BREAKING DOWN COMMUNITY [BONUS SERIES]
One week of breaking down Community was just not enough. After the finale of the series, I got a few more amazing post that I have to share – and when one of those are from the Mayor of RVA – well it just can’t wait. I’m truly honored that Mayor Jones heard about what was happening on The Cheats Movement Blog and was willing to add his voice to the project. #Amazing. Along with Mayor Jones, I so pleased to have Meg Medina, Kaity Kasper, Patience Salgado and Tiffany Jana in this bonus edition of breaking down the Meaning of Community. WE SEE IT
“…In good times, we celebrate together as a community and in tough times, we fight back together as a community.” Mayor Dwight Jones…CLICK HERE to read more from Mayor Jones
“When I think of “community” I think of addition vs. subtraction. Community means being willing to add something you value to the place where you live and work…” CLICK HERE to read more from Meg
“Community. It’s that group of people that rallies around you. That lifts you up. That shows up when you least expect it to lend support you didn’t now you needed…” CLICK HERE to read more from Kaity
“…I am a global thinker having worked, lived on, and traveled to 5 continents, I see the WORLD as a community…OUR community, ONE community. Anyone who fails to see the interconnectedness between ourselves and our brothers and sisters on the other side of the planet, or just down the street, is missing the point….” CLICK HERE to read more from Tiffany
“…Community is the defining moment when we hold and see that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, and we give ourselves over to it….” CLICK HERE to read more from Patience
This has been an amazing experience for me – Thank you all for participating and please keep following The Cheats Movement Blog on Facebook.
SERIES FINALE: BREAKING DOWN COMMUNITY & WHAT’S NEXT?
I will short because as wonderful as this week has been, it’s also been a task to make sure everything got done. I must say a thank you to everyone that took the time to participate in this project. Community is about all of us and the fact that so many Richmonders participated (over 45) is the best indicator that “collectively” we can make positive change in RVA.
As I mentioned yesterday, I’m not sure what is next…I’m not BUT I know that something “kinetic” and “tangible” will be barnstormed moving forward. Books are cool – speaking panels are cool too BUT I would love to do something with this conversation that leads to some type of community-wide service project. I don’t know what that looks like right now, if you have suggestions – hit me up. I’m completely open. This is our project.
The final counts seems to be 46 – if there is anyone that submitted before the deadline and didn’t get up – hit me up – I will add you. If you missed the deadline – next time my friend. #WESEEIT Make sure to follow The Cheats Movement on Facebook – Support what’s happening.
“Community is where you have a voice and feel heard even though you don’t always get your way…” Alex Iwashyna, LateEnough.com…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ALEX
“To me, community means a group of people coming together for love of a certain thing, whether it be music, arts, sports, family or even a small but common interest…” Andrew Cothern, RVA Playlist, Style Weekly…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ANDREW
“Participating in community, within our own city, and in greater communities around the world that live and breathe like ours, is the only way to truly bring change to an otherwise controlled path. It takes a community to look around and notice that the scales are tipped, that the noise is louder than the change and reject it all for the sake of community….” Jameson Price, Silent Music Revival, Lobo Marino…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JAMESON
“..Its means the collective effort to live in harmony. To enjoy the various differences of ethnic backgrounds and to encourage and help where we see difficulties for each other….” Lorna Pinckney, Everything Verses…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM LORNA
“I think community is the new family–family that you choose, with intention. It’s group of people working together, to build each other up and support each other for their higher purpose….” Peggy Myers Walz…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM PEGGY
“Think about it, what in RVA “hasn’t” influenced you? Whether the quirky styles of downtown or the high scale luxurious ways of Short Pump we all seem to mimic our area but come together in the heart of the city for VCU games, Concerts, and events that bring the city together so we all take part in participation…” Roger Tyler…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM RT
“Community is a concept that for me has centered mostly around “creative community” but I know for others it can define and spiral out in many directions. The common unity with us all is that it matters…” Todd Raviotta…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM TODD
“While the word itself literally means and derives from what we have in “common,” for me, the beauty of community is that it is a curated collection of a lot of cool differences. Each of us brings something unique. Different and differences need not be dirty words. Differences are rad…” Ted Elmore…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM TED
“Sometimes you wonder. Do people care? Do they share the same desires? Is this really a place where people want to come together? Involve yourself in the many volunteer needs around Richmond and you’ll see – Community is alive and well in Richmond!…” Vicki Neilson, A Giving Heart…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM VICKI
That’s it…#WESEEIT #THANKYOU
BREAKING DOWN COMMUNITY “YOUR COMMENTS” PART 6
The home stretch is here…tomorrow will be the last day of defining Community. I’ve already commented about how awesome this has been with such a wide range of diversity joining the conversation. In order to get the final post on the site I’m just going to post them as best as possible with no real rhyme or reason. People are already asking me about “next steps” and I have to be honest….I don’t have a great answer about “what’s next” just yet BUT something will be next and “Your” input is needed.
