ENCOMPASS Staff Blog

On the early Saturday morning of November 17, approximately 40 other volunteers and I gathered in a parking lot in Chino. We excitedly introduced ourselves to one another as we loaded pick-up trucks with the baked goods we made (or bought), freshly prepared tamales, bottles of soda and water, and all other supplies necessary to make a feast a success. We all understood that it would be no typical fall feast – by any means. In addition to spending a full day with 40 volunteers who were virtually strangers, there were approximately another 30 strangers waiting for us once we were debriefed one last time on reporting inappropriate behavior, the “no-hostage” policy, and passed the metal detectors. These strangers were 18 -25 year old young men and, wards of the State of California’s Hemen G. Stark Youth Correctional Facility.

For many years now Jimi Castillo, who is a Native American Spiritual Leader for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, has invited friends and community members to join him and the young men he serves for a fall feast celebration. His goal is to gather as many wards as possible with people from the “outside” to spend some quality time with another – in the spirit of love and peace. The young men who serve their time there rarely get such an opportunity. The wards live in an environment of intolerance and violence at the facility, and family or friends infrequently visit most of them. Jimi invited me to be of this special day, along with “Kick” actress DeLanna Studi. She and I both happily agreed to attend.

As part of the day’s events, Jimi and the wards sweat together in the early morning in a traditional Native American sweat lodge located on designated sacred ground at the facility. In the sweat lodge, a ceremonial sauna, the men pray over hot coals, side by side, and heal in the spiritual refuge for a couple of hours, at least.

This year, when the men finished sweating, all the volunteers entered the sacred space and greeted the wards. We were permitted to embrace them there - a small action that demonstrated our love and compassion for these young strangers. With introductions and greetings complete, we all got started organizing the feast. A series of long rectangular table were formed in a straight line – a buffet station of sorts – featuring the items we brought to share. For the first time ever, fresh buffalo ribs were BBQ’d in the space while women gathered and made fry bread. Others danced and played drum or listened to the flute player while conversing with a new friend. I decided to help make fry bread, an adventure I had never undertaken. All in all let’s just say that I am grateful for the fact that fry bread is indeed FRIED and that during that process, almost anything looks and tastes good!

Finally, it was time to eat after all the preparation was complete. Never has it brought so much pleasure to my eyes (a sentiment shared by many other volunteers) to see people enjoying their meal. Plates were stacked high with all of the delicious treats, which even included homemade venison chili! Almost all the young men passed me by as I worked the dessert station saying they would be back later. There just wasn’t enough room on their plate!

So, we ate and we talked, and many of us ate again and talked some more. I could feel the warm fall sun starting to set at that time. A harsh reminder to me, and I also imagine to the wards, that the special occasion would soon be over.

After some time was spent presenting gifts to a beautiful Maori family who came to join us from New Zealand and who shared with the group stories of success and failure for them as the indigenous people of their land, the event shifted back to the wards. They were then granted the opportunity to give gifts to people they connected with over the course of the day. Their gifts consisted of handmade necklaces and beaded medicine bags they made over the course of the year. I was presented with a beautifully colored necklace by a young man who was only 54 days away from his release.

I was incredibly touched by the whole experience and really look forward to participating again next year. It was amazing to help make many young people’s day a great one –filled with love, peace, laughter, and good food – all indicators of what a healthy, happy life can contain and hopefully just a taste of what awaits them when they finish serving their time and go home.

Check out photos from the fall feast taken by The Daily Bulletin here: http://dailybulletin.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=375210&thispage=1 target=”_blank”

Throughout the September and October, ENCOMPASS was busy collaborating with Cornerstone—LA’s premiere multi-ethnic, ensemble-based theater company—to deliver “Literature to Life,” an educational theater program that brings powerful books to life on stage. Through this program, Cornerstone presented a deeply moving stage adaptation of “Warriors Don’t Cry,” the memoir of Melba Patillo Beals, one of the Little Rock Nine. The play was followed by a post show discussion and activity, designed and facilitated by ENCOMPASS.

