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12 comments:
There was a lot said in class this past Tuesday; so much that it was hard focusing on the things that was said by everyone. Now that the class has been involved in what has been going on, every time someone speaks you can feel and see their passion. Everyone is very passionate about what is going on in Champaign-Urbana on and off campus. Now is the time we have to use our voices no matter how weak or strong we make think it is to build up the community and the campus while also knocking down barriers that we can foresee coming as a group for the up and coming community and University.
Our discussion took me back to the readings talking about the (RCM) Rete Civica Di Milano community network. RCM was strongly inspired by the values of the Internet being free and open to all people. RCM major goal was to introduce the Milan community to things we use every single day.
When talking about info technology and building a new community I am not sure how to do this but I can list some of the things I would consider seeing that we would want to use the net to enhance the community and citizens in Champaign-Urbana.
First we need to use the things that are already in place which is the University of Illinois, Douglass Community Center and the Boys and Girls Club. We already have the outlets in place but we need to get more out of these building, people, employers, employees and more.
Second, we use the internet! Facebook, Myspace, and with Twitter being the new hot thing everyone is on there checking statuses and updating their. This is how we keep the word cirulating around the community and the campus.
Third, we need to get the right people in place that are just not all talk. If we don't continue to speak up these people will die in vain. Tyrone Williams and Kiwane Harrington. We have to continue to use our voices to make an impact. Keep showing up to City Hall Council meeting, keep showing up to march, to rally to the courthouse. We have to continue to use this University, this research one institution for all we use our money paying to go to school here. Do the research and pass on the knowledge to people involved wanting to help bring the change about while also being the outlet for the community and the university combine in our efforts for support, dedication and preparation.
I know I do not have all the answer but hopefully this is a start. We have this tool the Internet to do what we need to do to help and bring about change. In our reading it says "it is of course necessary to involve public institutions and force them to use the Net to experiment with new forms of communication between administrators and citizens, electors and the elected." We have the tools and we have the knowledge which is the key to power. We just need to find a way to bring it all together and use what we have talk about and what we use everyday to bring a positive light to change in our community and this community here.
Very well said Marques. Great example from the readings. In fact, the discussion that is going on in the community right now is how do your align youth serving organizations to support the development of youth in the hood.
I think it's important to have a community web portal where people in Champaign-Urbana can see local events, businesses, and opportunities all in one place, sort of like the Seattle Community Network website in Chapter 7. Since "Activism" is so close to the beginning of the alphabet, that section naturally gets placed towards the top and can function as a central cite for community engagement. To engage the hip-hop generation, it needs to be more than just passive information about organizations in the area, it needs to have exciting opportunities as well. That's why events are so important, the portal could be a one-stop-shop for things to do in the local area, with certain businesses featured on weeks that don't have as many interesting events lined up. The events could be cross-listed in Facebook or Myspace, but always with a link pointing back to the main web portal so that kids get drawn in and start to use it. The portal itself could have a profile on those cites as well as Twitter, Flickr, etc... any page that helps disseminate information about what's going on in town. I also really liked the ideas from Chapter 2 where a Regional Information Center was proposed as a solution to over-consumption; an RIC can influence people's buying behavior and incentivize buying local and promote sustainable businesses as opposed to the cheapest, but often least environmentally-responsible, products. An RIC could offer cheaper advertisements to local establishments or simply higher rankings in their search returns.
-Eric
The biggest and most powerful tool in my opinion is the Internet. A lot of infomation is spread everyday via the Internet. With college students it starts with facebook. Just making a facebook event about programs talking about what is happening in the community will built awarness. Also this new thing twitter. A lot of college students are starting to use that as well. A simple status on there will also go a long way. For an older email and newspaper aid caters to their need. The best way to get someone's attention is in person. Hand bills made on computer and a personal invite to an event to better the community will get almost anyone's attention. Then once you have the event on how to better the community then you can turn around and upload it to the Internet so that those who could not make it to theevent could also view the event. Facebook let's people upload videos and everyone know about YouTube.
I would like to say that I enjoyed the last class and it is great to hear that people from all walks have been getting involved in issues happening in Champaign-Urbana, even if they are not from this area.
