How can you bring theories of global change into practice?
With the end of the school year approaching, I wanted to focus on defining what it means to understand theory and apply it to students' communities. In conversations with students about urban planning, they continuously asked me the definitions of terminology like the equity planning model not from a lack of understanding but wanting to know more about why there is a need to create these terminologies. Within these moments we questioned why is it that we must create terminology to justify the need to build an equitable future, is it because there is a lack of understanding of the fundamental needs for all and can these kinds of models truly remedy the disconnection between a social justice perspective and planning? To answer these questions we took examples of gentrification from our communities: South Williamsburg, Bed-Stuy, and Baymón. With this case study we aimed to work beyond creating theoretical connections by pairing it with local action like nonprofit organizations to combat gentrification. From these discussions, we began brainstorming personal manifestos to create students who are community advocates.
Over the weekend I worked with Jeremy at the Knickerbocker Ave Puerto Rican Day Parade and it was one unlike any other. The sounds of Frankie Ruiz, El Alfa, and EL Gran Combo bounced between every street corner. Children and families walked around wearing the Puerto Rican flag head to toe as a line of old cars with the Puerto Rican flag marked the path of the parade.
Keywords: advocate, resistance, and identity