December 2, 2011
I participated in a training through TASI (The After School Institute) at the end of November. One of the activities we did during the training was to write the story of a youth based on a picture on the wall. In groups we had to create an identity, give them names, hobbies, jobs, educations, friends, etc. We pretty much had to make judgements about who they were in 2 minutes based on the single photograph. I really enjoyed the activity, it definitely addressed some stereotypes that the group had, but was also a really nice writing assignment. I was able to imagine some fantastic lives for some of these people.
The activity gave me an idea for an art project. I want to post a photo of myself online and have people write their impressions about who I am in 2 minutes. All of the responses will be posted with the photograph. I think if I can gather a bunch it will be really interesting. And then open it up to other people to post their photos and have people comment on them. I am not sure I have the web design skills to make the webpage exactly how I want it, but I think it would be a really amazing view of the way we present ourselves to the world, people's perceptions and differing perspectives. I will let you know when and where I post the photo.
Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Art
November 28, 2011
While visiting my family this weekend for Thanksgiving, we went to see the new Muppet movie. I hadn't realized that there was a new Muppet movie coming out until just a couple of weeks ago. I was really excited when I found out about it and even more excited that I got to see it with my entire family. I love my family and I love the Muppets so somehow it seemed right.
My family had mixed reactions to the movie. My dad thought it should have been better, he had secretly been hoping that it woul...
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Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Entertainment
November 20, 2011
"We exist in a fabric of personal stories."
"Who will tell about it?"These two lines are written in the preface to Spaulding Gray's Sex and Death to the Age 14. I read much Spaulding Gray in high school and college, watched most, if not all of his movies and even had the privilege of seeing him perform live - once in my hometown at the Summer Arts in the Park program and once at Lincoln Center. He is an amazing monologuist and performer and I have a great amount of respect for him and his work... Continue reading...
Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Creativity
November 17, 2011
When working with youth, the conversation often comes up about how to address difference. Whether this be race, gender, class or some other physical or identity issue it is always interesting to consider the moment that someone unknown becomes more than just their appearance and becomes a whole person. Working in African American communities, I am often identified as white, which I am. I have had students say the word white in front of me and then apologize for using the term. I always ask th...
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Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Communication
November 4, 2011
I was thinking as I ate my breakfast one morning how direct and clear messages on packaging are. This crossed my mind as I looked at my container of salt. On the container it said, "Made By Nature...Packaged By Morton." I wondered about this. I know salt does come from nature and the statement did make me imagine an idyllic image of someone collecting water from the sea, letting it evaporate and then putting the salt in a container to use in their dining room table. I am pretty sure that the ...
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Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Communication
October 4, 2011
It is so funny how we must balance our lives by setting boundaries about what we want, but also being flexible for the right person, place or circumstance. I think of this today as I look for apartments because I was e-mailed by a landlord about a house who in her ad said NO PETS. I replied and told her I had a dog so it was probably not the right match, but she said for the right person and the right dog she would make an exception. It leaves me wondering what makes the "right" person.
I thin... Continue reading...
Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Responsibility
October 2, 2011
I cannot help but continue to think about video games, the skills one gains while playing them and whether these skills have real life application. I am considering this because I have been playing games, I have been finishing games and I do feel while playing that I am learning something, gaining a new skills and able to reflect on my place in the world, but when I stop I often find myself confused by how all of this knowledge relates to the rest of my life.
In this post, I want to focus spec...
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Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Video Games
September 30, 2011
"Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!" -Dr. SuessToday in my after school program at the Creative Alliance we read Dr. Suess'
Oh the Places You'll Go! I told my students I picked this book because I am moving. They looked shocked and said, "Where!". I realized they were worried even though I have only known them 3 days and I said, "Don't worry, just across town." It was funny though, I did want to read the book because I felt that even moving c...
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Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Personal Experience
September 27, 2011
It occurred to me last week that change is about questions. Transformation of ourselves and the world will only occur through a challenging of the way we are and a consideration of what is possible. At the moment in my life that I began to see that the world should and could be different, I started asking myself questions like: "To change everything where do we begin?" and "What can one do?". I created signs and banners with these questions on them (see
http://www.sarahbmccann.com/signs-and-b... Continue reading...
Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Communication
September 22, 2011
On Sunday I returned from vacation. I had never been to Southern California before this trip and it was beautiful. I enjoyed the sun, the beach, all the friends that I saw there and the new people that I met. Part of me felt I could have spent another week on the beach, but I knew that it was time to come home.
The day after I returned to Baltimore I began a training at the Family League. I am working with the Creative Alliance this year facilitating an after school art club as part of their O... Continue reading...
Posted by Sarah McCann. Posted In : Personal Experience