This powerful one-woman show revealed Melba’s experience as a young black teen who accepted the daunting task of integrating the all-white Central High School in 1957. Not knowing the firestorm that lay ahead or the strength it would take to survive it, Melba’s diary entries captured one girl’s courage, despair, pride, and determination, qualities that helped create one of the best-known stories of racial integration in the history of US education. It was far better than I can describe it—and far more intense than I’m willing to—in this blog. I recommend the book to those who haven’t read it (you can even borrow ENCOMPASS’ copy).

I was the facilitator for Warriors Don’t Cry. Before and after each show, I engaged middle and high school students in dialogue about issues ranging from the historical roots of prejudice, to their experiences with diversity and inclusion contemporarily, at their high schools. I also lead students in a creative writing activity about creating change and moderated a Q&A session with the actor, Cornerstone ensemble member, Bahni Turpin.

Once I accepted the role, I felt strangely hesitant to learn more about the ins-and-outs of Melba’s experience. It’s because it reminded me of the time when a woman told me about her personal experience as a part of a group of seven that integrated one of Macon, Georgia’s all girls’ high school in the 60’s.

I remember her telling me a story of the time she and the other six students got together and decided to spread out at lunch, fully immersing themselves into their new, all-white school. One day they went for it, going to different tables, each filled with not-so-welcoming white faces. As they sat, every white student at each table got up and moved elsewhere. Determined not to retreat, they sat and ate their lunch alone (and I assume quite embarrassed, if not defeated).

The thing is, that teenaged trailblazer grew up to be my mother. When I was a kid, that’s all she told me of her experience. She didn’t make it sound really serious or scary, but still, I think that’s all I had really been ready to hear. I guess moms know that kinda thing.

Anyway, the story faded into the back of my mind until last month, when we partnered with Cornerstone to remount “Warrior’s Don’t Cry” to honor the 50th anniversary of the Little Rock Nines’ remarkable impact on American history. Like Compassion Plays, it reminded me why I love what theater and discussion programs offer human relations work—a safe entry point, a space to see and sort through the complexities of the world, and an opportunity to momentarily step outside of ourselves and see just how much more beauty, horror, and power our stories really contain.

But it also reminded me that, even today, my mother still has a story or two to share with me. I don’t expect it to be identical to Melba’s, or like any of the Little Rock Nine’s for that matter. But whatever it was like, after experiencing this program alongside over 1,100 students in Cornerstone’s Literature to Life program, I’m more ready to hear it than ever before.

Cornerstone Theater Company: www.cornerstonetheater.org

Part Three of Three Parts

As part of the schedule of events for the conference, participants were invited to make posters that would be used at the community protest of the Washington Redskins who were playing he Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday, October 14th. Since DeLanna and I agreed to participate in the protest, we also spent some time with folks making large, hand-painted posters with powerful statements. The plan was to have three groups of people protest at three key locations: 1) The Paper Mill Hotel in Appleton where the Washington Redskins players and management would load up on buses to depart for Lambeau Field, 2) Oneida’s Parish Hall where the buses would actually pass en route to Lambeau Field, and 3) the parking lot at Lambeau Field.

A sample of the more than 20 signs that were hand-painted at the “Examining Choices That Harm Our Children: Why We Should Question the Washington Redskins, Stories About Columbus, and Other Race-Based Entertainment and School Traditions” conference.

DeLanna and I joined the group at the hotel in the hopes of giving pamphlets to the Redskins players and their management so we gathered early in the morning (7 AM to be exact!) in the cold and drizzle. We were unsuccessful in distributing our materials however; we did get a lot of attention with our posters and our chants “No more Indian mascots!”

The Washington Redskins buses never made their way past Oneida’s Parish Hall (who knows what route they ended up taking to Lambeau Field) so that was unfortunate for the group that was gathered there in the cold and drizzle. Our group at Lambeau Field was much more successful! They got a lot of attention from Packers and Redskins fans alike, although it was mostly negative. But, they did get media attention, which is great when thinking about exposing this issue to a larger audience. Check out the following video news clip.

DeLanna and I had wonderful trip and we are thrilled about how “Kick” was positively received by all of our audiences. We sincerely look forward to the opportunity to travel back to Wisconsin to see and work alongside all of our dear friends and colleagues who are there.

