are ahead of me, I will do whatever I can to warn you of my impending presence. I will ring my little bell and shout that I am passing. I will keep doing this until I get your attention. Note: in order for me to get your attention, you have to be paying attention. Stop yammering to the person beside you for a second. Don't walk around with the music so loud in your headphones that you can't hear. And when you do hear me: MOVE! What the fuck do you think the bell means? I'm not a fucking ice cream truck.

It is not often that I curse out loud, but this is a very emotional issue and a matter of life and death, so I decided not to self-censor. As we move towards a world where more and more people are choosing a sustainable lifestyle, there will be even more bicycles on the road (I hope). There is no room on the road for stupidity - from anyone.

Our Communities, Our Selves

Preamble: I am involved with a local blog writing group made up of Twitter friends. Each month we write on a specific topic. This month's chosen topic is community.

---

When I first started contemplating this blog topic, I thought about what my fellow bloggers may write. Perhaps I am being presumptuous, but I expect a lot of the following: "I am a member of [religion/culture] and my community here in Edmonton has been so [wonderful/accepting/supportive/etc.]. I am so glad to be a part of the [religion/culture] community here. All hail my [religion/culture].

For me, it is not so simple. I walk between many worlds. As a result, community to me has many meanings.

Community can be contradictory.
Sometimes one's beliefs can run contrary to the dominant paradigm of one's presumed community. I am Jewish, but my open criticism of the State of Israel and support for Palestinian rights automatically puts me on the outside. As well, my political and theological leanings (which I won't get into here) also sets me apart from pretty much every major Jewish denomination for one reason or another. At the same time, we have to have the strength and courage to stand up for our beliefs, even when they fly in the faces of our communities. Just because you grew up being taught something, just because it seems like everyone else around you believes that thing, doesn't mean it is right - and especially, it does not mean it is right for you. I even wrote a song about it, called "Walls".

Community can be based on who you are and who you choose to be.
I wasn't born an activist. I became one through my own explorations of the world and current events. As a result, I am part of the local activist community. While most of us are part of communities based on aspects of ourselves beyond our control (such as our ethnic group), we also become a part of communities based on our life choices.

Community can be inherited and adopted.
This is very much in relation to my point above. I'm part of the Jewish community because I am Jewish. I was born Jewish. I'm part of a neighbourhood where I live, by virtue of the fact that I, well, live there (duh). At the same time, I am deeply involved in the McCauley and Boyle Street neighbourhoods because that is where my work and passion lie. Although I do not live there, I am adopted as part of the community. I wrote about this at length in April of 2010 in a blog post entitled "Defining Community", so I'll leave it at that rather than repeat myself. My views are pretty much the same now as then.

Community can remain static, or it can change with life choices.
Remember what I said above about living in one place, but working in another? Perhaps one day I will move. Some people convert to other religions. I know people who have jumped in head first into political or social activities. Our communities change as we do. Likely in our lifetimes, we will have some communities in which we stay and others into which we grow.

So that pretty much sums up my take on community. I'll be posting the links to my fellow blog group members' work as they become available.

Related Posts:
My lifelong community by @TamaraStecyk
Creating Community Throught My Feet by @Joanna_Farley
Blog Group Topic #3: Community by @lindork

Getting Animated About McCauley

Group Shot
Originally uploaded by raise my voice

From September to the end of December 2010, I was contracted by Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) as a Community Animator in McCauley. AHC is a non-profit organization that supports community development by equipping community members to develop Community Initiatives. Through this process, leadership and capacity amongst community members is developed, leading to initiatives that enhance the overall health of the community.

My role as a Community Animator included working directly with a small group of community members to develop initiatives; serve as a facilitator to connect people with resources and information; and, to foster discussions and dialogues about issues of concern.

The first month of my contract was spent mostly doing research and fact-finding, including meeting with several community members individually as well as Jane Molstad, McCauley’s Revitalization Coordinator. An email list was established as an easy way to send out announcements and gather information. As well, a Facebook page for McCauley Community Animation was created also to disseminate information and act as a discussion forum.

Early in October, myself and two other representatives from AHC met with three community members: Gary Garrison, Wendy Aasen, and Anna Bubel. The purpose of this community dialogue was to identify areas of concern for residents, discuss possible initiatives, and clarify AHC’s role in the process.

One of the first initiatives stemmed from conversations I had with Gary Garrison, who was looking to organize a coffeehouse that would connect artists, writers, poets, and musicians. The challenges were the general organization of the event and finding a suitable space. A preliminary meeting using the Boyle McCauley News office was not successful. However, after connecting community members with Revitalization as well as people involved with the Heart of the City Festival, the first McCauley Connect Coffeehouse was born.