Today on the blog: Comments on Community by: Shannon Cleary, Fan Ran, BC Music 1st, Katie Holcomb, Brian Cannon, Keeley Laures, Malcolm Venable, and Isaac Ramsey.
“…Ultimately, community is more about unifying with each other to progress to the next level of success…” BC Music 1st…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM BCMUSIC1ST
“Our RVA community is blooming beautifully! The transformation is palpable. What’s exciting to me is that so many more people are taking part in this transformation than are usually a part of moving Richmond forward…” Brian Cannon…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM BRIAN
“Your community is made up of people you know and love and people you don’t. Either way you have to make sure you are doing what you can to better the lives of all of you” Fan Ran…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM FAN RAN
“…Getting to know the people around you isn’t easy for everyone. You might have to come out of your shell a bit, or shake some preconceived notions you have about others. But in Community with a big C, your participation is essential.” Isaac Ramsey…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM SWORDPLAY
“…There’s power in telling our fellow humans, “I’ve got your back,” because it makes you vulnerable, and it makes you just as much a part of their process as anything else.” Katie Holcomb…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM KATIE
“I feel that I never really understood community until I moved to Richmond. While in Richmond, I found that no matter what there is always someone willing to help me get to where I need to go to better myself and my visions as an individual, a designer, a blogger, a person….” Keeley Laures…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM KEELEY
“…Is a sort of puzzling notion because, Where exactly is this ‘community’ we live in? And, given that every individual is free to pursue in education or financial opportunity for himself, how responsible am I for someone else’s success?” Malcolm Venable…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM MALCOLM
“…To me, the idea of any community is to consider the social contract at hand. It’s all about what you put in and what you take from it all.” Shannon Cleary…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM SHANNON
Tomorrow is the final day…Check back – comment – post – tweet – let me know what you think. #WESEEIT
BREAKING DOWN COMMUNITY “YOUR COMMENTS” PART 5
Photo by Patience SalgadoI’m starting to say this just about every hour now but I’m so heartened and excited about what is happening with this project. I often start projects because I’m interested in the outcome or because I think they are fun. I’m often surprised by what RVA embraces — and I’m not just talking about this project. I’m surprised by the music, art, and culture that RVA embraces…and it’s not what you think. I’m often pleasantly surprised. RVA has a tough reputation when it come to embracing its own — and I must say – it’s pretty well deserved BUT I truly believe that the ice is breaking. It’s breaking in music, art, and culture. It’s breaking in Community. What does that mean? Where do we go from here? I honestly can’t say for sure – but I’ve live in RVA my entire life and I can feel something different happening – I can feel people wanting to talk to each other and teach each other and share with each other – and this project is fueled by that energy. People want to be around each other – and that is very exciting. Joining the project today are: Ben Margolis, MaReesa Dawn, Madeline Roberts, Matt Newman, Kristel Poole, Rob Roby and Mikemetic.
