Artist Statement

 

I really enjoyed my service learning with Johnsons Park. It was truly amazing to be a part of such a revitalizing/reconstructive moment for this community. I enjoyed researching and looking back to its past history and I enjoyed documenting the current progress made. It seems, to me, that this neighborhood is destined to live/exist. Looking at its roots has shown me that the land of Walnut Way was cultivated by strong, hopeful, and courageous people who gave their all to build what it is now known as; the Historical Bronzeville. The struggle has and always will be the theme of Walnut Way/Johnson’s park but it is those very hardships that continue to be the driving force and heart of this community. Prior to this class assignment, I had never been to Johnson’s Park. I can remember my Grandmother telling me that Walnut Street used to be “Booming” as she would say. I remember her telling me it was an exciting place to hang out, shop, listen to music, and live. I could only imagine this “place” she was referring to, until now.

Of course I am aware of the negative connotations associated with “Milwaukee’s Urban Neighborhoods” and to a certain extent I can understand how people can adopt them, but I do feel that places like Johnson’s park spread undying hope. It seems as if it has been an extremely long journey, and an even longer road ahead. I can say that over the course of this semester I have learned the true meaning of perseverance. This neighborhood has seen so many transformations, but I do believe that the light is finally shining through. It is amazing how everyone in the community is coming together. For example, the Police District is working directly with residents to continue to lower crime, Alice’s garden is giving the community the opportunity to learn how to grow their own produce, and long-term residents have the opportunity to remodel/build their homes. I really feel that Johnson’s park embodies the true meaning of community and interconnectedness.

I really enjoyed my classroom studies as well as this final project. Watching documentaries such as, “Who killed Vincent Chin” has made me realize how the media can manipulate/influence the audience’s perceptions without the audience even being conscious of it. A good example of this is lighting and the focus levels of the camera. It made me think about watching the local news. Whenever there is a shooting or robbery in an “urban” area such as Johnson’s park the images are often dim in lighting and very choppy. When they interview residents after a crime takes place there seems to be a prototype that the reporters are drawn to, a somewhat consistent image of a particular group of people...

All in all I consider my experience in the classroom as well as JPNA to be very rich. On a basic level I learned how to blog! I have also learned how to video record and experiment with images and I do feel that I am able to critique and understand film production a little more. Most of all I am happy that I was able to create unbiased images and footage of Johnsons Park. I am proud to say that I have created media that doesn’t continue to further the stereotypes of Urban Communities. I know that as a class, we have all grown and expanded our perspectives. I know that from here on out, I will approach everything I see, read, and hear without preconceived notions; I recognize the importance of truly seeing something for what it is simply, and discovering its present beauty. 

Underground Railroad: Final Project Interview

This is the oral history of Caroline Quarlls and her journey through Johnsons Park, told by her Great, great, great granddaughter Kimberly Simmons. It was interesting hearing the story opposed to reading about it and seeing all of the roles and help she received, also the various connections between Caroline Quarlls and residents in Waukesha, Milwaukee, and other cities she fled through.  It was interesting to think about because despite the fact that there was so much racism and prejudice in Milwaukee, there were and still are people who believed in equality and justice. 

Interview with Kimberly Simmons

 

I really enjoyed my interview with the 3^rd generation Granddaughter of Caroline Quarlls; the first passenger on Wisconsin’s underground railroad in 1842. She is a strong leader and I am inspired by her dedication to educating her community and aiding other leaders to spread the history of African Americans throughout the Midwest region. She is currently residing in Detroit, MI and is the founder of the Quarlls-Watkins heritage project founded in 2003. This organization serves the community by keeping its history alive, Kimberly goes around to various sites, primarily to schools throughout the Midwest and gives presentations and lectures about the Underground Railroad, particularly her ancestry (Caroline Quarlls and Allen Watkins).

            One of the interesting things about this, is the fact that Caroline Quarlls traveled through what is now the Johnson’s Park neighborhood and because of that Kimberly has designated Johnson’s park as a National Historic site for the Underground Railroad network to Freedom organization.

                        I could literally feel the passion radiating from Kim as she talked about her newfound journey. She talked with me about how this organization has evolved into more historical research and how she is traveling around the country aiding other historic sites on how to preserve their history as well. She has come a long way, starting out in a career in banking. I recall her talking about how she found old photos in her mother’s attic and began to look for the missing pieces, discovering her Great, great, great grandmother, whom she had heard old stories about since her childhood. It is amazing how rich our history is, despite the fact that it hadn’t been recorded because of slaves being unable to write. It makes her journey all the more enjoyable, uncovering countless oral histories and looking for clues scattered around our homeland.

 

Further info: http://www.wlhn.org/wnf/about.htm            

Johnsons Park Neighborhood Meeting!

 

On April 20^th 2009 the Johnsons Park Neighborhood Association held their meeting at the J.O.Y. Center, which is owned by the Christ Presbyterian church. It was exciting to see 88.9 Radio Milwaukee host Adam there. Johnsons Park, among other Milwaukee Neighborhoods is getting lots of press lately, positive press. It seems that not only are residents of Johnsons Park taking notice but other communities as well and it was honestly amazing to be a part of that experience.

The meetings are typically held once a month, and this was one of the first meetings to be held in the J.O.Y. Center. It was nice to see businesses in the area coming together and opening their space for these types of meetings to be held, this just illustrates the strong sense of interconnectedness and community within Johnsons Park. The main topic of this meeting was how the funds from the Stimulus plan would be disbursed to not only the city of Milwaukee itself, but also Johnsons Park in particular. Tony advised the residents that more funding would be put towards Housing Grants for Lindsay Heights and foreclosure prevention. Also the Police District three, in order to increase policing/patrolling.  There was also discussion about upcoming events in the community such as the Neighborhood cleanup and the third year Summer Bike Camp/Swimming lessons. I was particularly interested in this because the neighborhood raffles off about four bikes each summer and the swimming lessons take place at the YMCA. It is a great success because it gives the children something fun/constructive to do, along with working with Alice’s Garden.

Throughout the meeting I truly felt a warm, welcoming sense of community. There is such a strong sense of teamwork and unity here. It is amazing to see everyone come together and share resources, despite our current economic state. In fact, I think that it was makes Johnsons park such a strong foundation; their hope, their vision empowered by the courage and dedication to the community