I think creating a survey like we did at the Mo Betta Music Showcase is a good start. It provided us with information of what technologies people in the targeted area are using as well as what technologies they have access too. It is important to determine public access. First, determine how many community members have limited access. Then try to find ways to include those community members that are disadvantaged or underrepresented so that everyone or almost everyone, has accessibility
The book talks about the importance of citizen involvement in the development of CI. This effort will help to obtain information on the needs and usage. Establish as many individuals, groups and organizations of the community as possible that would be interested in participating in the development or providing access to the underrepresented or disadvantaged groups. Some kind of committee or focus group could be developed that would meet on a regular basis to evaluate the process & progress.
Another tool that may be helpful is to create some kind of public-based or community supported network. In addition, maybe finding out if a federal grant is available to help fund a program that will help provide affordable services or even free service to low income families as well as provide classes that will educate people who don’t know how to use such technologies. Then, you could post things on facebook, send emails, and post important info on a community network page.
Oh wow, I am still so very much overwhelmed with the input from Smooth Rivers. He was to the point, kept it SO REAL, and meant every word of what he put out there for us to digest. It is so hard to really understand where our hood brothers come from if we are not really a part of the hood until they present to us "LIVE, FRONT, and CENTER" (even then we just don't completely get it).
I feel we definitely have to make a conscious effort to develop programs in which the teens in the community are down with. It is so easy to try and run a program for youth based on how WE think it should look, but I really think it has to come from the teens perspective. They know what it takes to get their attention and keep their focus within the framework of what we want to accomplish.
Computer usage and most definitely texting (phone) usage is a plus. How to connect the two, three or four with University and Community and keep it flowing, I am not exactly sure at this point. We need to focus on things for the long haul and not for the moment. Unfortunately we have something to use for our stepping stone, the death of Kiwane Carrington; but we need to be persistent and continuous. Technology can and should be used to connect to our youth in the community and can be used in various ways. We have the facilities to use inthe community and I am sure getting the equipment will not be a major factor(as long as we show just cause for the need). I feel doing things within the community (parades/Chicago invites) dance offs, stepping contest, rapping' contest, poetry contest etc. is a way to gain the teens respect and learn something from each other (University students vs. teens in the community) and build a new bridge of University and Community as a partnership.
We have a long way to go and the sad thing is if we do not hurry and proceed, have a goal, and keep our eye on the prize (HELPING TEENAGERS IN THE COMMUNITY) we will not have this opportunity to assist. Technology changes constantly and we will be floating in the dust and all of our efforts will be another statistic if we do not "ACT" now. The time is now, research needs to sought after and placed into action. Smooth was crying out to us for help to bridge the gap, he can’t do it alone and before long without help, we may lose him to the system or worse.
I think the works of Michael Gurstein says it all….”There is an emerging need for all sectors of society to find ways to optimize the opportunities which information and communications technologies (ICT)present…..………ICT also can be used to support communities in their efforts for social and economic development….….ICT is a technology strategy or discipline which links economic and social development efforts at the community level with emerging opportunities in such areas as electronic commerce, community and civic networks and telecentres, electronic democracy and on-line participation, self-help and virtual health communities, advocacy, cultural enhancement and other.
WE CAN DO THIS IF WE ARE SERIOUS
Dee
I have said all this to say, this is my thoughts on how to build a new community.
We as a community have come together during this tragic time for Kiwane. We must continue this and work with our youth in Champaign/Urbana. We need to get all the Pastors, Community Leaders, School Superintendent, Businessmen, genuine teachers, Social Workers, Mentors and volunteers in the community to get our youths on track. We need to start in the schools. GET THESE KIDS OUT OF THOSE SAGGING PANTS AND PUT THEM IN A SHIRT AND TIE. They need uniforms in the schools which would cut out a lot of police harassment, broken dress codes and so on and so forth. When the police see our youths in saggy clothes, they pick with them and insist it’s some sort of gang signs or something. We as a community need to teach our youths how to be successful and productive in the community and give back. We need to instill in them that they can be the Mayor, Police Chief, doctor, lawyer or Architecture. They need to be taught how to dress for success because they are the future. They need guidance, love and attention. Many are calling out for help and as a community we need to lead them in the right direction. We need workshops of all kind.
