Kidz City!

Transgender Day of Remembrance

2011-11-21T08:21:00.000-08:00

As many of you observed Transgender Day of Remembrance yesterday, you may have noticed that among those who were mourned was a child.

Ashlynn Conner, a 10 year-old from Ridge Farm, Illinios, took her own life on Friday, November 11th. Ashlynn had been experiencing teasing and bullying for two years, being called "pretty boy" (after cutting her hair short), "slut," "ugly," and "fat." When she went to teachers for help, they told her stop tattling.

This is scary, disturbing, angering, saddening, and much more. Let us not forget that gender-violence and harassment affects children deeply.

I am at a loss of words of wisdom or comfort. I am hoping that by reminding those of us who work and play with children to remain caring and compassionate, that a little bit of the culture that supports harassment, bullying and violence will be weakened.

In solidarity.

China's report back on Fair Childcare Now! children's programming

2011-10-31T10:15:00.001-07:00

Well it's over - and I really want to say something about how it all went. It went great! So many people worked together for this! There were new-ish volunteers from past actions that now were part of the organizing team, and that was so cool. There were really wonderful youth (about 7 or so - mostly around 12 and three 3 year olds). There were neat people who dropped in and played. There were lots of volunteers* and games and discussions. There was rides and packing up and packing down and little bags of carrots and tomatoes. and juice boxes. and hide the juice boxes, lets just stick with water. And strawberries!

There was duck duck goose, thumbs up, musical chairs, fast games, slow games. There was rain and snow. There was the buddy system. There was all these intricacies of interactions that I would love to be able to write about, I would write and write and It would take days and someone would need to edit it and cut out about at least one third to half of my words; and run spell check. But that wouldn't happen, probably.

You see I always want to write reflections from when the event is over - but I usually never do. So much preparation goes into making an event happen, and when it's over you often feel happy, satisfied, relieved, tired, and ready for the next things you need to do. So you don't write your reportback. Cuz it all feels so BIG. where to start? What to say?

So I just wanted to start a new pattern. A new personal goal. That every time an event is done I will post just a little something about it. Even if its not perfect. (Thats a lesson for me lately too, to do things, although they are un-perfect)

As the bottom liner on this, I wish I started organizing (a month or two) earlier, and this is a rule I KNOW, but all I can say, is remember that for next time. I know this stuff really well, but I still wound up doing a lot of stuff the day before (as well as the week before) and waking up to finish packing and not getting enough sleep so I was sleepy and out of it at the end of the day. But it was ok because we had everything planned and responsibility divided and I just walked away and didn't worry about it. (my shift was past done, and they have my cell phone, I'm just in the next building)

I drank coffee and ate a brownie. And held babies. Which is great, more for me, I think. Holding babies is good for you.

I remember when I was taking a break, hearing this facilitator (on a workshop on facilitation, or group dynamics, or something) talking about that these skills - we need to learn them. We need to learn how to work in groups, there are some good tools with that. And if we learned this stuff when we were young, how useful that would be. And I thought: thats like Kidz City!

I think we are all learning how to work together, sharing different aproaches with each other. Making that space for that to happen in. And the best way to learn these skills, is just like how we were all playing those games together --- is hands on. Its much better hands on then anything I can write here. I love having an actual space to build together, our kidz city, for a day or two. Childcare and children are part of the United Workers, its not like childcare isn't something that should be an integrated part of the whole - just its great to build a space, with intentions and priorities, for youth like Kidz City too. I really see us all learning stuff, together, every time we get together. Trying to build a new model, trying this experiment and work in progress called radical childcare. I like it!

But also part of that, is the reflection afterwords. To discuss and learn for next time. So I am going to put writing report backs on my final list of things to do when planning an action, just like thanking the volunteers and organizers and asking for anyone's feedback - good or places where we have room for improvement to learn for next time- and maybe one day it will feel normal and not stretching too much to do that, just like how it now is for us to plan for food.

So, it went good!

A lot of folks helped!

Thank you,

China

*three volunteers on each (two hour) shift, plus one kidz city organizer doing three hour bottom lining shifts, plus some folks doing more than one shift = 13 total volunteers. There was a good amount of volunteers - I think thats really important. Keep a high ratio. You never know how many kids will show up (we had a 5-15 estimate). Organizations stress pre-registration, and it would help us prepare a lot, but many participants do not register ahead.

