In Walk On Walk Out, read pp. xv-xvii, 22-72
1. What do you notice about the way way the book is structured, about its narrative arc? Why do you think the authors chose this structure to tell the stories of their journeys in communities? After reading these first two journeys which element of the narrative did you find most effective?
2. Look at the Guiding Questions for the Colloquium on the course syllabus. Find places in the narrative journeys that speak to these questions. Pick at least one question from each of the underlined what categories in the Guiding Questions on the second page of the syllabus. Cite a minimum of one reference from the communities in Mexico and Brazil for each question.
3. Imagine one of the strategies used by one of these communities - Mexico or Brazil - and how that strategy could be replicated or adapted in the community in which you are working.
I notice that the book is structured like a story being told from the speakers view. It is easy to relate to and to understand. The area I liked specifically is the "Moving into Reflection" where the writer is able to reflect on things learned, read, and understood in the past journeys(pg. 42).
ReplyDeleteWhat is interconnection?
Interconnection is becoming a united team which works together because we share one similarity. Brazil explains this for example in the room of salted circles. As they are discussing the room it is said that "this is the perfect place to build another dream...to have a healthy social fabric...when we restore a degraded public space, we restore our connections to each other and to our community" (Pg. 55). This is the perfect example of interconnection. These people all share the same idea that they have been hurt by their losses and are now working together with the same common goal of fixing their community.
Why is community important?
Community is important for change as well as hope. In Brazil they explain that the "Apene was a tragic warehouse filled with the detritus of our disposable culture" (pg. 66). With the use of teamwork the "Warriors without weapons planned a fiesta-a block party for the whole community-[and what is] being unveiled is the Centro Cultural Paqueta, a community center where people can gather to tell stories, play games, watch movies, and rediscover with one another" (pg. 67). This is why community is important, it is needed to build together and see change in society by strength in numbers as well as gives hope. As this country has seen its hardships, it takes community to ban together in support of one another. This is what is happening with the Centro Cultural Paqueta.
How will we tell the story of meaningful connection?
Story is told with a meaningful connection by use of simply telling a story in a way that we can connect to and understand. In Mexico this is explained well when "An army that fires words" is being explained. This actually tells a story well through connection by the word usage, they use "you" to convey that you yourself are there and you put yourself in the story to understand and feel connected. They are sharing their own stories for connection when they arrive at the Cada De Junta del Buen Gobierno and are asked "about the reason for your visit...someone responds 'I am here to learn so that I can share your story'" (pg. 33). They themselves are trying to learn a story in order to have a connection and then re-tell the story later to spread the word. This is a way that stories are told with connection.
I think that the strategy used was the "oasis game" this idea of gathering community members from not the outside, but the inside. The inside people in the community are who really matter in places like Brazil. Outside help is nice, but it is the community members who need to stand up and be encouraged for change. The oasis games encouraged building places of joy, beauty, and connection. These are safe places were connections will be made and where ideas can be brought up. I think helping communities build this foundation of trust, rapport, and support would help the community we are working in right now, the Canal. If community members would gather together and work together as a team then there could be more change produced
In the first story, I’ve noticed they started with a little bit of History background and moved to the woman’s narrative. This is very effective because she is telling the audience who she is and there is the use of “you”, so it feels like the woman is talking directly to you. In between the stories, there are letters written by Deborah, the author. This gives her insight about the story she is telling us about.
ReplyDeleteWhen the author describes the settings, they are very vivid. It makes you feel like you are walking along her side. Her descriptions feel like she’s grabbing a camera and filming everything she sees, except that it is through writing. And feels that I am on the journey with her in her adventures wherever she goes. In addition, she uses quotes from people, like Daniel’s experience when he goes to India to build the cycle-mixie. After finishing through the journey, there is a reflection page. I found this very interesting, as the author forces you to reflect on the story and sometimes we just rush to read and don’t reflect on the important matters. Then there is the Scaling Up and Scaling Across portion. Again, this reinforces the main ideas of Scaling Up and Across. The author throws in some questions for the reader to think about, this engages the audiences’ thoughtful process.
What is community?
When Deborah got invited to go to Brazil, she had to team up with members of the School of Warriors Without Weapons. This is community: “Some nights, you’ll sit for hours around the Fire Council, sharing what you’ve learned and what you’re committed to learning.” ( pg. 53). Community is about sharing your experiences with others and learning from each other, helping each other out and connecting with people of different backgrounds from ours.
