Black Sheep Books

Continuing the theme of Banished! for the Sunday Salon, this week will introduce a discussion on changes in the regulation and privatization of public space, the criminalization of the use of such spaces, and its implications for public and political culture.

Again, glance through what piques your interest (particularly the last link on the page!) Look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Sidewalk sitting ban legislation:

San Francisco -

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/nov/05/local/la-me-sidewalkban-20101105

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/cityinsider/detail?entry_id=65328

http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-03-28/bay-area/20447391_1_sidewalk-san-francisco-si

Reno -

http://www.rgj.com/article/20101116/NEWS/101116044/Sidewalk-ban-could-lead-to-relocation-of-some-homeless-on-Reno-s-Record-Street

Burlington -

http://www.7dvt.com/2010get-stand-burlington-wants-make-sidewalk-sitting-crime

http://7d.blogs.com/blurt/2010/06/sidewalk-sitting-ban-nixed-in-burlington-for-now.html

Public/private debate:

Video regarding Toronto public transit -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xAmnmehAy3w#!

Parks -

http://www.cityhallnews.com/newyork/article-559-public-officials-grapple-over-citys-approach-to-public-private-partnerships.html

A short, interesting thesis paper (particularly the discussion on Mall of America!):

http://www.translucency.com/frede/pps.html

Finally, THE MUST READ:

http://popupcity.net/2010/06/pay-sit-privatized-benches-in-public-space/

Saturday, December 11th – 6:30pm

Vermont Filmmaker Meredith Holch will host her 14 minute animated film, Neighbors, a colorful, and captivating frame-by-frame animation that was inspired by the invisible wall of fear that prevents undocumented Vermont dairy farm workers from going to the grocery store, the doctor, or simply outside for a walk. Drawing on experiences with migrant workers in her own neighborhood, the filmmaker illustrates in a compellingly visual way, the freedom which migrant workers give up in order to earn a living milking cows in Vermont.

Neighbors won the James Goldstone Vermont Film Commission Award in 2009.

The second film short, Roots of Migration - by Mikel Barton, explores why millions of Latin Americans make the unlikely decision to leave their communities and risk their lives trekking to a country with notoriously anti-immigrant laws. Roots of Migration, shot in Oaxaca, Mexico offers first hand conversation with those most knowledgeable about immigration’s root causes-immigrants themselves. Shot entirely on location in Oaxaca, Mexico during a fact-finding trip organized by Witness for Peace co-founder, Gail Phares.

Ms. Holch is actively engaged with migrant farm workers in her own neighborhood of rural Northeastern Vermont and will lead a discussion after both films.

Wednesday, 1st and Sunday, 5th

Black Sheep Books announces the first in a series of “Sunday Salons” to promote discussion of radical theory and action on global-local issues. Each “Sunday Salon,” held on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, will encourage participatory dialogue on a theme in an open and mutual learning environment. Respectful debate and diversity of opinion is encouraged. Event organizers suggest that participants attend a topical film on the preceding Wednesday and read a short-list of relevant essays or news stories prior to the Salon, but all are welcome!

To receive Salon announcements and information (as well as all other event listings), please sign-up to the BSB newsletter on the right.

Black Sheep Books Salon Series: Banished!
For centuries, the marginalization of people has occurred in times of insecurity – economically, politically, geographically, and culturally. Join us at Black Sheep Books as we discuss the implications of ostracization and how power contributes to social instability and disenfranchisement as a means of social control for “normalized” populations. The Sunday Salon will also examine those who experience the injustice of banishment every day locally, nationally, and internationally.

Salon Series: Banished! – Home and Country:

• Wednesday, December 1, 2010, 6:30 – 9 PM: Film-showing – “Time of the Gypsies,” 1988, 142 mins. – explores issues of Gypsy / Roma population in Yugoslavian-France, youth, crime, and the clash of culture. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_of_the_Gypsies
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• Sunday, December 5, 2010, 3 – 5 PM: a participatory discussion about homelessness, squatting, deportation, and military/corporate demolition of homes and communities.

All events are free and open to the public. Donations accepted for Black Sheep Books and Home Share Now of Central Vermont, www.homesharecvt.org.

Black Sheep also recommends The Salmagundi Series, which is presenting their newest theatre piece, “Banished No More” at Parima on Saturday, December 11th. Door opens at 8, show starts at 8:30. $10 (suggested donation). For more info, visit the link: http://www.parimathai.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=356&Itemid=1