Safe. That is the single word that comes to mind when I think of the Norris Gardens in North Philly. Yes, I saw the needles and I understand the violence that happens around the lots, but I also saw the potential. I think we all did. This is the reason we have classes like "Changing Our Story;" it is out of necessity. We must learn about true positive change and be exposed to the power we all have to make in the world. It was obvious, while not as openly discussed, the inequities that forced the six Puerto Rican women to attempt to create a home for the neighborhood. It was rundown but it was there. As a place of refugee and I think that is admirable. As mother Theresa said,"I don't do great things. I do small things with great love," and that what these women did.

Yesterday's visit to the Norris Square gardens was a powerful way to connect what we've read about and discussed in class, especially regrading the connections between our identities and enviroments, to the real world. I think one of the great challenges of academia is shifting the focus from the theories and readings of the classroom to the real people and places they concern. This field trip bridged that gap, allowing us to see the ways that people dealt with our questions about environment and identity in their own lives and in their own ways. The gardens functioned as a visible representation of invisible identities and places far away from this North Philadelphia neighborhood.

Visiting Norris square gardens made for a pleasent afternoon. The murals and and houses were interesting and the interns were charming guides. I liked the original vision of the gardens as a space where women could stay connected to their culture by working in the garden like they'd done in Puerto Rico. It seems that the gardens have done a good job keeping this initial intent in mind as they give free access to community members who reach out to them. I thought the intern's comment about the gardens bringing home how many problems there are with our relationship to the environment was interesting. The gardens did a good job having culture present, such as with the houses and the plants from Puerto Rico, without overwhelming its function as a garden.

I chose Taft Garden to meet in because I was looking for a contained area that was still influenced by nature. The garden answered nicely to my expectations for a pleasently attractive setting while also limiting distractions. On the downside, the sun was a problem and our discussion was interrupted several times as we moved the benches into the shade. However, I felt like it went well overall. I was particularly pleased with the serenity of the garden which I found inspiring for thoughtful conversation. I was unaware of the history of the tiles and M Carrie Thomas, but in retrospect their subtle presence was an appropriate backdrop for exploring a novel dealing with the legacy of those absent.

I enjoyed the time we spent at Norris Square yesterday. The interns were so resourceful and despite the cold weather, I got to learn much from them. I was fascinated by the last garden we visited. The huts and Puerto Rico’s way of life greatly resembled my culture. Also, the quote from one of the gardens, “There isn’t a problem in this earth that a garden cannot make better” couldn't be said any better.

The gardens that we visited were unique in that they held culture that I had never seen before. It was very apparent that the gardens were a contact zone. An amazing mixture of cultures from North Philly to Africa. I found it to be so inspiring that teens wanted to learn more about their own culture and also farm natural produce for their community at the same time. I found it really brave what the mentors were doing to help their community and give back. I also loved the scenery. While the neighborhood did not look at its best, I thought it had a certain charm, all of the houses being connected and the faded coloring. The murals and the architecture in the gardens was so beautiful and it was so interesting to see what they were working on.

 while reading "book of salt" i've been thinking a lot about Fanon and his ideas about what it means for "the native" to speak the language of the colonizer.... in this case the ppl of Martinique speaking French.. there's a LOT here to think about... I really hope we come back to language.