…” the lessons have been designed by the community, and the older students become teachers of the younger ones” (pg. 33). I really like the idea of the older students teaching the younger ones. It is all about sharing all your knowledge and passing it to the ongoing generations. This is really important because the younger students feel more comfortable learning from someone that has learned the same material in the past. They were once students too, they are just like them and there isn’t a hierarchical status.
Why is community important?
Community is important because we can learn from each other. If one person has an amazing idea, imagine having several innovative ideas all put in together as a whole. “What we learn from each others’ successful innovations is that wheels are possible. What others invent can inspire us to become inventive, can show us what’s achievable.” (pg. 46). We can achieve more when we think as a community. Communities help each other grow and support each other as opposed to having one single person creating a project.
How will we tell the story of meaningful connection?
We tell a story of meaningful connection by genuinely telling it to others. And by saying it with a tone that were are comfortable with. For example, telling a story using “you” is very effective. At the beginning of Mexico’s story, the woman tells: “I have survived the diseases you brought by you” (pg. 21) This last sentence, gives you a more personal story and brings the reader to the scene.
I think the Elos Institute strategy is very effective. I liked the mission statement of Elos Institute “ … helping people recover their ability to dream and find the will to realize these dreams with others.” (pg. 53) I believe that this strategy can be implemented at the Canal. If we made the Canal community to recapture their dreams, they will know they have someone at their side supporting them in their future endeavors. And also by linking them with others that want to succeed and sharing that success with others it’s very important to establish a strong community.
Walk Out Walk On
ReplyDeleteWhat I really enjoyed in this narrative was that the author was literally taking the reader on a journey to different communities that are trying to innovate the way that they live. I think that the authors chose this way of presenting the stories because it made the reader feel included, as if they were actually there at these communities. The narrative that I most enjoyed was about Elos Institute in Brazil, with the narrative I felt like I was actually there, and learning about their culture. I found that this was the most effective.
What is Community? In the narrative of the Elos Institute in Brazil the community were known as “warriors” and they were basically a built a community to build dreams, and unleash creativity.
What is Interconnection? Interconnection is a community connecting together on something that they have in common. In the Elos Institute all the member wanted to celebrate their culture, and achieve their dreams. To connect with each other they use games and cultural celebrations.
How will we tell the story of meaningful connection?
Telling a story with a meaningfu connection is difficult but important. This is the case in the Elos Institute they all make with the games that they play, and the way that they connect with each other. In Brazil, I enjoyed how they connected through saving the environment I think that this type of connection in working together brings people togehter.
3. I really enjoyed reading about the Oasis Game, I think that it really brought people together building things together and I think that it fosters, creativity and working together, and I think that this would work in my community partner. I think it would encourage the students to work hard, and work with each other. Also having the accomplishment of having built something with your own two hands can be very rewarding and the students at MCCS, would benefit the students greatly. The Oasis game is very universal and it transcends culture, that why the Oasis game could benefit children of any culture.
Lauren Rocha
Walk out Walk On
ReplyDelete1.) I really liked how this book is structured, I think the "Learing Journey" aspect is great. I also liked how in the beggining the authors tell you how they are structuring the chapters through Immersion, Observation, Other Examples and Reflection. The Reflection part for me was really helpful because sometimes readind I would find my self so emerged in detail so it was great to reflect on what I read. "As we visit each community, it's our goal to create sensory overload"(page 42)this quote was great because the authors definietly want you to feel like you are experiencing this first hand.
What is community?
Community is a place where people who live together come and help one another. Community can literally be the people you live next to or people you relate with and connect with. "Scaling across happens when people create something locally and inspire others who carry the idea home and develop it in their own unique way" (page 36) I think this is great because if proves that you can spread your community far.
Why is community important?
Community is important because it builds connections, it unites people. "As we connect with others and discover solutions to our problems, our small local efforts can emerge into large-scale change"(page 46). Community is important because once you help your own community and do change for the better it will inspire other communities or people will become involved in other commnities to help them.
What makes our lives meaningful?
Helping others and seeing other people happy is what makes our lives meaningful. "Games invite us to let go of our resignation and our senses of limitation-and simply to start dreaming, creating and imagining"(page 59). Games are the definition of happiness seeing people enjoy themselves and having fun is what makes life meaningful.
