For my final intervention I hosted another meeting for Newark PD & FD. This meeting lasted 2 hours and this time I had people interacted with each other, just giving them the feeling everything will be okay. This meeting was broken in two sections one for the ladies and one for the men.
The reason for the two separate meeting is to make then women and men feel safe and feel more free to speak with each other. After that some of the men and women came together and had a softball game to end the day with a smile. (Another 2 hours)
What is your project? - My project is helping others heal. To tell their stories bout domestic Violence and sexual assault survivors to express to others and help others speak up.
Why did I pick this? - Im a lot of peoples "person" who open up and tell me stuff bout what's going on and a lot of them told me bout being survivors and I knew I needed to do something to bring people together and heal on trauma.
What is your messages for the audience? - The message to my audience is it's okay to be scared but there a whole army behind you who did went through the same thing or even have a loved one who did as well. I think it's good for survivors to get together and work together to heal.
How did I reach my audience? - I went around and posted it on the halls of precincts and fire house walls and also the hispanic law enforcement (hles) lounge. To show them it's ok to come together to talk bout everything.
How did the audience engage with the project? - The audience saw it and came to talk in on an open mic and talk to others and come together to feel safe.
What feedback have I received? - That the two separate meetings was needed and it felt more open for them to really open up and talk bout what's going on or what happen in their life.
How does this project fit into your professional aspirations and your portfolio? - This project fits my portfolio because I love to bring people together and feel safe to talk and feel like they're not hurting anymore or hiding.
What artist or other projects have influences or inspired your own project? -
Tarana Burke : She founded the Me Too movement, which emphasizes empowerment through shared stories and community healing—very similar to the purpose of your meeting.
BrenΓ© Brown: Known for her work on vulnerability and courage, her ideas support creating safe, open spaces where people can speak without shame.
Jackson Katz:Focuses on engaging communities, especially men, in conversations about preventing violence.
What research has helped you inform this project? -
National Domestic Violence Hotline: Their survivor-centered approach (confidentiality, support, non-judgment) is a strong model for structuring your meeting.
RAINN: One of the largest anti–sexual violence organizations; they focus on support, resources, and awareness, which aligns closely with your goal.
Futures Without Violence: Works on prevention and healing, often creating programs that bring people together safely—similar to your meeting idea.
4 quotes from class readings -
"If knowledge is power, and knowledge is now so freely available, then why does power still remain firmly in the hands of a few? Something is wrong with the equation."
"When used by activists, the phrase "stepping off the curb" refers to the moment that one leaves the sidewalk and enters the street to join a protest, but in a broader sense it means making the step from passive indifference into active engagment."
"We are often motivated more by emotional attachments to issues, perspectives, and politicians than by reasoned political positions."
"To be an artistic activist, it helps to have a creative habitat. This habitat is a place where we can cultivate, grow and replenish our creativity for the rest of our lives"
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