“To me community is selflessness. It requires an understanding of those around you and a communal attitude toward a better cause…” Rob Roby…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ROB
“…This is because the concept of community is not absolute. Community, as with many things in life and beyond, is what you make it. The key is to operate under a unified umbrella of “community” that reflects not only the diverse demographics of the larger effected populous but a holistic benevolence that should be the underlying rudiment of any communal claims made by any group, gathering or organization…” -Mike “Mikemetic” Williams…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM MIKEMETIC
“Community to me, means the common good. People sharing resources fairly and with consideration of the common good makes for community…” Madeline Roberts…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM MADELINE
“Community – different folk.. different ideals.. different skills = like minds.. like passions.. like goals.. working together for larger impact.” -MaReesa Dawn…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM MAREESA
“Community is the essence of humanity. It’s the coming together for the common benefit of the group that has allowed our species to be as productive as we’ve been…” Ben Margolis…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM BEN
“For me, community is about saying “I care about you, I support you, and I want to see you do well.” The more you can say that, the broader your community.” Matt Newman…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM MATT
“…I think that community and the idea of where you feel at home are concepts that either hit you like a brick or they take a while to grow within you; I don’t believe that one is better than the other. I feel at home in Southern California, where I was born. I feel community when I am in Hawaii….” Kristel Poole…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM KRISTEL
While I have to put an end to submission. I will continue to post every post I have received. To everyone that participated – Thank you. The first thank you of many RVA. #WESEEIT
BREAKING DOWN COMMUNITY “YOUR COMMENTS” PART 4
Are you getting tired yet? I’m not. I think it’s clear that there is no magic bullet – no one right way to define community. However, it is amazing to read how others view community in RVA and see how it applies to my life. I’ve already been challenged, surprised, an even moved by the words people are writing. Today is no different with post from: Del. Jennifer McClellan, Robb Moore, Rasheeda Matthews, Pamela Howard, Tony Harris, and my dude Black Liquid. Take it all in – and see how their words apply to your life. Do they inspire you? Do they move you to act? Time will tell…but you hold the answer.
“In the root of the word community is the gift of being together. For me, community is also a path to helping people heal.” Pamela Howard….CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM PAMELA
“A community isn’t just a bunch of people doing the same thing, bound by the land they inhabit, by the burdens they bare, its ownership. The feeling of being part of something that cannot be seen, but can be felt. Its a responsibility.” Black Liquid…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM BLACK LIQ
“…Today, these are the questions that this new version of our community has propagated and leads to the heart of what your question means to me – how can I help you? Because in the end, helping the local business or artist or musician helps everyone and that is the true backbone and definition of a sustained community.” R Antony Harris…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM TONY
“…When we invest in our community, we invest in others an in this world. That is the fabric of life, and the fabric of a great society, and if that’s the rent I must pay on this earth, I will gladly do so.” Rasheeda N. Matthews…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM RASHEEDA
“Community, like family, is one of those words that one the surface pops with the positive associations we know we should feel about it, but that in a postmodern and urban reality drips also with the clinging of demands that lead many of us to spend lots of energy holding it at arm’s length.” Robb Moore…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ROBB
“Community is your extended family as it provides support, fellowship, and a safe place to turn to in a time of need.” Jennifer McClellan…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JENNIFER (Not actually “more” but there is a photo).
This is your discussion – our discussion. Share, comment, Facebook, and tweet what’s happening out. There is still time – yes, still time to have your voice heard about Community, so I ask, “What does Community mean to you?”
