ACTION is a four year arts and

activism program that uses

Visual Arts, Theater and Poetry

to speak up about issues in our

communities.

About our title... The Freedom Summer, also known as the Mississippi Sumer Project was a project that took place in the summer of 1964. It was organized by the Council of Federated Organizations, a coalition of the Mississippi branches of the four largest civil rights organizations (SNCC, CORE, NAACP and SCLC). This Freedom Summer was all about developing a campaign to register as many African-

American voters in Mississippi, which was notorious for its segregation and voter restriction policies aimed at Black people. Every summer, ACTION embarks on a month long intensive session where we explore different issues and travel out of state to partner with different youth groups. We believe in carrying on the legacy of the Freedom Summer by continuing to fight for social justice.

ContentsSee what DreamYard ACTION participants say about their trip to Chicago, Illinois

1. University of Chicago and Millennium Park - Two famous Chicago sites greet us.

2. Paseo Boricua - Come celebrate Puerto Rican Art and Culture

3. Gun Control - Are guns destroying our society?

4. Food Review - Can Chicago’s food scene tame these NY tongues?

5. Free Minds, Free People A conference for social change

Contributors

University of Chicagoby Irma Linares

There are almost 50 majors and almost 30 minors at the University of Chicago, Biological Science, Chemistry, Journalism, and Medicine are just a few. Approximately 60 percent of UChicago students received financial assistance. There are 5369 undergraduate students, and 9850 graduates, professional and other students on campus. When we visited the campus. we were led by our tour guide, Sinclair, a rising Junior from Indianapolis. He told us about the dormitories that the campus has, and how students are separated into rooms by their questionnaire answers. What I remembered most about our trip to the University of Chicago was the information that Sinclair gave us about admission requirements and what sports the University has. The library and the chapel were the places that most stood out to me because the library looks really big and I think that it would be a good place to study, especially when there are tests coming up. I was surprised when I discovered that UChicago offers the subject that I want to study, which is medicine. I really like the campus‒it looks very different than the colleges of New York. Overall it seems like UChicago is a good school.

Millennium Parkby Sabrina Peralta

While on our trip to Chicago we visited a well known tourist spot called Millennium Park. One of the first things we saw was the outdoor concert venue. It was a large area with many seats and an orchestra was playing when we arrived. The next thing we saw was the Cloud Gate which looks like a big silver bean. When you looked deeper into it you could see many different reflections . It felt like going into different dimensions . It was created by British artist Anish Kapoor. Another thing we saw was the crown fountain. The crown fountain consists of two small glass towers that displayed digital images with different faces of people. It was surrounded by many little kids in bathing suits getting wet and enjoying the weather. The park was amazing. There were wonderful art pieces at every turn. My favorite part was the Cloud Gate because we took amazing pictures near it. I would definitely go back for more.

One of the many beautiful buildings on the University of Chicago’s campus

1 ! Freedom Summer 2013

ACTION is a four year arts and activism program for high school students. Its goal is to use the creative arts as a tool for social justice in communities. Every summer, ACTION participants have an opportunity to travel out of state and collaborate with different organizations who also work on social justice issues. This summer, ACTION visited Chicago to attend the Free Minds, Free People Conference, and to partner with Global Kids and the Sadie Nash Leadership Project. After a few days of preparation work, 9 ACTION participants packed their bags and headed to LaGuardia airport ready to hit up the Windy City.

Free Minds, Free People was a very eventful, educational, and enlightening conference. At the conference, I learned about issues happening in the world that I would not have heard of otherwise. Issues like the blatant segregation of schools in Alabama, as well as the covert segregation of schools in Chicago. I learned about things at the Free Minds, Free People Conference that simply shouldn't be happening in the world. Every aspect of this conference was incredible, starting from the keynote presentation, to the last workshop I attended.

