Foremost continue the discussion on the other post. I’m trying to attach so I had to start a new strand. READ BELOW VERY IMPORTANT. I have, based upon discussions, panel, posts, collages, creations –organized our project into three THEME AREAS. We still are a little bit spread out -but I think we can narrow from the three theme areas–taking a little bit from each one or focusing on one or blending two of them….
Purpose: To share the voices of the many voices
THREE CENTRAL THEMES
Trapped/Stuck and Transience
· Youth voice/youth engagement –nothing to do
· The highest trafficked part of Ypsilanti is EMU
· A train depot with a train that doesn’t stop
· Bus lines, etc. which leave residents without access or opportunity
· Digital Divide
· Lots of one-way streets and no left turns
Foundations & Incarnations
· brick buildings/strong yet empty ‘dusty book’
· A city divided: 2 downtowns
· Migrations & Rooted Generations
· Pride in self/family vs. pride in city
· Bridges and Walls
· Racial Divide
Perceptions & Reputations (internal & external)
· Gateway to ___________
· Good enuf for who it is for
· Underdog
· A city with less light
· A city in the shadow
· Nobodiness
· Emerging
WHAT I DID HERE IS TAKE THE THEMES AND CONNECT THEM TO THE ‘WHO’ the possible PEOPLE. I think #1 is our strongest theme and we could merge it with …”EMERGING and ROOTS and MIGRATIONS and also with the idea of a city founded due to a migratory population” I think there is a story emerging here and it will both reflect issues of pride and issues of displacement’, transience and feeling stuck and trapped, and looking at Ypsi’s birth as a trading post a place where people came to engage. PLEASE PROVIDE FOR TUESDAY –what you think the STORY of this project may be.
The people/the voices
- Youth voice/youth engagement- nothing to do
Ozone Youth Action Board – Colleen O’Brien
Focus group at Ypsi High/Willow Run or Lincoln
School Board or school board member: Ypsi/Willow Run/Lincoln (gather a representative from each)
Youth on the street-Michigan Avenue
Homeless youth and foster youth coalitions: Robert Kesserling & Peri Stone Palmquist
Mayor Paul Schreiber mayor@cityofypsilanti.com
- Most Trafficked part of Ypsilanti is EMU
Washtenaw County Road Commission
Mayor of Ypsilanti / City Council/ City Manager – Ed Kor
EMU Commuter Student Organization
- Train Depot with Train that doesn’t stop
Depot Town group: www.depottown.org/
State of MI policy coordinator on Transportation: Jeff Donofrio
Resident voices
- Bus lines and lack of transportation /access
Residents –youth, elder, multiple voices
interview residents in Lincoln and West Willow Neighborhood Associations
Ypsi Transit Center – Pearl and Washington, interview riders
AATA –chair , David Nacht
NOTE: The future of Ypsilanti bus service by the AATA is in doubt because of budget constraints. The current budget plan involves cutting AATA Route 3 and AATA Route 5 to Ypsilanti by 2007 and all routes by 2009. The organization Keep Ypsi Rollin has proposed a change to the Ypsilanti city charter that would continue service.
ypsiwiki.org/city/Keep_Ypsi_Rollin
5. Digital Divide
Digital Inclusion: Derrick Jackson/ Izoom
Ypsi Wireless-Steve Pierce
Residents
Business Owners
Foundations & Incarnations
1. Brick buildings /empty/ dusty books
/www.ypsilantihistoricalsociety.org/contactinfo.html
Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority
Brian Vosburg brian@ypsilantidda.org
Peter Rinehart, board chair, owner of Bombadills Coffeehouse
Mayor, of Ypsilanti
Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation http://www.yhf.org/
Ypsilanti Historic Commission –meets Feb. 24th 2009
2. A City Divided
James Mann, local historian, storyteller james.manjam@gmail.com.
Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation http://www.yhf.org
3. Roots and Migrations
Neighborhood Associations: www.ypsicopac.org/sites.html
www.ypsilantihistoricalsociety.org/
Faz Hussain, first musim elected to office in MI
(Ypsilanti City Councl)
Ypsilanti Underground Railroad: www.albion.edu/library/JAT/Ypsilanti.htm
Brown AME Church www.bcamecy.org/ — oldest African American church in Ypsilanti
Applacian familes settled near Willow Run Airpot
Bomber Café and Wolverine Café
Senior Centers: Ypsilanti City Senior Center (734) 483-5014
- Racial divide/ bridges and walls
seek the stories of contrasting groups or people or neighbors who live side by side in any neighborhood.
