August 25, 2005
Generations Locked Down
Dear Friend, this Saturday, August 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., we are inviting
all of you to come to the Southern California Library for a powerful
event, "Generations Locked Down: The Impact of Prison on a Community." At
the heart of the event is for all of us who have experienced the impacts
of incarceration, whether directly or through a family member or loved
one, to come and share our stories in a safe environment and to bring
items documenting this experience. Those who haven't experienced
incarceration are invited to come and "listen for a change." There will be
Afro-Cuban drumming, an art exhibit, and refreshments.
We are asking for letters, cards, pictures, state-issued gear, and other
items. The items can be scanned/copied and returned to you or else donated
to become part of the Library's permanent collection. The collection is
important because it will enable us to tell the real story, the human
story behind the incarceration statistics.
More details on the event are below or you can go to our website:
www.socallib.org . You can also hear a piece by Talk of the City host
Kitty Felde on this event and the broader issue by going to our website or
clicking on this link:
http://www.publicradio.org/tools/media/player/kpcc/news/shows/totc/2005/08/20050825_totc?start=00:20:15&end=00:49:26
Let us all work together to end the injustice of the criminal justice
system.
Michele
Michele Welsing
Communications Director
Southern California Library
mwelsing@socallib.org
323-759-6063 (ph)
www.socallib.org
Working for a world where all people have the abilities, resources, and
freedom to make their own histories
____________________________________________
GENERATIONS LOCKED DOWN:
THE IMPACTS OF PRISON ON A COMMUNITY
____________________________________________
Formerly Incarcerated People and Family Members Share Their Stories
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 2005
10 A.M. TO 2 P.M.
@The Southern California Library
6120 S. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles
(323) 759-6063
www.socallib.org
_________________________________________________________________________
Join us on Saturday, August 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Library as
formerly incarcerated people and their family members share their stories
and related materials in a safe environment. There will be:
Community Story Circles * Collection Day * ISLA Percussion Group featuring
Afro-Cuban Drumming * Art Exhibit
We will be collecting prison-related items that can be scanned/copied and
returned or donated to the Library's permanent collection. PLEASE BRING
YOUR: Pictures, Letters, State-Issued Gear, Prison IDs, Prison Catalogs,
and More.
This event is FREE. Refreshments will be offered. Families welcome;
childcare available.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.socallib.org * (323) 759-6063
Posted by mbowen at 06:07 PM | Comments (0)
August 16, 2005
Truth Hurts
Farrakhan: Fox Was Right on Blacks, Jobs
August 15, 2005 10:10 PM EDT
MILWAUKEE - Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan said Mexican President
Vicente Fox was right to say that Mexican immigrants take jobs "that not
even blacks want."
Although Fox was sharply criticized for his remarks by some black leaders,
Farrakhan said Sunday that blacks do not want to go to farms and pick
fruit because they already "picked enough cotton."
"Why are you so foolishly sensitive when somebody is telling you the
truth?" he asked the crowd at Mercy Memorial Baptist Church. He said
blacks and Latinos should form an alliance to correct differences and
animosity between the two communities.
Civil rights leaders including Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton have
called on Fox to apologize for the remark. Fox has said he was commenting
on the contributions that Mexicans make to the United States, and did not
mean any offense.
Farrakhan, who spearheaded the 1995 Million Man March that drew hundreds
of thousands of people to Washington, D.C., was in Milwaukee to promote
the Millions More Movement, which has scheduled a rally Oct. 15 on the
National Mall.
The march is billed as a more inclusive successor to the Million Man
March. This time, organizers have encouraged women and gays to attend.
Posted by mbowen at 06:18 PM | Comments (0)
August 05, 2005
What's Up
I thought you’d never ask about what I’m up to. Well, since you did, here goes:
Travel – None except heading to Mt. Islip on the 21st with a group of – at this point – 6 folks from Antioch. I bought a new pair of real neat waterproof hiking boots from Sport Chalet. Am breaking them in now. The last pair I had was truly rugged and waterproof as well; but I find the flexible boot more comfortable and I’ve learned to be more careful about my (aging) ankles. So these should be fine.
Reading – have finished the Chang book on hip hop. No detailed book review here. For anyone remotely interested in the fringe aspect of so-called popular music, I recommend it. One major problem is excessive detail to the point of distraction. Anyone, a good piece for home libraries. Still reading Gary Phillips' "Cocaiine Chronicles" and Mr. Shakespeare's Sonnets.
Writing – I finally have a grand scale plan; but won’t embarrass myself here to talk/write about it. My need is to compartmentalize my writing. And a key part of the writing begins this coming Monday. Enough said.
Church – I’ll be glad to get off the Vestry and that’ll happen in January. The critical activity was the deliberations over and subsequent removal of the last rector. It was a “heady” time and some of the scars remain. The key activity now is more open communication amongst parishioners and (ha!) keeping a close eye on church finances – an activity that is inarguably indispensable and (also) totally boring! Sunday school involvement remains fun, and the Men’s club is St. John’s’ best organization!!