“I am because we are, we are therefore I am.” This lasting, ending quote to the keynote speech given by Jitu Brown, became the call and response that rang out from the audience with passion and

energy. The entire keynote speech, which took place at the People’s Church of Chicago, was completely captivating and didn't allow you to lose focus; it MADE you pay attention. It also beautifully segued into the rest of the conference, instilling a sense of creativity and critical thinking for the day.

When we left the keynote speech we headed straight for the Uplift High School, where the conference was being held. The first workshop/panel that I attended was was hosted by the Global Kids Project and two of our own ACTION participants, Angel Matos and Vida Annan. The workshop was a panel discussion hosted by HS students addressing the current issues facing public schools. The panelists did a great job, however it was fairly evident that some of the panelists were nervous and others were more confident in their presentation. This led to a slight imbalance in voices as some panelists really stepped up, and others barely participated. Despite this, the panel was still successful and brought up very interesting conversations. There was even an inspiring speech made by one of the workshop participants; many left feeling empowered and ready to make changes in their respective schools and communities.

The next workshop I attended was entitled “Urban Art for Community Awareness”. I feel as though it was a good workshop that informed the participants of the struggles happening in Detroit, such as gentrification, the fiscal crisis and

other such issues. It showed me that the struggle for equality is happening all over the United States, not just in centralized areas. It also didn’t hurt that the Raiz Up Collective, the workshop presenters, was a hip hop based program and that the workshop organizers put on a little show for us, which was awesome.

The last workshop I went to was entitled “Foster Care to Prison Pipeline”. This workshop wasn't all that great. The workshop facilitator seemed as if she was overwhelmed by the amount of people that attended her workshop. She seemed to lose control and the entire workshop consisted of participants talking amongst themselves about the topic. Once we were done with the activity, I feel as though she didn't do a good job of connecting the activity to the Foster Care to Prison Pipeline. Although there were negative aspects to the workshop, the concept of the workshop was interesting and I felt more educated on a topic that prior to the conference, I knew absolutely nothing about.

In conclusion, the Free Minds Free People conference was amazing. It was very educational and had a strong impact. I now feel like I’m part of a larger community of activists. From the keynote speech to the closing workshop, my mind was completely stimulated throughout and there was never a dull moment in that conference. “We may not win the battle, but we WILL win the war.”-Jitu Brown.

How do you change the world? Meeting up at a social justice conference is a good first step.

by Sam E. Tutiven

Freedom Summer 2013 6

Sabrina Peralta

ACTION Participant

Irma Linares

ACTION Participant

Sam Tutiven

ACTION Participant

Ashley Reyes

ACTION Intern

Angel Matos

ACTION Intern

Austin Greene

ACTION Teaching Artist

The Sketchbook Project & The MothThis summer, participants of the ACTION Project participated in The Sketchbook Project, an interactive exhibit of sketchbooks

filled with the art and writing of various people from around the world. There are currently over 27,648 sketchbooks from 135 countries around the globe housed in the Brooklyn Art Library, the home of the Sketchbook Project’s permanent collection. ACTION participants are exploring the theme “Borders and Lines”, and once done, they’ll

submit their books to the Brooklyn Art Library to be a part of the ever growing library of artist submitted sketchbooks. ACTION participants also spent time with The Moth examining the art of storytelling and refining their storytelling skills. The Moth is a non-profit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. Stories can be a compelling tool of social change, and The Moth is helping us sharpen our storytelling tools. Visit www.sketchbook project.com and www.themoth.org for more information about these two great initiatives.

Paseo Boricuaby Irma Linares

The Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture is a cultural and educational institute devoted to the promotion and advancement of Puerto Rican cultural arts. The Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture addresses the needs of the Puerto Rican diaspora through the presentation of visual arts. The IPRAC grew from a shared vision among member of Chicago`s Puerto Rican community and local supporters of arts and culture. They built a institution that reflects Puerto Rican identity and also connects with other organizations and the community. The IPRAC building was designed by architects Frommann and Jebsen and constructed in 1895 and 1896.After all the repairs the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, but unfortunately, fired destroyed 40 percent of the roof and the second floor in 1992.