3.)I really liked the idea of the "Oasis Game" it really brought the community together old and young. This reminds me a lot of my service learning at Bahia Vista. The kids getting so involved and excited to play and make food. I think the Oasis Game can brings kids and their parents closer together, strenghtening the community.
Journey to Mexico & Brasil
ReplyDeleteThe structure of the book is very creative. It allows the readers to go on a journey with the writer and really be able to comprehend what is going on, while still be interested and even engaged. Also, many times when books are written in an engaging and creative manner, they seem to be unorganized, but this book is actually very organized in structure.
This book was written in a way that I felt like I had actually been there with them. All of the feelings that they were feeling and what they were seeing/experiencing, I felt that I was, too.
The element of the narrative that I found most effective was how the readers are kind of informed of where the writer is going to take them. It allowed me to somewhat "prepare" myself for the journey ahead of me (the writer's journey)
"What is community?" There is a part in the narrative talking about the people of Mexico. It shows how their are many different people living in the community, but "they speak many languages and honor many traditions" (23). I thought this was a good quote for this question because it goes to show you that people in a community can be and are very different. I feel that I am part of a community in my neighborhood. Just like the people here, there are many different languages being spoken, customs being practiced, and beliefs.
"Why is community important?" “What does work is when teams from one organization travel to another and, through that experience, see themselves more clearly, strengthen their relationships, and renew their creativity” (35). Community is very important in life. People feed off of one another and spiritually grow through communities and interactions with others.
"How will we tell the story of meaningful connection?" "Will you remember their story? Will you let it remain in your heart and provoke your imagination?" (41) This goes to show that it is recognized that many stories go forgotten and nothing can be done because stories are forgotten. Also, some people hear stories and tend to forget about them and forget the importance of the stories they hear.
The oasis game definitely is the coolest strategy in the narrative. It brought the entire community together and probably allowed for people to trust others in their community and to form bonds. When community members feel comfortable with one another they are more likely to share their thoughts and feelings, allowing for a more cohesive, stronger, and safer community.
1.Authors Margaret Wheatley and Deborah Frieze structure the book in a way much different than other class readings and even most books. Specifically, I felt like I was on a journey, touring first Mexico and then Brazil. The author uses both formal and the more informal method of writing by speaking exactly to the reader. There are also lots of images throughout which mirror or put an image to the places and peoples you’re learning about. Throughout the book, Wheatley and frieze also include shorter ‘gray bubbles’ with their own personal experience, perspective or explanation of various themes and content. While this does create some confusion, it also clarifies or enriches the material at some points as well. I found the simplicity is description and observation to be the most effective, as I was able to easily understand the context and content without having to pause and dissect complicated sentences. And, contrary to popular belief, the simplicity of wording and organization was actually better for me to comprehend the knowledge being put forth
ReplyDelete2. What is interconnection?
“Suppose that the kind of large-scale systems change that many of us have been yearning for emerges when local-actions get connected globally” (p.28).
Why is community important?
“[Change] happens as small local efforts create and develop solutions that then travel freely through networks of relationship. Each community works from the same principles, yet what manifest from local ingenuity are designs and innovations that look very different and that are beautifully adapted to work well in there own environment” (p. 38-39).
How do we use information for social change? What narrative will bring us together as a local and global community?
“This is how sustainable change happens in this networked, interconnected world. A few people focus on their local challenges and issues. They experiment, learn, find solutions that work in their local context. Word travels fast in networks and people hear about their success. The may come visit or engage in spirited communications. As we connect with others and discover solutions to our problems, our small local efforts can emerge into large-scale change” (p.46)
3.Now that I’m thinking about, I think the idea of play and the Oasis Game could be applied to the Youth Scholarship Program. The students could all gather and talk about what they want from the YSP program and what they are getting. Then they could be given some basic supplies and told to design what they wanted to have, using the supplies and resources available to them. For the dance and ceremony, different community members could be brought in (some of whom they students have already me or know about) and they could help provide the rich storytelling and dance of Aztec, Mayan, and/or other indigenous cultural rituals. The students seemed to love this from previous events and speakers. We could “play at changing the world” (p.57) and in the case the Canal Alliance program and community.
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