“Murals are the blackboards of the people…”
Saturday, August 16th, 2008The moving story of the modern history of a people,
captured in immovable images…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_mHvmmvDx0&feature=related
”…my secret dream…”
Archive for the ‘08. Leadership: Structural Change’ Category
Graffiti in our midst
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
Graffiti in alley behind Hattie Marcus Building on fence and shed
Graffiti abatement in progress New overlay the next day
Antelope Community, including the city of Mission, is by most standards, a very small community, with only about 2000 residents. Yet we share an unfortunate similarity with the big cities and that is… the presence of street gangs and their graffiti.
Graffiti is that psychological warfare used to infuse fear and discouragement into law-abiding citizens. If the graffiti remains unchallenged, it succeeds in accomplishing that goal. ..
At CREDO, “we believe” in using community-based resources to bring about positive change to our area, whether those resources be youth, volunteers, interested adults, faith-based organizations, funding sources, businesses, government entities, and so on. So, here’s an idea for graffiti abatement using these and other resources.
Consider these “why nots”. Why not…
…engage our youth to wipe out the graffiti by establishing abatement teams of 1 adult and 2 youth…
…secure and use leftover paints and used brushes and supplies from local entities (i.e., from SWA Housing, City of Mission, YouthWorks, Tree of Life Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, Todd County School District maintenance, churches, individuals)…
…set up C.A.M.P. sites (Community Allotted Mural Placement sites) for our local and talented young artists to express themselves in a positive way and take on a feeling of ownership in their community…
…get slick by painting the finished murals with oil to discourage grafitti overlay…
…call it the GR.A.M.I. Project (GR.affiti A.batement*M.ural I.nfusion)…
…organize mural competitions and establish the GR.A.M.I. Awards for the winners (and everybody wins, don’t they?)…
…include area businesses and entities as sponsors…
…revel in the ongoing community collaboration…
and why not?? Let’s do it….
Do you live in or around Mission/Antelope? Would you like to be part of this effort, provide a positive role model to some of our young people, and do the community a service? What a great grassroots opportunity!
Help us organize this project and develop our greatest community resource – OUR YOUTH ! Call us at CREDO — Leo at (605)856-8127 or Chris at 208-5126.