After much repair work, the building is now home to the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture. It has wonderful paintings that stand out and attract people’s attention. The thing that I really liked about the tour was that everything reflected Puerto Rican culture. Seeing those people there reminds me that they are proud of who they are and where they are from.

Just a few blocks away from the IPRAC was Paseo Boricua, a section of several blocks along Division Street in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. Paseo

Boricua had several stores, schools and businesses for the Puerto Rican community. While we were walking trough the neighborhood we saw a huge Puerto Rican flag which represented the beginning of Paseo Boricua. We saw a nutrition center, a daycare, and place where people can go to exercise for free. We also was stores where they sell things that are related to Puerto Rican people and their culture. There were many images of Puerto Rican freedom fighters such as Pedro Albizu Campos. It was very powerful to see such unity and pride in a community.

Freedom Summer 2013 2

BBQ Chicken & Pepperoni Deep Dish Pizza from

Giordano’s

Quartino’s For our first dinner in Chicago, we went to an Italian restaurant named Quartino’s. This restaurant was great. At this restaurant, I ordered a tortellini alfredo, minus the peas, with prosciutto. Overall, the food was delicious, though the prosciutto was slimy and the food wasn’t very filling. The service was excellent and the wait staff was very accommodating. The bread they served as an appetizer wasn’t fabulous but it wasn’t terrible either. The entire Quartino’s experience was great, from the cool bathroom attendant to the TV playing interesting Italian films, and the bread was pretty good too.

Nellie’s Puerto Rican Breakfast and Lunch Restaurant Nellie’s Puerto Rican Breakfast and Lunch Restaurant was a pretty good place to eat. This restaurant is located

in the Paseo Boricua community in Chicago, which is a community centered on Puerto Rican culture and is a predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood. The food was decent and the service was average. The waiter only checked on us periodically, which could give the impression of a lack of attention and care for the customers. The participants also complained as to how filling the food was and that it didn’t leave space for any other food.

Siam Noodle and Rice Despite my not being a huge fan of Thai food, Siam Noodle and Rice was a great restaurant. The service was amazing, and I think everyone would agree that the elderly woman running the shop was awesome. When we ordered food, there were no mishaps and the food was up to par. The waiters even gave recommendations as to what to eat, what not to eat, and judged perfectly

how much someone would like the food. There is one complaint‒the basil beef meatball was a little bit spicier than requested. Not everyone has the palate for spicy food, so its important that restaurants be able to tailor the level of spice to that of the patron. That one factor affected my ability to enjoy my food and I unfortunately did not get to fully enjoy what was, in reality, a very good meal.

Giordano’s All of the ACTION participants agree‒Giordano’s has won “Best In Chi” title and very much deserves it. Their deep dish, Chicago style, “cake-sized” pizza takes it away in terms of flavor, presentation and overall greatness. When asked what he thought about the pizza, Angel Matos, (ACTION intern) replied, “If it were any better, I’d HAVE to cry”. He then proceeded to grant Giordano’s the coveted 5-star rating.

Best In Chi... Chicago Food Review

While in Chicago, we visited many restaurants to eat food and enjoy the day. Each of these restaurants had amazing food. However, only one could gain the title of “Best in Chi”.

by Sam E. Tutiven

5! Freedom Summer 2013

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remember scrolling through my phone while I relaxed after my first trip to

Chicago with the ACTION project. The only Facebook statuses I kept seeing were “George Zimmerman not guilty.” I couldn’t believe it so I turned on the TV and there it was all over the news, in big bold letters: “GEORGE ZIMMERMAN NOT GUILTY.” It was still a big shock to me. After hearing what happened in the Trayvon Martin incident, they didn’t find Zimmerman guilty. However I knew it was coming because it’s the typical verdict in many gun related crimes. A major problem happening in modern society is gun violence. Gun violence is defined as a category of crime using a firearm. Similar to a host of other problems that have plagued urban and suburban neighborhoods alike, gun violence has had major effects on our society. Communities with large incidences of gun violence often have increased police presence. The larger numbers of officers are said to be in place to decrease the level of gun violence and to make people feel safe, but more police sometimes mean more violence, particularly in urban areas.

Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman, and my brother...by Sabrina Peralta

I

Another effect of gun violence is that it makes the people in the neighborhood feel unsafe in their own homes or just even walking out to the store. There are stereotypes created about the certain neighborhoods with high rates of gun violence. For example many people assume the Bronx is one of the most violent and dangerous boroughs because of the high crime rates. People making assumptions about a certain place because of unfortunate events is one of the ways that gun violence can negatively impact communities.

While the overall effects of gun violence are negative, families that have to navigate streets overwhelmed with gun violence can become closer. That means they share a greater bond with each other and care more for each other because they want to make sure

everyone is protected. Unfortunately however, it can also tear families apart because there can be a greater sorrow and depression over the gun related crimes. Gun violence can also affect how you view the world because it can make you angry when you think about why such cruel people out there feel the need to kill. It can also make you angry because you start asking gripping questions, like “why would something so bad happen to an innocent person?” Many people view the world as a great place that can give people life and new beginnings. I used to see the world just like that‒my belief that no one

could ever be hurt or leave this world was truly genuine. Then one day it all changed. I remember I was about 9 years old and my grandma had just come to pick me up from school. She told me “Sabri, hurry up we have to go to the hospital right away.” “Abuelita what’s wrong?” Her facial expression looked so sad and heartbroken, I will never forget how she looked at me. I didn't understand what was going on, but I hurried anyway. I remember it was raining and it took us a while to find a cab but finally we were able to get to the hospital. “Something bad has happened to one of your brothers.” I asked her what happened and she told me not to worry, that everything would be fine. By the tone of her voice, however, I knew something was wrong. Eventually, my mom and sister got to the hospital and they went to go see my brother. I couldn’t go in because I was too young. No one really wanted to tell me what happened because who would have the heart to tell an innocent 9-year-old girl that her brother was dead due to gun violence. Finally one of my family members came and told me what had happened. I didn’t know how to react. I lost my one of my older brothers to gun violence. I had never personally experienced any deaths before my brother. In that moment, the world suddenly became a harsh and cruel place that only wanted to take people away. Life wasn’t as simple as it was before; it made me see that life could be taken away at any moment.

I wish that gun violence didn’t exist because it takes away opportunities from people that could have changed the world. It also makes children think its okay to carry guns and kill people. I don’t think children should be exposed to those kinds of things because they can grow up with the wrong mentality. I also think that the issue of gun violence should have more exposure in the media because I think people aren’t educated enough about gun control. Thinking back to the Trayvon Martin incident, I can’t help but wonder how different the situation would’ve been had there been no gun involved. I believe if there were stricter gun control laws, the whole incident could have been avoided. Gun control is the regulation of gun sales. I don’t see a legitimate reason for George

Zimmerman, or many other people for that matter, to carry a gun. There should be laws that limit the availability of guns. One way that we can have an impact on gun violence is by having more rallies, and boycotts expressing our opinion on gun control. We can also bring more awareness to the issue by writing letters to government officials or those in power. If we all work together, we can reduce gun violence and hopefully eliminate it.

Gun Violence Statistics

DEATHS*More than 30,000 people are killed by firearms each year in the US

*More than 30 people are shot and murdered each day

*½ of the people killed by gun violence daily are between the ages of 18 and 35, and ⅓ of them are under age 20

OWNERSHIP OF GUNS*The US has an estimated 283 million guns in civilian hands

*Each year 4.5 million firearms are sold in the US

GUN HOMICIDES*Japan- less than 50 annually*Europe- less than 150 annually*Canada- less than 200 annually*USA- more than 10,000 annually

*Homicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds and is the primary cause of death among African Americans of that same age group.

OTHER FACTS*15 of the 25 worst mass shootings in the last 50 years took place in the United States.

Freedom Summer 2013 4