I’ve done some “interesting” things on overcast Saturdays, but I can’t say I’ve ever had plans to attend a birthday party, preceded by a protest at the United Nations. I must confess that I am a complete virgin when it comes to the art of protesting, preferring to confine my political leanings to writing or the occasional rant to the local drunk at whatever pub I happen to be visiting (for a glass of milk of course). This will mark my first foray into public protest, although the chances of water cannons and tear gas at this particular rally are quite remote.
Today I’m more of a witness than an actual participant in the goings on. To keep consulting from taking up too much of my brain, I’m involved with a non-profit organization I helped found several years ago. Our latest project is to begin capturing a “people’s history,” where we interview regular folks, and create a searchable library of these interviews. Rather than presenting a documentary, where the author has a defined objective and bias, we’re trying to present the raw first-person perspectives on historical events, to allow the reader to make their own conclusions.
We’re in the process of building the first prototype, and need some content for the “library” that would prove interesting to potential volunteers and donors. We originally were targeting the “greatest generation,” yet to our surprise much of the 70+ crowd is very camera shy! One of the cofounders of this organization is also involved with civil society in Zimbabwe, and is gathering Zimbabweans from all over to make their views known at the UN summit this weekend. I confess a fair amount of ignorance when it comes to Zimbabwean politics, but it should present a perfect opportunity to gather the stories of folks who don’t often get a chance to have their views heard.
I’ll post some pictures following the event, and some updates about our project in the near future. Until then, protest away!