ENCOMPASS would like to extend a very special thanks to (in no particular order):
DeLanna Studi, Actor
Barbara Munson, Facilitator (WIEA, Indian Mascot and Logo Taskforce)
Bob Munson, Tour Manager (WIEA, Indian Mascot and Logo Taskforce)
Christine Munson, Facilitator (WIEA, Indian Mascot and Logo Taskforce)
Cliff Morton (Wisconsin State Human Relations Association)
Barbara Miller (University of Wisconsin Oshkosh)
Keary Mattson (Gresham Elementary and High School)
J.P. Leary (Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction)
Dr. Stephanie Fryberg (University of Arizona)
Richie Plass (Changing Winds Advocacy Center)
Ruth Gudinas (Full Circle)
Dorothy Davids (Full Circle)
Carol and Leroy Cardinal
Carol and Harvey Gunderson
Lily Antone-Plass
Ken, Christine and Archer Munson
Brett Munson
John, Brittney and Rio Elise Greendeer
Matt and Song Stewart
The Oneida Nation
The Oneida drum circle and dancers
The Green Bay Packers (for winning Sunday’s game against the Redskins – Go Packers!)
Cheese Curds, black coffee, Grama’s homemade blackberry pie, The Apollan and Famous Dave’s BBQ (mmmmmm)
And the many others whose names I have omitted and with whom we had the pleasure of interacting with on the Wisconsin Fall 2007 “Kick” tour.

Until next time!

Part Two of Three Parts

On October 10, 2007 DeLanna and I departed Los Angeles for Central Wisconsin with a packed tour schedule. We would be doing three shows in three days and then participate in protest against the Washington Redskins who would be playing the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon. “Kick” was booked at UW Oshkosh for a group of Native high school youth who were visiting the campus; the Gresham school, a K-12 public school; and finally, at the first annual conference “Examining Choices That Harm Our Children: Why We Should Question the Washington Redskins, Stories About Columbus, and Other Race-Based Entertainment and School Traditions.”

All of the shows went really well! We had an exceptional turn out for the performances at UW Oshkosh and at Gresham. Although both of these audiences were somewhat quiet and hard to get to participate in the post show discussions, we could all tell that these youth audiences got A LOT from seeing the show. It was amazing to look out into the crowd and see the “wheels spinning” in the minds of these teenagers. Truly, most of them were thinking more deeply about stereotypes and questioning their use for the first time.

Early morning October 13, 2007 before the performance of “Kick” for conference participants at the Oneida Nation Parish Hall.

For the conference on Saturday, October 13th an incredible group of educators, activists, parents, students and community leaders would be in attendance. This was the show I was most looking forward to. My excitement was specifically around the opportunity to meet someone I had been wanting to meet for years – Dr. Stephanie Fryberg (Tulalip), a Social Psychologist currently teaching at the University of Arizona (link).

Dr. Fryberg conducted a study that reveals that exposure to modern day stereotypical images of “Indians” (e.g. Disney’s Pocahontas) significantly lowers the self-esteem and self-efficacy of Native youth. While I worked with the Alliance Against Racial Mascots (ALLARM) for a few years on getting legislation enacted in California to abolish the use of all American Indian mascots from public schools (and by the end of the 2004 legislative session, ONLY the use of “Redskins” mascots), we used Dr. Fryberg’s data while lobbying Assembly Members and Senators. Her research assisted us in our efforts by refuting arguments that this issue was just about political correctness. We had proof that these stereotypes cause harm and that was able to take our conversations to a new level with those who disagreed with the movement.

	At the end of the conference, Juliana Serrano, Dr. Stephanie Fryberg and DeLanna Studi were presented with traditional Oneida hand-woven baskets filled with many more gifts such as sweet grass and sage.

The plan was to have ENCOMPASS present “Kick” before Dr. Fryberg presented her research findings to the conference participants. What a cool collaboration (of sorts)! And, so we did. “Kick” was very well received and the audience was engaged in a very passionate and emotional post show discussion facilitated by Barbara Munson. Most members in the audience shared about how they have been personally affected by these images, and their experience fighting this issue at the state and local level. As a result of the positive experience, many audience members approached us about coming back to Wisconsin in the near future to bring “Kick” to their school or group, and even Dr. Fryberg herself (who so kindly insisted that we all call her Stephanie), suggested that we work something out and come to Arizona one day soon!