What is Fair Childcare?

2011-10-31T09:02:00.000-07:00

Fair childcare is respect and care for every child and every caregiver

Fair childcare respects mothers and doesn't separate them from their children through forces such as economics and borders

Fair childcare is divided across all sectors in a more equitable fashion

Fair childcare means all children to have the physical and emotional requirements they need to grow and blossom

Fair childcare supports caregivers and children's leadership & dignity

Fair childcare is respect for individual differences and culture

Fair childcare value's the work of growing bodies, hearts and spirits

Fair childcare is concrete support for all families

Fair childcare is community solidarity

Fair childcare centers those on the margins in this unjust system

Fair childcare is beauty and self expression, even when that self expression isn't so beautiful

Fair childcare is affordable, free, sliding scale, collective

Fair childcare is wonderful and necessary

Fair childcare is healthy

Fair childcare is equal

Fair childcare is putting your resources where your mouth is!

What does "Fair Childcare" mean to you?

original flyer and spanish translation here:

http://issuu.com/chinabodina/docs/pg_2_fairchildcare-4

This project was inspired by the "What is Fair Development ?" photo booth project (check out the photo set - lots of youth and kidz city volunteers mixed in!)

Fair Childcare Now! - Children's Programing at the Fair Development Conference Oct. 29

2011-10-09T06:35:00.000-07:00

Hello! Kidz City is preparing for the children's programming for the Fair Development Conference (in Baltimore) at the end of the month. WE NEED LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS! Volunteer for a two-hour shift! Let me know if you are interested and mark the date

Time: Saturday Oct 29, from 9 am to 5

Place: 2640 Saint Paul

Estimated: 5-15 kids. But they don't really know.

For more info: http://unitedworkers.org/fair-development/conf/

I am also interested in assembling a planning/organizing team!

Second organizing meeting this tuesday, oct.11 at 6:30 in Hampden. Let me know if you would like to come. We will also have a volunteer orientation the week before the event.

yours for the long term intergenerational building,

china/kidz city

radkidcare@gmail.com

http://kidzcitybaltimore.blogspot.com/

ENVISIONING BRAINSTORMING IDEAS SO FAR (from United Workers Meeting):

* Make Halloween Costumes with/for Kids! They can use them to march around the next day for the Sunday action (There is going to be a giant pumpkin prop involved in the United workers demo), to feel part of the larger action, and also trick or treat in. I am thinking it would be neat to set up a sewing and costume station and get a lot of creativity going on around this.

Create a "Fair Development" GAME for children! Build Something meeting the criteria of using public resources fairly, with respect for all, and is sustainable. Or perhaps experience the game in two ways, with one boss; and then in a collaborative way. various ideas - but creating a game is a really cool idea!

Create a village, there own town. Building a community. Verbally or with waterpaints. Older kids building with younger kids.

Puppets

Workshops for Youth.

Assemble Packages of crayons, paper, and toys to put in each workshop so that children that go to workshops with caretakers have stuff there to be occupied with.

Work on ways to develop youth leadership, incorporate youth decision making.

Represent "Fair Development" in Kidz Terms: youth to experience collective decision making.

Work on a Fair Childcare Bill of Rights! What is fair childcare? Perhaps work with kids on a Children's Bill of Rights.

Photo Booth Project: If we make signs we could be part of the larger photo booth project which will ask a question like: "what is fair development?"

Develop some kind of idea for presentation that could come from the youth to the greater assembly before supper

Have ideas? Get in touch ASAP. Especially with workshop ideas and folks that could give workshops to youth. We need to put that program together.

More about the Fair Development Conference:

The 2011 Fair Development Conference is a going to be an incredible convergence of some of the most dynamic and effective organizers and scholars locally, nationally and even globally.

Check out the amazing program of workshops, events, and actions here!

People are traveling far and wide to share stories and strategies for building the power needed to develop our communities and economies in ways that respect the inherent worth of all people. From the Dominican Republic, Vermont, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, West Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania and elsewhere, organizers, artists, faith leaders, and students will be making their way to Baltimore to participate in the Fair Development Conference. We hope that you will make your way too.

So don’t miss out, register online today!

