In the first week of the 2023 Encampment, Encampers are learning about each other and their communities, and going out into local communities to learn about them. This week’s highlights include a trip to Santa Barbara’s Ortega Park with Chumash tribe members Marcus V.O. Lopez and Andi Garcia. Ortega Park is a focal point for community organizing because it has been allowed to degrade, with amenities being taken away and murals painted by community members eroding and slotted for removal. Ms. Garcia spoke about the meaning of the park as a sacred gathering space and of the power of art that represents the local community’s culture. They are actively organizing to have a voice in the development planned by the city that would further take away parts of the park that are integral to the local community.
Encampers took a tour of the artwork, led by Ms. Garcia, who helped to create one of the murals when she was in middle school. Encamper Ursa created a cartoon on the spot, showing their reflection on the power of people’s voices being represented in their public art and what it means to have that taken away.
They convened to talk about the nuts and bolts of the community organizing at various levels that the Ortega Park Steering Committee is doing. Ms. Garcia mentioned that they started with about 20 people standing in a circle because the city had taken away the benches and as the circle participants talked, they learned about the work of other organizations that the people belonged to, which was another benefit.
Encampers shared their own stories of community organizing about topics such as allowing African-American history to be taught in school in Kentucky, Texas book bans, diversity that includes neuro-divergent people in Massachusetts, obstacles to immigrants integrating into the community in California, and homophobia in schools in New Jersey. Encampers Basil and Monica brought up that when changes are made to curricula, the decisions being made sometimes do not reflect understanding of some ethnic authors’ work. Basil also mentioned that he uses his photography in his advocacy efforts in New York.
The group then headed with Marcus Lopez to Butterfly Beach, where he told them about the importance of water in Chumash culture and then led them in a group experience of floating, connecting themselves to the water and to each other.
Click for video of Encampers exploring the ocean.
Click for the 2023 Encampment shout.
On Sunday, senior intern Adriana Diaz shared a slideshow of her hometown in Oaxaca as a beginning to a day focused on culture and community. There was a lively and emotional discussion as people commented on the similarities and differences between their communities. The Encampers learned how to explore the community they were about to visit critically — a process called community mapping. These are the questions they were encouraged to ask themselves as they observed the powerful cultural activity of an Oxnard swap meet. Click for a brief glimpse into Adriana’s workshop.
- What are you hearing, seeing, feeling? Who do you see? Did you see anything special or cool? Does anything feel familiar to you?
- How do you understand what this place means to the community? What does it mean and how do we process this event? How does this event connect with social justice? What experience will you carry with you?
Encampers had time later that evening to reflect on the day, and process their questions and takeaways that evening. They noted that observing through a social justice lens, having safe zones and informal gathering spaces are important to organizing.
Encamper Ola commented: “My experience at Ortega Park and Butterfly Beach was one of the most unique experiences I’ve had the pleasure of being a part of. The field trip allowed Encampers to examine the full scope of issues that most of us were already familiar with, such as the real-life consequences of gentrification and lack of support from city officials. We were able to hear from prominent figures in the community, such as Marcus Lopez and Andi Garcia. Andi grew up in the neighborhood and even helped to paint one of the murals when she was in seventh grade. She explained that the city was going to use a ‘Master Plan’ to redesign the park and knock down the murals there. The city used the excuse of too many homeless people being there and slowly removed the basketball courts, places to sit and even trash cans. Marcus and Andi fought to get their communal spaces back by organizing family events at the park and forcing the city to start restoring the facilities. We looked at all the murals and discussed the symbolism of the art and how important it is to preserve. The trip to the beach was also important for the opportunity to decompress and be mindful of our surroundings. Being with my fellow Encampers in the cold water was a special feeling that I will not soon forget.”
What do you love about the Encampment so far? Interviewed in the first week of the Encampment, Brooklyn and Johan talk about two key components of the EFC approach.
Our thanks to Adriana Campos-Ojeda (aoc.cinema@gmail.com) for photo and video documentation. Thanks also to Ruth Thaler-Carter, EFC 1970, for her copyediting. She can be reached at Ruth@writerruth.com.
REGISTER
Registration is open for the virtual 2023 InterGen, Saturday July 22, in the last week of the Summer Intensive. Join the latest Encampers, parents, staff and supporters to hear about what the Encampers are learning through creative presentations and small-group breakouts. Virtual registration is open until Thursday July 20. In-person registration has closed but if you live locally and want to join for the day, please contact us at admin@encampmentforcitizenship.org to register.
Questions about either, email us at admin@encampmentforcitizenship.org
Very exciting experiences they are having!