Part One of a Three Part Series

DeLanna Studi (actress, “Kick”) and I just returned from a five-day journey in Wisconsin. It was not our first time there. Actually, this trip was our fifth ENCOMPASS Compassion Plays “Kick” tour and we were there just four months ago! Twice in a year! Whew. Wisconsin has started to feel just like home.

Wisconsin? You may ask. Yes. Let me explain. There is some history.

	DeLanna Studi (Cherokee), as Grace Green in ENCOMPASS’ Compassion Play “Kick.”

The state of Wisconsin, like California and almost every other state in our union, has questioned the use of American Indian mascots and logos used by public schools. Efforts to change these mascots in Wisconsin have occurred at the local level, as well as by the state government as there have been several (unsuccessful) attempts to pass legislation prohibiting their use in public, K-12 schools. Given that “Kick” has become such an incredibly valuable tool to educators and activists over the years who wish to question and challenge stereotypes, The Munson family has worked hard to make it possible for this ENCOMPASS Compassion Play to come to Wisconsin from time to time. Through the past five tours, we have brought “Kick” to numerous University of Wisconsin campuses, many high schools (including one high school which uses an American Indian mascot and has been the focus of media attention for their refusal to change), the Wisconsin Indian Education Association annual conference, and several American Indian Studies Summer Institute’s sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Moments before “Kick” begins at the Oneida Nation Turtle School for the American Indian Studies Summer Institute Sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, June 29, 2006.

Just a short blog post to say Happy Birthday to DeLanna (our actress from Kick and a confirmed blog reader!) from all of us at ENCOMPASS!

I’m sure there’s a bunch of folks from camp who have websites (or blogs, or whatever), but here are two from folks that I’m still in contact with who have great websites!

Vincent Chandler - http://www.vincentchandler.com/
Karyn Raz - http://www.karynraz.com/
Charna Cassell - http://www.passionatelife.org/
Brian Joseph - http://brianjosephmusic.com/

I’m sure you’re doing something super cool also, why not send me a link to your website or blog or myspace page? Post it in the comments or send me an email: benwright@encompass.org.

We wanted to let you know that we’ve opened our comments, so please feel free to give us some feedback.

You will have to create a subscriber account for our blog (just username and email). You can do that by clicking on the comments link of a post you’d like to comment on. It will take you to the registration page, where you’ll put your email and user name. A password will be emailed to you (sometimes it gets filtered into the junk filter, so you might want to check there in case it’s not in your inbox.) Once you log in with the password you’ll be able to post comments. Just to note that we will be moderating the comments so they won’t show up right away.

We look forward to hearing from you!

On Friday night, May 11th, Lori, her daughter Nicole, DeLanna Studi (actress from KICK) and I went to the Glasshouse in Pomona to work an ENCOMPASS promotional table at the Ozomatli show. Since we got there early to set up our table and materials, we were treated to hearing OZO’s sound check (which sounded great) and we were even granted a good amount of time to chat with Wil-Dog Abers, the bassist to Ozomatli, before fans came in to the show.

We passed out lots of ENCOMPASS stickers, as well as some flyers and brochures to people as they made their way to and from the OZO merchandise table before the show. During their performance, we were all able to catch a few of the songs and we danced and sang along. Right before OZO ended the show, Will-Dog did a shout out to ENCOMPASS on the microphone and encouraged the audience to come visit our table after the show and sign-up on our mailing list. That was soooooo cool! As a result a concert go-er who also happens to be a counselor, spoke with us after the show and expressed his interest in booking one of the Compassion Plays at his school before the school year ends. We spoke to him on Monday morning and it looks like we will be going to his school soon!

So, not only did we have a wonderful time, but we also got great exposure for ENCOMPASS and booked a show - all from a show! Thanks to Wil-Dog, DeLanna, and Nicole for helping to make it happen.

Southern California’s favorite Latin, hip-hop, rock group Ozomatli is scheduled to perform at local venue on May 11th. AND YOU SHOULD BE THERE!

