[altroots] Re: altroots Digest V6 #176

RESPONSE TO JOSE'S LETTER
 
How sad that one of the members dealing with this major crisis would feel the 
need to apologize for being so honest about his needs and his struggle at this 
time.  It makes me see that ROOTS needs to become a place where it is okay, 
safe and honored to share one's pressing needs - especially now.
 
In a recent email Carolyn mentioned that ROOTS is still in process and that is 
why it took so long to become proactive with our response to the storm - and 
even then - it seemed to be so haphazard and unorganized as though despite 
after more than twenty years of existence ROOTS is still in its embroyatic 
state.  I feel that this sad and most difficult occaison is a time that 
reflects deeply on what ROOTS is actually managing to represent and clearly, 
helpfully and hopefully with enough force give ROOTS the right time to put in 
place an infrastructure that is more effective.
 
The first thing I suggested was that we make sure we talk to the artist who 
have been affected in those regions and find out exactly what they need and 
want - and yet it never happened.  I am not saying that I am a whiz or the only 
voice - I would not be so presumptious or arrogant but even the fiasco of 
setting up the last conference call could and needs to be handled with a better 
system.  It is too haphazard and confusing.  In no where is it clear who makes 
the final decision and when it will be made.
 
I feel as social activist the key to success is adapting working models of 
administrative and corporate structures to the needs of our artists.  The 
premise of ROOTS is that it wants to be a source of skills, resources, and most 
importantly leadership in the charge to make a powerful and positive 
difference.  As a newcomer my first impression is that the effort to be 
unoffensive and to take care of everyone's feelings results in ROOTS coming off 
as rather wishy washy in how it processes the critical issues and needs that 
ROOTS proposes to address.
 
If we are not careful we will come of as inept and silly - I know that probably 
offends and upsets many of you but I feel strongly that ROOTS is one of the 
types of arts organizations that can ease the sufferring, can impact communites 
to build small and powerful art centers, can become as name worthy and a 
household name as THE RED CROSS, FEMA, THE SALVATION ARMY so that ROOTS is one 
of the first organizations contacted for available artists, programs and to 
receive funds that will be used to make a difference.
 
A clear vision and a clear voice is essential at this time and if that means 
working to give more power to the person administrating the organization - 
based on the integrity of what ROOTS stands for then I think that would really 
help.
 
The fact that this gentleman felt inclined to apologize for asking for help is 
not a reflection of his ego but a poor reflection on Alternate Roots stepping 
into the light and being a place where those working to help make social change 
can know that they are our first priority because when you heal the healers you 
heal a nation.
 
In terms of the next phone conference I hope it won't take another three days 
of emails with so many different responses.  My suggestion is that if Carlton 
can send out a standard form to the excomm for our input that surely a standard 
form can be designed and posted so that who ever is the pivotal people (I 
assume Carlton and Carolyn for funding and administrative purposes) they need 
to list the two to three available times when they can set up and offer the 
conference.  Then using the interactive form that can tabulate the responses 
choose the date and time that the majority of folk say they can conference.  
 
To actually expedite things give a deadline date when responses are needed and 
to show that the volunteers are respected and that their valuable time is also 
not taken for granted consider setting up a minimum twice a week check in 
update time.  By that I mean if I know that Carlton or Carolyn or whoever is 
the one spearheading final decisions is going to post a message every Tuesday 
by 11am and Friday by 5pm I can schedule my time and feel appreciated (remember 
the first rule of thumb of attracting and keeping talented, caring, proactive 
volunteers is to respect their time and to show you (the group as a whole) 
fully values each person's potential contributions and giving ideas, 
participating in problemsolving must never appear to be actions of futility - 
cause most folk have enough things they are juggling already.
 
For the past few weeks I received numerous emails with the subject line 
EXPEDITE and after awhile I felt like the people in the New Orleans storm who 
finally started to say that even though they kept been told that help was on 
the way - nothing was happening.  I feel we really need to restructure the 
system that is seeking to make it possible for as many excom as possible to 
participate so that it works better...because so far (unless private emails go 
to the administrative office) I have only seen the same 5-6 people responding 
and as I recall there were far more people selected/elected/drafted...(ah, an 
attempt at humor since Roots is too often preoccupied with the 'right' term and 
ends up failing at times to 'say anything')
 
This is our opportunity to make a mark - not for vain glory or empty political 
gain - but so that we can become a force to be recognized and not...a group 
that is afraid to offend (ooops that does not mean y'all can use me to practice 
offending anyone - I am generally a good and very sensitive person) folk.  My 
desire and my skill is in stepping back, looking at the way a group is 
percieved based on the actions taken and then using my trusty innovative and 
compulsive need to help make a positive difference - stick my neck out and say 
and do things that make that difference.
 
SIMPLE THINGS MAKE BIG DIFFERENCES...
 