After we get Finney and his crew out, our community needs to work together and pull all the retired trustworthy policemen back. When we combine the retired with the few good ones on the force, I think the community will be at ease.
Second, for the youths that don’t see the light yet, we still need to work with them. It might be a little harsh but working with the schools and giving problem students a two strike deal. If they bring any weapons to school and get caught, they are automatically enrolled in the Army. Kicking youths out of school for weeks at a time doesn’t phrase them; it’s just a vacation for most and there need to be harsher punishments. These are my thoughts on working with the youths and getting things back on track.
I agree with F-Long on the importance of getting information out to the disadvantage. There are many low income families that need to be educated on how to use the equipment. Just because you have the materials doesn’t mean you know how to use all the programs. I have a phone that does everything but my only use for it is to call and receive, that’s all. I say this to say, I could use some help on how to use the many programs that are offered on my phone, yes I have a manual. Another issue could be some people can’t read to know what to do or know what’s going on in the community. Are there other programs similar to the Urban League Program that donates computers to the disadvantage?
DPye
My fried is a painter and he is doing a series of civil rights paintings that go right to the heart of the situation.
http://twitpic.com/photos/jason_patterson
he is using art as a way to identify social injustices and make them apparent not hide them away.
Im not quite sure how to do this
But I am ready for suggestions this evening. do we need a movie? a public service announcement to add to the noise that is our democratic outrage?
I have been searching through the reading and I think it is hilarious to make a list on how to communicate. I don't think there is a way to learn this by reading through a list. I think it i just continuing to speak.
Building and sustaining a community is what technology and those that use it seek to accomplish. Understanding that networking, building a system in which everyone can utilize their skills, and have the ACCESS is essential in building a new community. Relaying messages through the internet, telephone, television and even radio brings forth prosperity in small places to the even bigger space. Knowing how to use space to one's advantage and using resources available in areas yields an increase. These resources are often the community and people as a whole that is serviced. The labor force and even smallest voices can push forth the reactions, creativity, and longevity of a COMMUNITY! Learning how to be ambitious and never giving up on the individuals of past,present, and future generations create growth.
As mentioned in Gurstein's "Community Informatics"... "the key factor is the "sense of community" that gives rise to a kind of mutual support, to chains of self-help".(226) This phrase should be at the forefront of discussion when involving a community, it creates positive work spaces and development. Even more importantly when community is created it must be remembered that "people are sovereign citizens with the right to participate in the transformation of the very idea of the city and society that globalization brings with it."(Gurstein,227) When the people are at the forefront of decisions and applications in their own communities it is sure to be heard and followed through in a just way. All in all, the keys to building a community resides in the way technological messages are relayed and the VOICE of the people.
I agree that the community must join with the University of Illinois and other resources such as Douglass Community Center and the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club. Programs can be implemented in the places that serve as resources for the community to create more informed individuals which will bring together the community. Everyone needs to have a voice in the transforming of the community. Once people are informed about programs that are created by them and for them they will want to be apart of them. E-mail, texts, Facebook, and Myspace should be used. Even old fashioned door-to-door will be just as effective although it requires more time. I believe that all people like peace and safety.
The Community moves just as time moves. So I think that with time the community will evolve on its own and use technology to help it move. We don't have to force it because kids are already doing it and they are our future. We will just have to push it on the older people in the community. All we have to do is show them how powerful it is and how it can be used to "move the crowd." In technology there is power. All we have to do is how them some statistics or proof on how effective using texting or internet really is to communicate with the world.
The Community moves just as time moves. So I think that with time the community will evolve on its own and use technology to help it move. We don't have to force it because kids are already doing it and they are our future. We will just have to push it on the older people in the community. All we have to do is show them how powerful it is and how it can be used to "move the crowd." In technology there is power. All we have to do is how them some statistics or proof on how effective using texting or internet really is to communicate with the world.
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