Be on the lookout for additional updates on Fair Development Conference events, actions, and news.

Here’s a list of just some of the participation groups

Amnesty International

Baltimore Algebra Project

Baltimore Bicycle Works

Centro de los Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha

Civilian Soldier Alliance (CivSol)

Coalition for Economic Justice

Coalition of Immokalee Workers

Community Law Center

Democracy Collaborative

Fight for a Fair Economy

Generations for Peace and Democracy

Good Jobs Better Baltimore

Iraq Veterans Against the War

InvertedPower.org

Justicia Global

Keeper of the Mountains Foundation

Media Mobilizing Project

Michigan Welfare Rights Organization

Milk Not Jails

Northeast Pennsylvania Organizing Center

National Economic and Social Rights Initiative

Philadelphia Student Union

Picture the Homeless

Poverty Initiative

Puppet Underground

Spectres of Liberty

United Workers

Urban Justice Center

Vermont Workers Center

War Resisters League

And More!

BOOKFAIR!!!! starting tomorrow ...

2011-09-22T17:24:00.000-07:00

They've got a great line up of talks aimed at radical parents and kids
this year in the Radical Bookfair Pavilion at the Baltimore Book
Festival, taking place outdoors in Mt. Vernon Place, September
23rd-25th:

Saturday 9/24 @ 1PM: Rad Dad

Tomas Moniz, creator of the zine "Rad Dad", presents the new
anthology collecting the best of "Rad Dad" and "Daddy
Dialectic"---essential reflections on the politics of
fatherhood. (In the Radical Bookfair Pavilion)

Sunday 9/25 @ Noon: Encouraging Reluctant Readers

Iris Kirsch, Baltimore City public school teacher, leads a
discussion workshop on "Encouraging Reluctant Readers": we all know
reading is vitally important, but how do we get kids to realize
this? (in our brand new Baltimore Free School Lit & Language tent).

Sunday 9/25 @ 1PM: Urban Theory for Kids!

Art activist Becky Slogeris presents an interactive workshop for
kids based on her new book, "The Baltimore Textbook"---a
middle-school level introduction to critical urban theory focused on
Baltimore. (in the Free School Lit & Language tent).

There's tons more great stuff going on in the Radical Bookfair
Pavilion, and at the larger Book Festival itself, all of it 100% free.
Check out the full schedules at http://bookfair.redemmas.org/ and
http://baltimorebookfestival.com/http://bookfair.redemmas.org/

DIY Fest! "The flower of independence blooms from the soil of interdependence."

2011-09-14T07:48:00.000-07:00

"Do It Together" Children's programming at DIY Fest – this Saturday!

WHERE: 2640 St Paul Street Balt. MD 21218

WHEN: Saturday, September 17 - between 12 PM and 6 PM.

Kidz City is excited to be working with DIY Fest to program more activities for children, support for parents, and all-ages community building skills. There will be:

‪- children’s craft table with Grandma Shirley;

- making dinosaur eggs (and hang out in the dinosaur nest) with Kidz City;

- puppet theatre;

- and jewelry making for (older) children at the jewelry making table

Come to DIY Fest and bring your children!

The flower of independence blooms from the soil of interdependence. Let’s work together to make a great DIY Fest for all.

More Info about DIY Fest:

DIY Fest 2011 (Do It Yourself Festival) will be the 5th DIY Fest to be held in Baltimore City. The event is free (donations are greatly appreciated) and is open to anyone wanting to learn a new skill, teach or present one of their skills/hobbies or just check out what goes down at a DIY Fest.

Harriet's Reflections on the IWW CONVENTION

2011-09-13T06:54:00.000-07:00

So the IWW Convention is over, it's been a week or more, and I have spent some time reflecting.

Coordinating childcare for this event has really helped to revitalize my hope for our collective, for Baltimore 'radicals' and for the world (okay may that's over stating it).

I think doing Kidz City work I've gotten comfortable with the role of someone who has to push to be heard, who has to shout to be considered. I went into organizing with Baltimore IWW folks defensively, ready to be disapointed. Well I was not disappointed, I had such a great time, and developed a deeper repsect for all the people in the IWW branch and for the IWW in general.

