| She who wears many hats: graduate student, columnist, and citizen. That was me at the Ad Hoc Commission to Study the Problem of Alcohol and Related Behavior in City Parks meeting on October 3 at the Catholic Multicultural Center on Madison's South side. It began as a project for my Public Anthropology class. We were to go to a public meeting (preferably a government meeting) and watch how the fabric of society is constructed. We were to consider how the meeting was set up: the venue, the seating, the committee members, and the audience. Extra points were given for those who spoke aloud in an authoritative manner and recorded it. This was my first foray into the Anthropology department and I was trying on new shoes . . . or a new hat, to stick with the previous metaphor. I scoured the web looking for something that would interest me and that's when I found this meeting. After all, I am a south side resident who lives near Penn Park and enjoys a good cocktail now and again. It sounded interesting and easy enough. I took out my reporter's notebook -- something I haven't used since my days at the Minnesota Spokesman Recorder and the Augsburg College Echo -- and headed out the door. Everything was clear to me when I left, my purpose in all of this, or so I thought. Once I got there, the lines began to blur. The study had begun when people in the Vilas neighborhood started to complain about certain tailgating behavior. To be clear, the problem was the behavior that comes as a result of over-consumption of alcohol. And alcohol consumption just happens to be part of the tailgating experience. There was a panel of invited guests who were asked to join the conversation. Among them was Susan Crowley, one of the few people I recognized on sight. The man who chaired the meeting, Emmanuel Scarborough, immediately greeted me. He asked me if I wanted to register to speak to register my opinion on whether alcohol should be banned in public parks. The confusion began to fall upon me. I did want to speak for extra points and perhaps maybe I did have something to say on the matter as a citizen as well. But what were the arguments and upon which would I give my support or my criticism? My grad-student mind had taken over. I am not sure if I want to speak yet. Can I wait and see? I sat down and flipped open my notebook and tried to look busy. A young woman from the Wisconsin State Journal sat next to me and flipped open her laptop. She too had a reporter-style notebook, two of them in fact. Then a camera guy from News Channel 27 walked in and set up. A police officer in uniform also joined the mix, along with other city residents and presumably official figures. The Wisconsin State Journal reporter and I quickly scribbled notes as Jim Morgan explained the proper uses of alcohol: brunching alumni, picnicking professionals, and some tailgating. Improper use of alcohol can apparently lead to loud car music, littering, bad language, and inappropriate handling of dogs. But we were reminded throughout the meeting that the subject at hand was not cultural behavior but public drunkenness. Crowley and another guy explained their stance. They didn't want communities to rely on enforcement alone but to set community standards themselves through programs residents design. The Vilas Neighborhood Association Representative was not too keen on that idea, which to her sounded like "handle it yourself." My concentration lapsed when a young girl came in to ask her dad if he had the Taco Bell sauce in his bag. The WSJ reporter volleyed from notebook to notebook and occasionally went outside to check facts; at least that was what I imagined her to be doing. A young girl whispered loudly to her mother that it was her turn to speak. I wondered if I was even reporting anymore. And what was I observing? When would I give my opinion? Where exactly was Vilas Park? Had I even been there? I had completely lost my focus. When I went back to my class, the account of the meeting was sporadic and comical (probably in a more pitiful way than I interpreted). The assignment failed and I dropped the class. Anthropology is not my field anyway. But if you are interested, the Ad Hoc Commission to Study the Problem of Alcohol and Related Behavior in City Parks is having another meeting at Warner Park on October 24 at 6:30 p.m. If you have an opinion on the banning of alcohol in public parks or want to lend your voice to the study, Madison residents are encouraged to attend. Why are there so many homeless and what is needed to end homelessness? There needs to be both systemic and attitudinal changes in place to end homelessness. These strategies should include access to affordable and stable housing, livable wages, and partnerships between the public, private and non-profit organizations as well as a commitment from community members. The primary reason for homelessness seems to be economic -- poverty. If we are to seriously address homelessness, we must provide housing stability -- which means having a supply of affordable housing. Our families, including our children, are becoming homeless at an alarming rate and we can not negate the impact domestic violence has had on this problem as well. Nationwide, well over 3.5 million people will experience homelessness, and family homelessness in the U.S. is higher than any industrialized nation in the world. Approximately 1.7 million youth per year will experience being homeless, placing these young people at risk for physical and sexual abuse and assault. It is further estimated that of those 1.7 million homeless youth, 5,000 will die as a result of the violence they are exposed to and are further at risk of numerous mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress. The U.S. Dept. of Veterans estimates that approximately 200,000 of our countriy's homeless are veterans. In addition, chronic homelessness is usually accompanied by a disability. What is needed to address this national issue is permanent housing, employable skills, and allies/advocates. There are many ways to help, first by getting informed and then getting involved. |
| Campus-Community Connection |
| Government-meeting freak out By Keme Hawkins |
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| Homelessness by Pamela Pfeffer |
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