...sending condolence cards
...sending thinking about you messages when anyone expresses pain or distress 
and making
it public and private
...having a schedule for email information being made available on a weekly 
basis - if necessary asking one person to be willing to post this info so that 
the office isn't burdened
...having a online info section to keep us up to date with the going ons (both 
good, bad and desparate) of our excom members and ROOTS members so that we can 
grow to know one another, grow to care about each other and show it.
...and actually the list goes on...
 
There needs to be ways to become more connected in vision, passion and 
awareness because that will increase our ability to be connected to those who 
are not within our immediate reach but who would joing and participate and help 
make a difference if they felt that compassion and concern were our main 
consideration as we stop oppression and root out racism...lofty ideas but only 
possible when you get down and dirty (in a positive way)
 
Mendel
FreeLists Mailing List Manager <ecartis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
altroots Digest Fri, 23 Sep 2005 Volume: 06 Issue: 176

In This Issue:
[altroots] Fwd: Jose Torres Tama/Open letter about the ROOTS
[altroots] Artistic Assistance Cycle 4 Deadline October 7
[altroots] Spread the Word ROOTS, WRFG, Kelly Love Jones
[altroots] 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Allen Welty-Green 
Subject: [altroots] Fwd: Jose Torres Tama/Open letter about the ROOTS Katrina R
Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 10:36:09 -0400

Begin forwarded message:

My dear ROOTS colleagues and executive committee,
Thank you for your interest in trying to develop support for the ROOTS=20=

LA/MS artists who are displaced and unemployed due to the tragedy of=20
Hurricane Katrina. I believe this to be a noble and heartfelt cause by=20=

the ROOTS leadership in figuring out how to contribute to the general=20
relief and support of all of us who are practically "in exile=92 from =
our=20
homes and the lives that we once led within our communities as artists=20=

and residents.
I, for one, am deeply disturbed by the social and rather inhumane=20
conditions that we are hearing about in relationship to so many=20
evacuees and how they are being treated by the FEMA authorities and=20
even the Red Cross as "detainees" under military strategies that are=20
less than humane in their supposed "aid" to people who have lost=20
everything.
I am very interested in figuring out ways to manage some kind of=20
community art projects with any evacuees who have been displaced and=20
are experiencing the trauma of loss and abandonment in the wake of=20
Katrina. I can speak for myself and honestly tell all of you that as=20
strong as I am in will and perseverance and in my need to continue to=20
be an active voice on this tragedy, I go through deep periods of=20
morning everyday. It is not uncommon for me to begin to break down in=20
tears when I come across another story of abuse and injustice in the=20
aftermath of this tragedy. I do not have the indifference of heart to=20
not be affected by what I read=97especially in the face of what I=20
experienced in New Orleans after Katrina. I am simply not made of the=20
steely indifference that seems to be the modus operandi by government=20
officials acting in the interest of big business and the blatant=20
corruption and hypocrisy that they subscribe to in maintaining their=20
power and control. Already Haliburton
and Blackwater, the insidious corporate duo that respectively brought=20=

you the Iraq reconstruction mess and the ubiquitous prison abuse of=20
Muslim civilians, are positioned in New Orleans for no-bid contracts of=20=

rebuilding and private security for the wealthy property owners uptown.
Thus, I mourn for my beloved city of New Orleans that is currently=20
under military siege and that has been unnecessarily transformed into a=20=

war zone for "containment and martial law" practices engineered by=20
homeland security sadists eager to implement their post 9/11 tactics. I=20=

mourn for my artist colleagues and communities who are displaced across=20=

this vast expanse and some of whom I have not heard from and others who=20=

have lost all or parts of their homes and studios. I mourn for the=20
thousands whose suffering seems unimaginable at times and who are=20
dispossessed of everything they once knew and had. I mourn for the=20
state of this social experiment called the United States=97this country=20=

that I am having trouble believing in and its rogue government that has=20=

the blood of its citizenry on its hands once more.
As such, I am sometimes gripped by a deep, deep pain and depression=20
that often cripples me into inaction and makes me question any efforts=20=

I engage in as useless acts of futility in the face of such a corrupt=20
beast that this system--which favors capital over people--has become. I=20=

am not saying this to be over dramatic. I am simply stating how I feel=20=

about this house of cards that has been exposed for all its fragility=20
by the winds of Katrina. I can honestly say that it has become very=20
difficult for me to believe in the social agreements that we seem to=20
collectively adhere to in our desperate need for the creation of a=20
civil society where people are supposedly the most valued entities and=20=

not private property. Katrina=92s winds blew down the house of cards =
that=20
was a fragile New Orleans whose social ills of extreme disparities=20
across race, class and economics are not much different than any other=20=

urban metropolis in this country.
Think of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and even Atlanta and you do not=20=

have to look very far out of your windows to see the same racial and=20
economical dichotomies in place. Maybe all you need in your communities=20=

is a catastrophe like Katrina to expose the lies that we are living=20
under this administration that continues to forge an extreme polarized=20=