OZO, as the band is affectionately referred to by fans, formed in 1996 in Los Angeles and have been committed to creative collective collaboration in the writing of their music. They infuse their music with various styles such as salsa, cumbia, jazz, funk, and reggae. Their music often makes bold political statements as members of the band have deep roots in social activism, global human rights and since 2001, especially, in the anti-war movement across the world.

Ozomatli have created three stellar albums during their career: Ozomatli (1998), Embrace the Chaos (2001) and Street Signs (2004) which won a Grammy for the Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album in 2005. Their newest album, Don’t Mess with the Dragon, was released in April 2007.

Having well received performances at The South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas and at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, this summer will find OZO on the road promoting their new album with notable performances expected at The Wakarusa Festival, The Edmonton Folk Festival and Central Park’s Summerstage. On May 11th Southern Californian’s will have the opportunity to see the band perform in one of the most intimate venues in the area, The Glasshouse. Located in Pomona, approximately 25 miles east of Los Angeles, The Glasshouse is an all-ages, general admission venue with a capacity of only 800, and a long history of notable performances from bands: The White Stripes, Rage Against the Machine, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Beck, and many more. This venue is the perfect setting to see what will definitely be a powerful, dynamic and infectious performance by OZO. You can get tickets by visiting the Ticketmaster website.

ENCOMPASS staff and volunteers will be at The Glasshouse on May 11th to distribute our promotional materials to concert go-ers before and after the show.

Can you remember a time when you were not faced with product plugs on a daily basis? I sure can’t. For me, not an hour goes by when advertising is in my face. For Pete’s sake, I am currently drinking a cup pf coffee from our local, non-chain, coffee shop and although the cups are a plain, stark white, the cardboard sleeve features an ad for a credit card company. Great - another reminder that I need to pay off my debt.

Many years ago I was shocked by how huge companies were buying event venues and changing their name to the businesses name. Teens today probably don’t know that the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre was actually once called Irvine Meadows and Gibson Amphitheatre was Universal Amphitheatre.

Product placement is everywhere and whether it is about pushing soda, cars, phones, or guitars - companies are taking any opportunity than they can get to push their products(s). Non-profits and charities around the nation are following suit and I can see how a pitch could be made for programs as products.

Just yesterday I was at the gas station and watching the TV screen at my pump. Oh yes, while I pump fuel into my vehicle, I can get a weather update, hear a joke from Jay Leno, and catch a few advertisements. The commercial that caught my attention yesterday was for a national non-profit that works with abused children and their summer program for teenagers. I couldn’t help but think - whoa, how much did they pay to get that kind of advertising?

Now, non-profits, just like huge businesses and corporations, are being forced to follow advertising trends or else they will be left behind. The big question is: how do small organizations, like ENCOMPASS, engage in these trends without breaking the bank? Ultimately, it is up to ENCOMPASS to decide on a case by case scenario, whether any method of advertising will bring us exposure to the right audience - people who will want to participate in our programs, book our programs, or donate. And thinking that through, I doubt it is the average person at the gas station. Or, is it?

Let me know your thoughts. E-mail me at julianaserrano@encompass.org

Big news: Our first two 2007 Compassion Plays preview showcases went off without a hitch! If you missed them, double booked them, or just plain forgot them, don’t worry - you have one last chance to see this dynamic theater and discussion program live at the charming Fremont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena (Click here to map it).

On Monday, April 16 at 7pm, join us as we present Kick, an original ENCOMPASS production starring Delanna Studi! Click here for the full play synopsis. The pre- and post-show discussion will be facilitated by Steven Jones, CEO of Jones & Associates Consulting, Inc. and member of the ENCOMPASS Board of Directors.

If you are considering booking one of our plays, want to learn more about ENCOMPASS, or simply love showing your support for Compassion Plays, we hope you will join us to experience Kick. For more details on this free Compassion Plays showcase, check out the event flyer and share it with interested friends and colleagues.

This is the final showing for this round of preview performances, but don’t worry, we’ll definitely offer free Compassion Plays preview shows again in the future. Want to stay in the loop? Join our mailing list for the latest and greatest on ENCOMPASS happenings.