Parkridge Community Center
Ozone Drop In Center
Riverside Arts Center Board
Perceptions and Reputations
For this section its important to the hear stories of the following people/persons:
Youth who go to school here /live here
Elected officials
Neighborhood Comm. Groups /Associations
Third Shifters
VFW
Ypsilanti Housing Commission
Residents of Gateway Housing Community
Those waiting in line for: a meal, unemployment, shelter, medical care
Check out: Hope, SOS Community Services, Paquetta Palmer at WCounty
Emergers: Mark Maynard –www.markmaynard. com
ShadowArts Festival
(can set up meeting)
Growing Hope Amanda
DDA – Peter Rinehart
Spark East – Eastern Leaders
Shemar Moore
Brown Chapel AME
Community Activists
Tad Wysor
Mark Maynard
Ypsilanti Chamber of Commerce
Stop by: Wolverine Inn, Sidetrack, Bomber Café, Lucas Coney Island Bombadills Coffehouse, Ypsi Library, Haabs, Beezys (brand new)
I like the idea of the division of topics. I think we should have each group focus on one or two topics and then make their own list of questions for the different groups of people and city officials involved. And someone has very specific ideas on improvement or personal memories of the topic we can record them or create a scene of their story.
I think we are going in the right direction. There are already many good ideas listed and I agree that they can be whittled down in group discussion
“A train depot with a train that doesn’t stop”
“The future of Ypsi bus service by the AATA is in doubt because of budget constraints.”
“Lots of one -way streets and no left turns.”
This is only an echo from what I read.
I cannot elaborate why I chose those sentences.
But I will share some story here.
My wife cannot speak English well.
Because I use our family car, she always stays at home.
She doesn’t watch TV nor listen to the radio, but she watches Korean TV shows through the internet.
Without any American friends and access to American culture,
she might be trapped in Korea although she lives in the USA.
My son can speak English well.
Because we live near to Ann Arbor, he goes to an Ann Arbor elementary school.
Yesterday, he told that he did not have friends in his class.
My wife and I guess the reasons;
-Is it because he is only one Asian International student in his class which mostly consists of Caucasian American students?
-Is it my fault not to involve to his school activities?
-Or is he trapped to the Korean ego as his mom is?
Where should we move again?
My story might not be related to the city of Ypsilanti.
It can be just one family story who lives in (or out of) Ypsilanti.
Maybe we are trapped by ourselves:
where we feel belonging to,
where we stand on,
or where we live for.
Thanks for sharing those thoughts, Big fire. Your voice and experience of Ypsi is important.
It was interesting to hear so many of the youth use words like “boring” or “trapped” in our discussion. But, that is not my perspective. It makes me realize the limitations of my experience in this place- and recognize the large number of voices we need to seek out in order to make this performance complete. Thanks for all the ideas, Decky.
Every time I go to class I come away feeling energized and excited. Thanks you all for the work and thoughts you’ve shared.
I was pleasantly suprised at how well the first interview process went. we got out first comments on the bus system before we even left campus. And at the bus station, people were willing to talk to us. I was a little dissapointed to see that the meetings about the price changs were only being held in ann arbor when there is a bus station in ypsi too.
Kirk, Spenser, Myles and I got to interview Mayor Paul Schreiber last Thursday. He had so much to share and an obvious passion for the community.
The thing (in a broad sense) that resonated with me the most about our time with the Mayor is how hopeful he was. He sees so much potential in Ypsi, and goodness in the current reality. The only moment I remember (we talked about this as a group after he left) him seemingly discouraged is when we asked him “what is the hardest thing/presents the biggest challenge as the mayor of Ypsi?”
He sighed, slumped back a bit and said, “…there’s so much to do… and only so many resources to do it.”
But, most of the stories were about the vibrant history and current passion of the place. He moved here in the 70s and he remembers a time when someone asked him, “how could you do that to your kids?” He responded by asking, “have you been there?” He went on to tell us that both of his children attended Ypsi public schools and thrived. “People ignore the social benefits of living in the diversity of Ypsilanti.”
Another story that resonated with me was when he talked about running for mayor. He said part of what helped him win was when he went door-to-door he ran into several families who knew him as a soccer coach. “I kept running into people who would say, ‘you coached my son.’” It really spoke to the small-town friendliness he kept describing.
We asked him about what we can do, as citizens, to help him do his job. “Shop local…” he began.
When we asked him for a final thought/anything he wanted to share that we didn’t ask about he said- “Yeah… I wanted to say that… Ypsilanti is a great place to raise a family.”
The whole experience made me very proud to call Ypsilanti home.
1. What story of the stories that were shared that you feel we should explore and address? Yuuri, Tara, Sean, Jasmine and I met with C, a brilliant EMU student in her early 30s who is wheelchair bound. C is pursuing her degree in education. She was accompanied by her dog H. I was struck by C’s love of Ypsilanti and her desire to lift it up. She told rich stories about transportation concerns on Campus and in Ypsilanti and other cities. Many of the restaurants in depot town are not wheelchair assessable and she is not able to participate in these area gems. She also uses the transportation system, sometimes waiting up to an hour for her ride to arrive. However, she is very happy that there IS a system- which many cities and universities do not have. She was very happy to live in Ypsi and was very clear that she was proud to be an Ypsilanti resident. She mentioned the festivals and caring nature of the residents.
