New Orleans March for non-violence; Librarian today.
Yesterday our volunteer group, Hands On, along with 3000 people marched from their neighborhoods to the city hall for a rally concerning the recent killings. 9 in 9 days. Violent crime is nothing new in NO but it has escalated and the residents are angry. There were 7 speakers at the rally including a young woman who's brother was one of the victims of the recent shootings. Her brother was a musician and worked as a volunteer helping to rebuild this city where he was born. She choked back tears as she pleaded with the youth of the city to put down their weapons. It was very emotional. Some of the speakers were very powerful and spoke with a great deal of emotion. There were some that blamed the government,some that said it was the parents, some said it is our failing education system and some named it as a poverty issue. Personally I think it's all of the above. Definitely people are scared-scared to live here, fearful of reporting crime, angry at the police and ready to fight for their city. Some people carried signs that had a picture of a loved on that died of violent crime. Some had signs that said "impeach Bush" and most had signs and t-shirts that simply said, "Enough." Many of the people at the rally either cheered when the speaker said something or booed or yelled out their opinions There was a lot of shouting and anger but no violence. One speaker suggested that we bring Christianity back into our school and many people booed. Another suggested more police and the woman in front of me started screaming- "NO! NO! That is not the answer!"
I got some BBQ one the way back from the march and somehow dropped my camera in the bag and it was soaked in BBQ sauce. Now it doesn't work. Hoping I can fix it myself.
I wish that I had seen CNN last night as Anderson Cooper was on interviewing residents and volunteers, one of which was a Hands On volunteer. Did anyone see it?
Today I'm working in the library at the YMCA charter school today. I've been nervous whether or not I could handle the kids and the library itself. But after walking around, pulling out books and working with the kids that have come by-it's been great. I don't understand the system of how it is set up. I think it's a mess but I have to talk with Melody, our chef, who set this up. All the books are donations and the school does not have a budget for a library let alone a librarian. It's all done by volunteers some of who are only here a week. So some weeks it's just not open. The kids coming down the hall ( I can see them through the window smile and wave at me smiles. They come in so excited that the library is open and apologize for their books they are returning late. They were due when the library was closed for 2 weeks. Yet, they were so worried. I tell them it's not their fault and thank them for returning their book. Many of the kids are so excited to check out a book or find what they are looking for in the enclyclopedia.
I'm hoping that the college group from Bard College will be here today as I've talked with a music teacher from there and planned to sit in on one of his classes. He's doing music classes without instruments, teaching about rhythm and form.
Ok, they are here and asked me to make a llst of books needed in the library as they are going to do a book drive when they return. So exciting and I hope it happens. Smart kids and one brought her father to teach music.
I plan to work the library all next week.
I got some BBQ one the way back from the march and somehow dropped my camera in the bag and it was soaked in BBQ sauce. Now it doesn't work. Hoping I can fix it myself.
I wish that I had seen CNN last night as Anderson Cooper was on interviewing residents and volunteers, one of which was a Hands On volunteer. Did anyone see it?
Today I'm working in the library at the YMCA charter school today. I've been nervous whether or not I could handle the kids and the library itself. But after walking around, pulling out books and working with the kids that have come by-it's been great. I don't understand the system of how it is set up. I think it's a mess but I have to talk with Melody, our chef, who set this up. All the books are donations and the school does not have a budget for a library let alone a librarian. It's all done by volunteers some of who are only here a week. So some weeks it's just not open. The kids coming down the hall ( I can see them through the window smile and wave at me smiles. They come in so excited that the library is open and apologize for their books they are returning late. They were due when the library was closed for 2 weeks. Yet, they were so worried. I tell them it's not their fault and thank them for returning their book. Many of the kids are so excited to check out a book or find what they are looking for in the enclyclopedia.
I'm hoping that the college group from Bard College will be here today as I've talked with a music teacher from there and planned to sit in on one of his classes. He's doing music classes without instruments, teaching about rhythm and form.
Ok, they are here and asked me to make a llst of books needed in the library as they are going to do a book drive when they return. So exciting and I hope it happens. Smart kids and one brought her father to teach music.
I plan to work the library all next week.
posted by singsforyou at 8:50 AM
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