legacy of socialism and corporate welfare for the rich and unfettered,=20=

brutal capitalism for the working class and poor.
Thus, I am desperately trying to believe in this place, people, and=20
frankly, the only thing that has kept me going is the kindness and=20
outreach that many of you have expressed. I may add that the love of my=20=

partner and family are also much needed blessings that keep me sane and=20=

help me focus on the activism that I need to undertake to continue=20
forward.
With all of this said, I would like to hear some more specific plans on=20=

how ROOTS is looking to develop support for art projects to assist=20
displaced artists and communities. The language of the letter that I=20
received explaining the support in development seems somewhat unclear,=20=

and this may be because the plan is still in the process of being=20
defined. I can understand that, but please consider some more direct=20
input from those of us who are currently displaced and are ourselves a=20=

bit traumatized by this experience.
In the face of immediate needs, my laptop computer took a bit of a=20
beating as I was desperately evacuating the chaos of New Orleans, and=20
it seems to be on its last legs as the screen is almost coming apart=20
from the keyboard body. If any of you have any ideas on how I may be=20
able to acquire another (even a better used one), I am open to=20
suggestions. Unfortunately, a number of projects that I had in New=20
Orleans are in a deep state of suspension, and as such, I have lost=20
quite a bit of work and funds. Since I am a working artists who is=20
solely supported through my variety of art projects and tours, I am=20
looking to figure out ways to supplement the funds from the many New=20
Orleans projects that have disappeared indefinitely.
In short, if your community can handle a Latino performance and visual=20=

artist with something to say about the real-estate-of-things and the=20
immigrant experience, I am open for residency possibilities and can use=20=

the employment. I apologize for the candid solicitation, but these=20
times call for desperate measures. On the bright side, I still have a=20
few national residency projects left for the rest of this fall season=20
that will certainly help. I look forward to your suggestions.
Un abrazo electronico para todos/a bilingual electronic hug to you all,
Ashe, gracias,
Jose Torres Tama
www.torrestama.com
"in exile" in Gainesville, Florida
504-232-2968


------------------------------

Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 10:57:19 -0500
Subject: [altroots] Artistic Assistance Cycle 4 Deadline October 7
From: Alternate ROOTS 

Dear ROOTers, 

This is just a little reminder that the deadline for this cycle of Artistic
Assistance funding is October 7(received). The guidelines and application
can be located on the ROOTS web site via the links below. The application
process is easy and the turnaround quick. All deadlines are clearly outlined
in the guidelines. 

If you meet the criteria for this opportunity you are encouraged to apply.
We look forward to supporting as many ROOTers as funds will permit. Best of
luck to all who apply.

For your convenience the document has been provided in both Word and PDF
formats. 

To access the word document go to
http://www.alternateroots.org/documents/Artistic_Assist%20Fall05.doc

To access the pdf file go to
http://www.alternateroots.org/documents/Artistic_Assist%20_Fall05.pdf


Sincerely,


Carolyn Morris



------------------------------

Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 14:26:59 -0500
Subject: [altroots] Spread the Word ROOTS, WRFG, Kelly Love Jones
From: Alternate ROOTS 

Keeping New Orleans Alive: WRFG, Alternate Roots and Kelly Love Jones
invite you to support the music and culture of the great city of New
Orleans with a benefit concert, Keeping New Orleans Alive. The event
features all New Orleans-based artists who have lost their homes,
livelihood and instruments due to Hurricane Katrina =96 artists such as
Emmanuel Burke, Clarence Johnson and Steve Walker with Spins by DJ
Dynamite Dave Soul. This evening of celebration will kick off with a
traditional New Orleans second line brass band parade. All proceeds
will be donated directly to the musicians and their families that
evening. So come planning to give. Join WRFG, Alternate Roots and
Kelly Love Jones on Sunday, September 25, 5:00 pm at the 5 Spot in
Little 5 Points (1123 Euclid Avenue). For more information, call 404-
577-1079 or email secondlinemusicians@xxxxxxxxxx



------------------------------

Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 15:47:20 -0500
Subject: [altroots] 
From: Alternate ROOTS 

TellTale Theatre is looking for male and
female professional improvisational actors - paid per performance - for its
new improv troupe. It will perform for (grown up) audiences at TellTale new
black box theatre at the Artisan Resource Center in Marietta. Kelly Cody
Grimm (17 years professional improv. experience) will train the company and
also participate. If you=E2=80=9Ad like to audition please email (or mail) 
tellta=
le:
telltaletheatre@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx or at 585 Cobb Parkway S. #A4, Marietta, Ga.
30060. Include Pic/Resume. Auditions will be held at the Art Place (3330
Sandy Plains Rd. Marietta) on Monday evening Sept. 26th from 6:30-9pm.
Please prepare one very short comic monologue. Kelly will run you through
improv. group work.
=20
=20
John Schmedes
telltaletheatre@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx



------------------------------

End of altroots Digest V6 #176
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