| What Do We Do? Pt. II |
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| Written by Steve Peraza | |
| Friday, 30 October 2009 | |
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US poverty is on the rise, says the US Census Bureau. The question that remains, then, is: What will Americans do to stop it? As I mentioned in an earlier post, Buffalonians have approached the problem of urban poverty from above and below. In the latter case, citizen activists like Joseph Augstell have chosen to raise awareness through art. His film, "Buffalo, New York" (see video), offers a visual representation of Buffalo's urban poverty. What do the images accomplish that government reports and statistics do not? What kind of story is Augstell trying to tell in his film? Can a film like this affect political, economic, and social changes or does it merely sensationalize and/or sentimentalize the problem? I argue that films like Augstell's are powerful in the ways that they use visual and audio media to dramatize a social problem. In this case our hip hop interlocutor calls our attention to the structural and racial inequalities pervading American society, as we simultaneously see for ourselves the effects of these inequalities on Buffalo's landscape. Indeed if the goal is to stir one's passions then the film is successful. But is the film a call to action? Here I'm not so sure...Part of what I felt watching Augstell's film was shame. My gaze: It was that of person concerned but not necessarily connected. "Poor Buffalo," I thought from my cozy living room. And without any mention of change in the film, or discussion/presentation of people/organizations who want to help, or numbers to call in order to volunteer or to donate-with none of these provided, Buffalo's blight became spectacle, nothing more, nothing less. While I admire Augstell's craftsmanship and effort, I worry that this bit of art was less functional than it needed to be...What do you think?
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  written by Adriana Cordero Calderon , November 08, 2009 Steve, As you may have read from my posts, I am a believer in art and its power to change our society in many different levels. However, there is an important factor which is the direct call to DO something about the problems affecting a specific sector of society. This video is good for someone like me who hasn't visited Buffalo. However, it just presents some houses and cites some stats. It left me asking, "so what?, what now?" I think something important is to make these type of videos public (which I hope is happening with this one among Buffalo citizens). Something that we lack is dialogue: not only with these videos, but with any other type of visual reflection, people should be able to discuss about it, interpret what is happening, and propose solutions (be them for a team or for the individual) I feel this video needs to call to an effective dialogue among Buffalo citizens, to publically reflect on their environment and DEMAND for feasible solutions to the higher authorities... or better yet, to start changing the situation from the bottom (family, school, neighborhoods) up. report abuse
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 written by Matt , November 03, 2009 Hey Steve, after watching this video I would definitely agree with your take that this unfortunately is not a call to any practical action. It's definitely moving, kind of infuriating in a way (and perhaps that's the idea), but ya it is rather dissapointing that it doesn't offer any avenues to connect in action to any volunteer, political or philanthropic organizations. I would argue that an emotional wake up call is necessary but hardly sufficient to change any thing in the world. It can be a good jumping off point, but taking that next step requires a pragmatic approach. I want to also respond here to some of the comments you made regarding my post about that Swede's article about happiness in Ethiopia. I agree with your suggestion that perhaps he only saw what he wanted to see in Ethiopia. It's easy to romanticize a culture like Ethiopia, especially when you don't have to live in the poverty that many Ethiopians do from the crib to the grave. I admit that I probably romanticize Ethiopian culture, but I try to do so subjectively, because I honestly had a profound experience living there, rather than trying to feign an objective praising of everything habesha (ethiopian). In regards to your point that happiness can be quite a let down (if objectified), I noticed that Ethiopians time and time again would tell me about their dreams for a better tomorrow, a college degree, a decently paying job (even teacher's were disgustingly underpaid), and maybe even a visa to go to the US or Europe. They expressed so many goals for the future, and yet what they really taught me more than anythign else, was how to enjoy the little things in life; having coffee, sharing lunch, playing soccer, and just sitting and talking. I was shown time and time again, that happiness doesn't have to be a pipedream (like the American dream you speak of) but can simply be a way of staying connected to the moment by sharing it with other people. I agree that the western culture influenced this Swede's observations, just as much as it influenced and influences my own. But perhaps the only way to change the way we look at things is ask and experience how other people see the world. All the while, it's so critical that we remember our own cultural identity (whatever it may be), because that is our starting point, whether we like it or not. We can not choose what eyes we are born with but we can choose what we look at it and who we look with, with the real intention of connecting to people through shared experiences. This all said, I definitely agree with your idea that happiness as the object of living the American dream is a tradegy for many. By always trying to be somewhere else, with so much else, how can one ever enjoy what you always already have, that being, your relationships. What really most ticks me off though is that so many Americans have to work so many hours for so many jobs just to get by, thus taking away the time they could, and probably want to, spend with their friends and family. report abuse
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