Refection 1: How has the process of planning your individual products and group project been going so far, and how can aspects of Adrienne Maree Brown’s Emergent Strategy inform the work you continue to do?
The process of planning our products in the research group has been amazing. We all have our stuff needed to finish these products, so that makes it easier to brainstorm ideas. One aspect from the Emergent Strategy is to start small to create big. That can help our group in many ways. Our products are already set up to help future CODES students possibly take over our work to continue making changes. Interconnectedness or critical connections are also a big aspect for us. All our products connect to help create one successful product or can just be many small products together. Collective Action is a priority in our group which means we need to trust each other. We make sure every group member has a say in what is being done and will take action on any projects needing improvement. Last but not least, we have learned from our mistakes, they were lessons. Mistakes have been very helpful for our group. Most of our projects are based around our past experiences and mistakes for our afterschool program with Alton Middle school.
Reflection 2
1) What if Kwezens’ motivation for learning wasn’t her own curiosity and joy, but recognition within the state-run education system? What then?
—> What would it look like if you’re learning, both within this class and beyond, was based on your own curiosity and joy, rather than recognition? What would change about how/what/where you learn?
I believe if everyone could pick out the classes, they wanted to take rather than what they have to take, their heart will be closer to the work they do. Luckly, I got out of all general education classes and went right into what I wanted to do and I feel like it’s my whole life already.
2) If you want to learn about something, you need to take your body onto the land and do it. Get practice. If you want to learn about movement building, get yourself outside involved with people that are building movements. That doesn’t mean don’t read books, or don’t talk to people with all kinds of intelligence. It doesn’t mean don’t find mentors. It does mean, get out, get involved and get invested.
—> What are some things you’ve learned, both within this class and beyond, through getting out/involved/invested? What is something you want to learn through getting out/involved/invested?
I have learned more about the impact of crime to others who were involved and not involved directly. My cold case internship makes me be more aware of elements I would never have thought of in some cases. Working with the kids at Alton Middle school has exposed me to more views on crimes other than just the offender and victim.
3) Coming to know also requires complex, committed, consensual engagement. Relationships within Nishnaabewin are based upon the consent – the informed (honest) consent – of all beings involved. The word consensual here is key because if children learn to normalize dominance and non-consent within the context of education, then non-consent becomes a normalized part of the ‘tool kit’ of those who have and wield power.
—> How have you/can you ensure that your engagement with your community partners and/or project audience(s) is consensual? How can you foster consensual engagement within your team?
Our research group sent out consent forms to confirm this with the kids’ parents/guardians. Consent within our team usually just comes out of discussion.
4) Nishnaabeg society, in its fullest realization, requires a diversity of excellence to continue to produce an abundance of supportive relationships. / All kinds of knowledge are important and necessary in a communal and emergent balance.
—> What kind(s) of knowledge do you bring to your work, both within this class and beyond? How do your strengths fit into the broader network of your team?
I bring experience in criminal justice and sociology. This way my team and I can look at things in those perspectives. Since we were doing an afterschool program for kids involved in youth violence this was just my path. I taught the kids about what violence is and how it can be different for each child.
Bonus: Individuals carry the responsibility for generating meaning within their own lives – they carry the responsibility for engaging their minds, bodies and spirits in a practice of generating meaning. Within Nishnaabewin, I am responsible for my thoughts and ideas. I am responsible for my own interpretations and that is why you’ll always hear from our Elders what appears to be them ‘qualifying’ their teachings with statements that position them as learners, that position their ideas as their own understandings and place their teachings within the context of their own lived experience. This is deliberate, ethical and profoundly careful with Nishnaabewin because to do otherwise is considered arrogant and intrusive with the potential to interfere with other beings’ life pathways. Although individuals have the responsibility to self-actualize within this system, intelligence in this context is not an individual’s property to own; once an individual has carried a particular teaching around to the point where they can easily embody that teaching, they, then, also become responsible for sharing it according to the ethics and protocols of the system.
—> How can you integrate your positionality/lived experience in your work, both within this class and beyond? How can you embody your own truth/knowledge/essence in this world, without infringing on others’ own ways?
I bring the criminal justice mind to the table. I also pay close attention to body language and details.
Reflection 3: Which of the five principles has been most relevant in your work with CODES in previous semesters? Which of the five principles is most relevant now?
I believe principle 3, Invoke emotion with intention was most relevant in my work in previous semesters and now. Without any emotion and intention there would be no effort to do any action. Since our team works closely with kids and crime, It’s important to show emotion and intention in this field of work. The reason for this is because when working with kids especially at the age they are they can sense when others really want to be there for them or if they are here for something other than what you promised. I feel being motivated to do something is where all of your energy comes from and that is what is going to get you to be great.
Reflection 4: Think about the target audience for each of your products. Now, consider yourself at the age of that target group, and/or in the context of your other shared identities. What drew/draws you in to peoples’ work? Think about aspects of writing, imagery, sound, design, etc. How might you shape/modify your own work, with this in mind?
My target audience will be a little older than me. For my first product i’m looking to target parents, teachers or anyone looking to move in that area of Alton IL. The interactive map will allow others to learn more about the area they are interested in. My paper will gain interest in anyone working with children that want to improve peer relationships. This paper will also involve pictures from my own experiences. The only thing I am going to add to my products now its a description of the map on our class website.