BREAKING DOWN COMMUNITY “YOUR COMMENTS” PART 3
Photo by Patience Salgado
It’s Wednesday and I must say — I love this series. Yes, it’s personal to me but I’m so heartened by the response of RVA. Today is no different, we have a Henrico School Board member, right beside a long time RVA hip hop artist, right beside a community activist and super hero (yes you Manifest). Really think about the RVA as a whole – it’s great that this energy can match other actions happening in the city and region. Community…it’s a powerful tool if used right. Let’s take a moment to think about what it means – and share it. Like all of the post from this week the are all posted on their own page. Hover over the “Meaning of Community” tab at the top of the screen to see the drop box for everyone. Also, you can check the Cheats Movement Facebook as I will start loading every post on there as well. It’s still not too late to join this project….Email or message me on Facebook. And wit no further delays – YOUR COMMENTS:
“Community engagement requires individuals to assess the needs of the community at large and take appropriate action that provides opportunities to impact the quality of life afforded to others.” Lamont Bagby…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM LAMONT
“…In Richmond, we celebrate the James, we celebrate an incredibly rich vernacular architecture, we celebrate the train culture, skate culture, urban culture, high art, public murals, performing arts, niche restaurants and the incomparable food culture that follows. As we each experience these objects and spaces, we develop commonalities that draw us together from within. We embrace those things for their singular influence on us within the context of our community and this can shape our ideas for good.” Nelly Kate…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM NELLY
“Defining community is really simple and can be defined by asking how wide is your we? Who is included in your us?” Duron Chavis AKA Brother Manifest….CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM MANIFEST
“The love we spread to one another is what builds community. Its more than just the people or places that may comprise a neighborhood, or city, or state. Communities begin in the heart; it is built with the mutual love and respect we show to each other.” The Honorable Sleaze…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM SLEAZE
“To me community can mean many things, but at its core community means unique people working together for the common good. Is a project bringing people together in a positive or transformative way? If yes – that’s the embodiment of community.” Missy Neff Gould…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM MISSY
“I think of community as a place where people feel connected, respected, and valued. It is a place where people can be their full selves without fear of judgment….” Jonathan Zur…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JON
That’s all for today. Make sure that you share, Facebook, Tweet, and comment. Let people know what’s happening around RVA and on this blog. Community affects us all. Let your voice be heard.
BREAKING DOWN COMMUNITY – “YOUR COMMENTS” PART 2
Photo by Cheats
Please make sure that you view all of the post for Community Week – go to the main menu (at the top of this screen) and hover over Meaning of Community tab. Every post has its own page — check it and share. Today is part 2 of Community Week on The Cheats Movement Blog and it is indeed a special day. The fact that this blog has the likes of Jim Ukrop posting on Community is big enough but posting Jim Ukrop along side a Maat Free or Ross Catrow or Taekia Glass is what this week (and this blog) is all about. #WESEEIT #COMMUNITY
“…for me, an ideal community is one where everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status, cares about one another and looks out for one another – a feeling that, ‘if the community does well, I will do well.’ – Jim Ukrop…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JIM
“…If you remember nothing else about ‘community’ remember that the origin of the word community comes from the latin word communitas; cum, “with/together” + munus, “gift”. Together we are a greater gift to ourselves and this world than individually.” Taekia Glass…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM TAEKIA
“…I believe community is a group of people with the desire to expose one another to what we feel most passionate about in life and remain open enough to see how these experiences will shape our world view. It is in the act of communicating that we have found a community.” Maat Free…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM MAAT
“I think a community is a collection of ideas. Big ideas, small ideas, creative ideas, pragmatic ideas, etc.” Beau Cribbs…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE BEAU
“For me, the people I exchange ideas with are my community.” Ross Catrow…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ROSS
Make sure to comment, share, post, tweet, etc. I will be posting all week. And it’s not to late to add your voice to this project, email or message me to be a part.
BREAKING DOWN COMMUNITY – “YOUR COMMENTS” PART 1
I’m going to post “your” comments about Community every day at 9 AM. The response has been amazing! I’m so moved that all of you have pick up this challenge and weighed-in. Please continue to do so. It’s not to late to get your voice heard. For the first installment…Please read the meaningful words of: Clovia Lawrence, Kate Hall, Victoria Carll, and Felix Sarfo-Kantanka. You can read every Community post, unedited, under the Community tab at the main menu of the blog. Please read, comment and share.