Garage – The official designation is ER, Too or Elbow Room, Too (as opposed to “2” or “Two.” I spend tons of time there and have all of my important stuff (except money! in that space. It is comfortable and deprives me of any lame excuses for not getting my work done. In a word, it’s a groovy place/space.
Antioch – Working on 2 brand new courses for the Fall quarter. One is a 1 day workshop titled “A House Is Not a Home: Homelessness in L.A.” [we'll spend time in Skid Row] and the other, a 10 week one titled: "The People of Los Angeles: Navigating the Urban Landscape." Next Saturday is the Billie Holiday JAM!! I’ll be doing with a colleague. More later.
Music – Coltrane and Billie. What else is there to say?
Peace and love………..
Posted by mbowen at 08:32 PM | Comments (0)
March 07, 2005
CommYOUnity
Rhythms - Music, Poetry & Art
Expressions from CommYOUnity
Inside Out Community Arts Presents:
Rhythms - An Evening of Music, Poetry & Art, Expressions from
CommYOUnity!
Friday, March 18th
7:00 – 10:00pm, Open Mic, Featured Artists & Music/Poetry Jam
(7pm sign-up for open mic, L.A. performers of all skills wanted!)
$5 suggested donation (senior/youth discount $2)
The Venice Center for Peace with Justice & the Arts, 2210 Lincoln Blvd.
(SE corner of Victoria & Lincoln, next to Venice United Methodist
Church)
Black History & Women’s History Month Celebration
Kristen Barnes – original eclectic neo-soul
Sidy Traore – West African piano prodigy
Alice the Poet – spirit words, spoken word truth
Metamorphosis – conscious hip-hop
We are co-creating a family of artists and community. If you are
interested in being involved or performing in this or future Rhythms,
please contact us.
Rhythms...is expression from CommYOUnity Rhythms creates synergy
?between established and emerging talent in a fluid performance space,
where art and community meet. Diverse featured artists showcase
cutting-edge works, open-mike performers of all ages and experiences
express themselves, and improvisational musicians explore and
spontaneously create. Rhythms creates community?in an alternative venue
where Los Angeles audiences experience excellent music, poetry and art
outside the limitations of the club, bar and theatre. It is a positive
environment friendly to all ages and forms of expression that feeds the
artistic spirit.
Proceeds benefit:
Inside Out’s free after-school arts programming for middle-school youth.
Co-Sponsored by Calabash Productions & the Venice United Methodist
Church
For more info, visit: http://www.InsideOutCA.org, or call 310-397-8820
To submit online, visit: http://www.sonicbids.com/rhythms
Posted by mbowen at 10:08 AM | Comments (0)
July 24, 2004
Central Avenue Jazz Festival
Dear Friend, join us for a fun day of culture on Saturday, July 31!
Start the day by coming to the Southern California Library (6120 S.
Vermont, Los Angeles, between Slauson and Gage) on Saturday, July 31,
at 11 a.m. for a panel discussion on the art and culture of South L.A.
with local visual artists, a filmmaker, and an award-winning mystery
writer. Afterwards you can go on to the fabulous Central Avenue Jazz
Festival, featuring ethnic food, booths, and L.A.'s finest jazz and
blues.
The event is part of our community history project, "From Generation to
Generation: Making a Life in South Los Angeles, 1940-2005." The panel
will join with community members to talk about music, art, film,
fashion, and other cultural expressions that have made a powerful
difference in community life in South L.A. Panelists include filmmaker
Marlem Landa, mystery writer and community activist Gary Phillips,
graffiti artist and muralist Alex Rodriguez, and public artist Robin
Strayhorn. Multicultural arts specialist Sydney Kamlager will be the
moderator. More information is available on the web at
http://www.socallib.org/generations/events/artculture704/index.html .
Invite your friends for a fun summer day you won't want to miss! It's
all free, and you'll enjoy it.
See you!
Michele
Michele Welsing
Communications Director
Southern California Library
mwelsing@socallib.org
323-759-6063 (ph)
www.socallib.org
Using History to Advance Social Justice
MORE ABOUT THE CENTRAL AVENUE JAZZ FESTIVAL
-----------------------------------------------------
The 9th Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival takes place July 31-August
1, on Central Avenue at 42nd Place. This year features a Latin flavor
with the Justo Almario Quartet; Susie Hansen Latin Jazz Band; and the
Donald Vega Latin Jazz Project. Other performers include Reggie
Andrews¹ Los Angeles Multi-School Band; Dwight Trible Band; Barbara
Morrison Band; Nate Morgan Band; CJS Quintet; Ernie Andrews Band; Isaac
Smith Expressions; and the Gerald Wilson Orchestra. The Central Avenue
Jazz Festival is free and open to the public. For more information:
323/234-7882.
Posted by mbowen at 05:58 PM | Comments (0)