The McCauley Connect Coffeehouse took place on December 4 at McCauley Centre (formerly McCauley School). The evening featured live music performances on a professional sound stage, beautifully decorated tables with a winter theme, and free snacks courtesy of Multicultural Health Brokers. Gary Garrison served as MC. It was a modest start of what will hopefully be more coffeehouses in the future. In fact, two more are scheduled for February 19 and March 19, with the tentative location of the school. The long-term goal is for a permanent facility for artists to mingle over coffee, have live performances, and showcase their work akin to The Carrot on Alberta Avenue.

The other initiative stems from the fact that Church Street was recently designated a historical resource by the City. What better way to celebrate than having a street dance and moveable feast/potluck along 96 Street. Colleen Chapman (BMC News' other Volunteer Coordinator) is organizing this event which is tentatively anticipated to take place in July. She already has several of the major churches on board and a DJ for the dance. If you are interested in helping out, you can contact Colleen care of the paper.

All of the Community Animators with AHC periodically met together as a group. At our final meeting, we discussed what we learned the most personally from our experience as Community Animators. I said that my knowledge was reinforced of how much capacity, ideas, and talent there is in McCauley. I also said that I did my very best to actually listen to what people were telling me and do the best I could to answer people's questions and take seriously their concerns, even if there was nothing I could immediately do about these particular issues or requests. This is the kind of respect McCauley needs from all parties who do consultations and development activities in the community, otherwise it just becomes a top-down, empty exercise.

Being a Community Animator was also a great networking opportunity for my work with Boyle McCauley News. I met Clara Gladue, another Animator in McCauley, who now writes the Aboriginal-themes column Drum Beats. I also met an Animator from the local Salvadoran community who lives in Boyle Street, who may also be interested in contributing to the paper.

My contract ended at the end of December, but obviously the initiatives and discussions that got rolling during my time as Community Animator will continue. I will still occasionally send out notices of news and events via the email list, so if you would like to get on that you can send me your email address at editor@bmcnews.org. As well, the Facebook page is going to remain online.

I want to thank everyone who took part in the animation process, whether it was providing feedback online, taking part in one of our initiatives, or just providing encouraging words.


Part Two: Seeking McCauley Balance

A dialogue with a community member raised the following questions that she felt had never been addressed as a neighbourhood. These questions were presented online and answers are being gathered and organized for information and interest. If you would like to take part, please send your responses care of the paper to editor@bmcnews.org.

McCauley needs to strive for balance, especially a balance of the things that are important to people in the area, such as less concentration of social housing, a better spread of demographics, and the improvement of safety issues.

1) What does balance in McCauley look like?

2) What would have to change in order for us to get there? It would be interesting to see the points of agreement and disagreement, and to see what the variance is depending on how long someone has lived here.

3) What is “McCauley normal” (as compared to “normal” for other areas)?

4) There needs to be indicators of positive change and a way keep track of such information. What is the current direction of change in McCauley and is it the change we want?

5) We also need to gather success stories. Can you tell a success story from your McCauley experience?

Defining Community

I got into an interesting debate this morning with one of my more colourful Twitter correspondents. I stated that I considered myself part of a certain community. He at first interpreted this to mean that I was saying I lived there and pointed out to me (and the rest of Twitter) that I actually live in a different neighbourhood. I clarified that I am indeed part of this community even though I do not happen to reside there. I work there, in a leadership position of a community-based, non-profit organization. I am involved in community events. I am a member of the community league. I spend more time there than I do where I actually live. For these reasons, I consider McCauley to be my community.

This afternoon, I brought up this conversation with a friend of mine who is in the process of studying for her Masters in Library Science. She mentioned that this exact topic was discussed in one of her classes - the question of what exactly defines community. She said the outcome of that discussion was the conclusion that community is actually quite fluid. We can be a part of one or many communities depending on our life circumstances. We can consider our neighbourhoods, work, ethnic groups, and social activities to be communities in which we are involved.

I completely agree. I am a member of one community by virtue of the fact I live there. I am part of another because of my work and passion for the area. As an organizer and participant, I am part of the activist community. Through my activity on Twitter and attendance at several in-person meetups, I am part of Edmonton's Twitter community. My work as a writer and editor makes me part of that professional community. Even though I am not as active as I could be, I am part of a faith community.

Community defines who we are. We, in turn, define and identify the communities of which we are a part. Incidently, I am writing this blog post from my desk in my office in Little Italy. My co-worker, who is also with the McCauley Community League, has arrived and now I am talking to her about this issue. "We have adopted Paula. She *is* a member of this community," she says with a smile.

I love being a member of different communities. I hope I can make a positive impact in all of them. And I look forward to becoming parts of other communities as my life unfolds.