“Community” means a passion for the people. People are a very important piece to making or breaking a community.
We must commune together for greatness. Our lives depend on strong “community”. – from Clovia Lawrence CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM CLOVIA…
“…It means that parents from every walk, ethnicity and demographic in this city can come together through our blog to help a homeless mother, a family who has lost their home in a fire and a child suffering from cancer.” -from Kate Hall CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM KATE…
“…A community reaches beyond the circle of people that you know, that you socialize with, that you work with, that you hang with. Your community is a myriad of concentric circles of important, prioritized issues kept and held by each individual. The passion held in the hearts of those within my community, the work within the actions of my community, the intentions within the minds of my community and the goodness that comes from the hands of my community, reach out, reach back and hold us, change us, transform us and are the revolution within which I stand.” -from Victoria Carll CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM VICTORIA…
“…Community means being there for your family, friends and loved ones. You create a community through relationships, goodwill and respect towards others.” -from Felix Sarfo-Kantanka...CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM FELIX…
Read the post today and check back for more tomorrow….#RVACommunity
BREAKING DOWN “COMMUNITY” – A CONVERSATION FOR ALL OF RVA
I’m very excited about this week’s project. I have reached out to the entire Cheats Movement Family and even some first time Cheats Movement readers to help break down the meaning of “Community.” The exact question offered was: “What does Community mean to you?” I asked this question because “Community” has been a hot topic in Richmond this early part of 2013. There have been several public discussions about Community, some “side” discussions” and dare I say even some “underground discussions,” from all walks of RVA, regarding how we can improve RVA’s Community.
What I’ve found, and what really inspired me to reach out to the Cheats Movement Family, is that though these conversations are taking place - they seem to be taking place amongst interest groups that appear to be motivated to serve their own interests and present it as Community. I don’t mean that to be a criticism, it’s just my observation.
The Virginia General Assembly will have a discussion, or host a forum, about Community and the only people that would attend are Delegates, Senators, and lobbyist. TEDx, one of my favorite subjects of late, will host an event or talk about bringing the TEDx energy to RVA and how great it is for our Community. And I think events like the upcoming TEDx is a great happening that RVA should support but I (and along with others) have questioned, is the event just for the innovative business community or does it represent a larger cut of RVA? On a more personal note, I was a part of a wonderful group of community activist a few weeks ago, sort of an anti-establishment – DIY – group, we had a very enlightening discussion about Community. But as I looked around that room, it was clear that the room lacked the financial capital, business and political influence to really claim that our group was a real representation of all of RVA.
The main reason why I love Richmond so much is because of its diversity. There is no silver bullet that can put RVA in a box. Nor, is there a way that you can really have an all-inclusive conversation on a topic like Community without leaving key elements behind. But knowing that, I can go one of two ways, I could say the challenge is too large and sit it out or I can play my part and join the conversations that I see taking place around Richmond. That is why I have decided to use this week on The Cheats Movement Blog to do my part and help put more momentum behind the conversations about Community that are already taking place.
I strongly believe that in order to move forward on advancing issues like “Community Improvement” there has to be a baseline understanding of the definition and how it applies in people’s lives. This week will by my attempt – the attempt of The Cheats Movement Family – to present a diverse understanding of RVA’s community and how we can use these answers to kick-start some real action.
Everyone should be encouraged to be involved in discussions about their Community. Community affects everyone. I am very pleased with the Richmonders (Family Members) that have lent their voice to this conversation. The range of responses that I have received is more diverse than I’ve ever seen in one place about Richmond’s Community (thanks social media).
I have invited all – with no limits - to participate in this conversation, and the offers still stands all week. I encourage everyone to comment – share – tweet – Facebook – post – do whatever to move this conversation forward. I believe we are all in this together and the more we know about each other, the further we can go to make RVA’s Community stronger. #WESEEIT
Photo by Nick Mastro from the Cheats Movement Epic Dinner Party 2012
The Cheats Movement
