"Talk About Race? Relax, It's OK" (NYT Jan 15 2009)

How has Barack Obama's election changed the conversation about race relations in the U.S.? Read this NY Times article and check out the reader comments.

Note: This is not an assignment. The blog response will be posted on Monday, Feb. 2




http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/fashion/15race.html?_r=1

Welcome to Film 150: Multicultural America!

Welcome to Film 150: Multicultural America! This semester, our course Service Learning component will be conducted at Johnsons' Park Neighborhood Association (JPNA), a neighborhood preservation and improvement organization located in the Lindsay Heights Development District. Here's a Google map image of their service area:

Service Area: 16th to 20th Streets, Walnut Street to Fond du Lac Avenue

Since its establishment, the JPNA has worked with the City of Milwaukee and other community partners to build new homes and renovate existing properties in its service area, promote business development, and improve the overall quality of life for residents through economic, health, environmental and cultural initiatives. As stated on their website:

"Since 2003 over 60 new homes have been built in an area that consisted of older homes interspersed with formerly vacant, littered lots and boarded-up buildings. The residents organized and established a collective vision for the area. We believe in creating and promoting a safe and friendly neighborhood. We will be proative in improving the quality of life for all residents."

Along with its home development and improvement projects, the JPNA has established initiatives and collaborative projects, including:

• The Johnsons' Park Health Alliance (see Winter 2008 newsletter)
• Center for Resilient Cities
• Friends of the Park System
• Department of Neighborhood Services
  
• Walnut Way Conservation Corp.

Through the Greater Johnsons' Park initiative, plans have been developed to create urban green spaces (Alice's Garden), community youth programs (Brown Street Academy), and for Johnsons' Park to become part of the Underground Railroad of Wisconsin Network to Freedom.


Throughout the semester, we will create a media archive of Johnsons' Park Neighborhood Association. Check out previous Film 150 sites to get an idea of the types of projects you can undertake during the semester (see "Links" on sidebar). Also, take a look at JPNA's website.