2. A day, two, or more after the interview ..is there a moment, a phrase, a feeling that is still with you? C said that she didn’t feel at all restrained or trapped by the city. This surprised me. She said that none of us are trapped her- we can leave at any time. She has made the choice to be here. She also doesn’t see anyone in Ypsilanti as transient- she doesn’t feel that anyone is just moving through. She feels a strong sense of community which prevents her from thinking that people are just moving though. I thought this was really profound.
3. Is there a metaphor or analogy which encapsulates your experience/what was shared? (i.e. walls and bridges) free of imagined restraints
Sorry I didn’t respond early…
Members of “5 Tails” – Meriah, Jasmin, Tara, Sean and myself (yuuri)
Our interviewee – Please refer to Meriah’s comment
Let me begin at question 2…
2. A moment, a phrase, a feeling which is still with me
Like Meriah mentions, I was so impressed that she said she is not stuck in Ypsi, and nobody is. Before the interview, I expected to hear her stories about being stuck in this town because of her situation, but she said clearly that it is her choice to be here…That words have been stuck with me. I complained about many things in Ypsi, but who decided to come here…? It’s…me.
1. The story shared that I feel we should explore and address
We were very lucky to have a chance to meet with and talk with our interviewee. She said that one day she couldn’t move at bus station, when one lady came to her and helped her. It was the moment when she felt community. I can’t remember precisely (need to check out the audio record), but through her voices, what I felt was her pride and happiness being in Ypsi.
Donald, Michael, Tony, and I first interviewed young ladies in a round-table discussion fashion at Ypsilanti High School. Amazing stories about traveling through the city-not just new information about why young people are unhappy with the bus system-but what they must endure going just about anywhere! The combination of honesty, dismay, and humor was…I hate to say great, but it was a great discussion. I learned a lot.
We then visited the Parkridge Community Center. Student stories took a more serious tone. Perhaps because we talked with students one or two at a time-or because they are examples of individuals taking an extra step of their way to find constructive activities…?
I was interested by, but not surprised by how much admiration the Parkridge students had for their director-yet the young people and director shared completely different opinions on the opportunities (or lack there of) offered by Ypsilanti and the surrounding area(s). He offered the notion that students were not unable or unwelcome outside of Ypsilanti proper-but that they were weary of leaving their comfort zone, even if they were critical of where they chose to “stay”
Although I entered with the intent of obtaining material for a show, I gained much more! This was a great experience that I am sincerely grateful to have participated in! I am even more excited to see what happens when we begin to discover and compile the experiences from the other groups.
Gina
Around 50 years ago, Ypsilanti was a town of mono color, but now it is a place of multi-color.
People stood up for “Diversity”, and now we see their endeavors and sacrifices;
“I (a Korean boy) am walking on Ypsilanti”
“People stood for Diversity”
It has been ringing in my mind. Some people hit by garbage, and some people expelled from their church. They could not be still when they saw their family and friends were hit by garbage and pointed by guns. And they rose.
“We like the rainbow”
A town of Rainbow – multi-color
“If you take care of your grass, it helps your community looking good.”
The start of joining community is not too hard. Just cutting my grass, keeping my door clean are a good start. I can start from my door.
Hi there everybody. . .
Well our interview at West Willow went well. Here’s a bit information on how it went. . .
1. What story of the stories that were shared that you feel we should
explore and address?
There sense of history for this neighborhood and Ypsi in general was fascinating. Their pride and ability to sense its growth and diversity was also strong. Optimistic realists is how I would describe them.
2. A day, two, or more after the interview ..is there a moment, a
phrase, a feeling that is still with you?
The neighborhood’s complete shift. . .economically, ethnically, etc
The idea of transience as it applies to those who rent vs those who buy
The sense of pride in this communities cultural richness
The ability to see Ypsi in a larger context historically
The relationship between Pride and sense of History
3. Is there a metaphor or analogy which encapsulates your
experience/what was shared? (i.e. walls and bridges)
Here are a few ideas that came up. . .(not really metaphors)
We like Rainbows.
Work together. Get it better.
Flux & Shifting People
Hometown combining old and new
Good Location/Educational Hub
One way bus routes
Losing jobs and raising prices
ROY Group –
1. What story of the stories that were shared that you feel we should explore and address?
Families and communities. Building. Expanding. The idea of how different people experience Ypsilanti.
2. A day, two, or more after the interview ..is there a moment, a phrase, a feeling that is still with you?
The sentence that stuck with us the most was when Peter was talking about different types of people in the community and how much hope there is here — how much room there is to grow and how it’s already happening. Then, when talking personally about his family he said “This is the only Ypsilanti my daughter knows. And I helped build it.”
3. Is there a metaphor or analogy which encapsulates your experience/what was shared? (i.e. walls and bridges)
Bridges/Building blocks/steps/ladders — growth and development. Things that aren’t happening will be, these things that are absent are on their way.