Week 1: Welcome to Burque!

What an amazing welcome to Albuquerque, NM and the Media Literacy Project.

The Media Literacy Project is a pretty comprehensive media justice organization that serves Albuquerque, NM and its region. It's a pretty exciting time for me to come in because MLP is looking to restructure itself and really define itself as a media justice organization. They're looking at how they want their internal structure to look, what kinds of campaigns they want to lead and how, who their base is, etc. They're also looking to "brand" themselves and "market" themselves as real experts on media policy and how it affects the local community. This is especially exciting for me because I get to do all the nerdy things I like to do: research, think and envision new framing. Yes!

This kind of language would normally turn me off, but the Executive Director and the staff are really aware of STRATEGY. The same questions they're really dishing out and I"m always thinking about are: how we can really sustain an organization given limited resources? how can we be an effective and legitimate influence over media policy without compromising our political intentions or the communities we represent? how can we learn to frame an issue in a creative way that doesn't recreate stereotypes and distorted representations of our community's realities?

On the same note, I'm really looking forward to getting involved in groups outside of MLP and the non-profit world. I don't want MLP to be the only work I do by the end of the year. I need some balance and I think getting involved in something outside of work would be just what I need.

Aside from thinking over these questions and getting settled into my new job, I got to attend and help out with a community event MLP hosted this week. The event could have been a little better, but like I mentioned MLP is learning to do things differently which is going to be a bit of a bumpy ride. Aside from some of the logistical challenges of the event, I got to meet a few amazing people and see how much political work is going on here in Albuquerque. I got invited to a celebration at the Zia Pueblo's reservation and to someone's home. It was such an honor! And I met a woman from Young Women United, a woman of color led organizing project. The woman I met was so sweet and kind. Everyone has been so warm and welcoming.

Even though my living/housing situation is a bit of stress, things feel really right. I'm excited to see how the rest of the year pans out.

Comment from Philip Dahl on August 9, 2010 - 1:25pm

wow this report is so positive! I feel like I should have ventured into these other positions, but probably wouldn't have got them since everyone who was chosen has exquisite talents for what they do. It sounds like you're fitting in comfortably as well as charged for the coming year. It's good that you are very clear of what you're doing and also who you are going to be helping out in the end. If your company is making a pool for logo designs, let me know. I would love to be a part of that.

I hope you're living situation pans out, it must be difficult finding the right place in an unfamiliar place.