Muchas Gracias Phoenix

Metamorphosed, my gaze of gentrification emerged.  Grace of the community, delicate symmetry of three mountain ranges, allurement of "hood" art and raw faux transposing of a village were the ethnography findings done by our class.  Our vibrant harbinger was Dr. Kristin Koptiuch from Arizona State University West.  A praise of acknowledgement to the passion she has for instructing and enlightening minds through unconventional modes. Thank you Dr. K.!  Gratefulness to my peers, being a small and intimate class allowed opportunity for growth.  A big shout out to my South Phoenix Gang, Scott Nicholls, Nikki Holland, and Jeremiah Isbell.  The three of you brought angles to the research that was subjective while staying grounded.

Over an eight week period our class had to digest colossal-size information and stimuli.  The groundwork was south of the river between 19th avenue and 16th street.  Many hours consisted of "drive bys", becoming assimilated with the area.  Our explorations investigated were the Rio Salado Project, Travis Williams Family Services Center, Habitat for Humanity Villas Esperanza community and South Mountain Park.  The spectrum was wide-spread on lecturers, many thanks to Alan Stephenson, Susan Sargeant, Danielle Taddy, Steve Brittle and Sara Grineski.  The most respected gratitude goes toward the inhabitants of South Phoenix (take note I'm NOT using South Mountain Village).  Their life stories, community concerns and opening of their homes is appreciated.

One of the biggest understandings I've come to in life is not taking what may be said or documented in life but what is left out.  On my journey with Learning from South Phoenix, it was the ones who chose NOT  to express themselves that became very telling for me.  For example Alan Stephenson, Planning Department, City of Phoenix when asked questions on Phoenix having an identity, spoke up like a true politician and gently ignored the answering.  Perhaps he is frustrated planning a city absent of identity.  And to the Vice Principal of South Mountain High School who turned us down for coming to speak with classes on "changes" in South Phoenix while having them do Memory Maps.  He serves on boards for promoting restoration.  Is he scared we could be putting truths into youth's heads? Lastly, to the larger part of the community who remain silent unable to express their wants and needs due to lack of resources.  There is a saying "butterflies taking flight over the Pacific can cause a hurricane", in other words every thought or action, tiny to substantial makes a difference.  With this in mind, please make a conscious effort to understand and honor the community in which you live.   

Ciao...Nos vemos!

Ginni Colton