There are 22 neighborhoods in which 40% or more of the population is living below the Federal Poverty Line.
When a group of Christians got together to discuss this issue and how to address it, they realized that almost none of them lived in any of the 22.
And so The Voices of the Brookings' 22 Project was born.
For the last three months a housemate and I have been driving around to some of the 22 neighborhoods. Armed with a video camera, we ask people two questions: what are three great things about your neighborhood and what are three things you think could be changed immediately to improve it? Their answers will be compiled and shown in an hour long video to 490 churches, the city council and the mayor.
It's hard to get people to interview with us. Sometimes they have been reluctant to be filmed in their pajamas. Sometimes they have been resentful of terms like "impoverished." Sometimes they have even been hostile about the direction in which we point our camera.
While the reactions can get discouraging, they have made real something we talk about in the Pink House a lot: I am not the savior of the inner city.
This project is meant to bring about change. It is meant to help. It is meant to be a megaphone for the people whose voices are not often heard.
And yes, some of those voices are saying, leave me alone.
1 comment:
Lauren, my husband and I had a similar idea a few years ago but a bit different - give me your thoughts. He is a brilliant photographer and we wanted to do a project on Ventura's homeless, photographs and interviews, in order to raise awareness of it's widespread issue to the larger community that is much wealthier. (most homeless have health and/or mental health issues as you now know) it fell by the way side with my brain tumors but we've not completely forgotten the notion of doing it. I love that you're thinking about those with less than yourself. Good for you. Keep your heart pure. Your folks would be so proud. I'm proud of you and keeping you in my prayers and thoughts.
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