Visiting delegates were also on the whole lovely people, many of them came and said "thank you for your work" to the childcare volunteers. There was a lot of respect for the 'work' that each person did. And it seemed that care work was just as appreciated by the people that I had the pleasure of speaking with.

We also had new volunteers join us for the first time labor day weekend, and they were amazing. I can't wait to continue working with them, and learning more about them.

The coloring book I make was just a blast to research, draw, paste up and copy (many hours at Kinkos). There are still copies available if anyone wants one.

Kidz City has other activities coming up very soon. It seems like the organizing with DIY Fest has been going really well, and the kids program looks amazing.

If you want to be on our e-mail list to volunteer or recieve updates please e-mail radkidcare-at-gmail.com.

In solidarity and love,

Harriet

IWW Convention !! One Big Union.......One Awesome City!

2011-07-26T09:29:00.000-07:00

Kidz City Baltimore and the Baltimore IWW Convention Planning Committee are partnering to bring amazingly fun and educational childcare/children's programming to the
2011 IWW Delegate Convention.

Schedule:
Saturday, Sept 3rd – 8:45 am to 8:00 pm
Sunday, Sept 4th – 11:45 am to 8:00 pm
Monday, Sept 5th – 8:45 am to 5:30 pm
* for schedule concerns please feel free to contact us.

Programming: Baltimore IWW and Kidz City have a lot of great ideas and plans for children's activities including radical song writing (in the IWW tradition), sign making, story telling and more. The schedule of the planned activities for the thre days will be posted outside of the childcare space on the first day of convention.

How to participate: It takes a lot of volunteers to keep a kids' space fun. If you'd like to volunteer or if you would like to lead an activity for children please contact Harriet, from Kidz City, by e-mail: moonharriet-at-gmail.com. You can also participate by bringing the children you care for, or by buying a Kidz Stamp – more info below.

Coloring Book: It's a Kidz City tradition to create a short coloring book for each of the conferences/events that we organize with. We are working hard to provide one for this event in the style of the Little Red Song Book. If you have ideas or suggestions let us know.

Kidz City contact: Please contact Harriet from Kidz City with any questions, suggestions or to register a young person for childcare. E-mail: moonharriet-at-gmail.com.

Kidz Assessment Stamp: There will be a $10 stamp offered this year that directly funds the childcare space and Kidz City's work. Please consider buying one (or two...) to show your support.

Wikipedia IWW page.

Volunteer for the Eastern Conference for Workplace Democracy!

2011-06-28T11:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Kidz City volunteers,

Kidz City is excited to participate in the (quickly) upcoming Eastern Conference for Workplace Democracy July 8-10 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County! The ECWD brings together worker-cooperatives and coopertively-run organizations to strengthen the network of democratic workplaces in the Eastern United States. Check out their website to see the amazing workshops they've got lined up and for information about the walking tour and showcase of Baltimore co-ops on Friday, July 8.

Kidz City is going to be providing childcare throughout the conference weekend and we *really* need your help! So far, we've got 6 registered youth, 2 under 13 years and 4 between 13 years old and 18 years old. We know its quite a hike to get out to UMBC, so we'll try our best to set up shuttles or carpools to get folks down there. All volunteers will also be able to get meal cards so you can get food throughout the day. On Friday, the ECWD is hosting a showcase of worker-cooperatives in Baltimore at the 2640 space. Its from 6pm - 10pm and includes an awesome buffet with vegan, vegetarian, and meat options. Kidz City will be creating a Kidz Zone and folks who'd like to volunteer are welcome to eat for free and enjoy the showcase. We'll also be providing childcare on-site at UMBC on Saturday and Sunday throughout the day. Please take a look at the following schedule and let us know *all* of your available shifts and how many shifts you're willing to work per day.

Friday, July 8:
Showcase at 2640 St. Paul Street
Shifts: 6:00-10:00pm (can do only part)
2-3 volunteers needed

Saturday, July 9:
ECWD at UMBC
Shifts: 8:30-10:30am, 10:30-12:30pm, 12:30-2:30pm, 2:30-4:30pm
2-3 volunteers needed for each shift

Sunday, July 10:
ECWD at UMBC
Shifts: 8:30-10:30am, 10:30-12:30pm, 12:30-2:30pm, 2:30-4:30pm
2-3 volunteers needed for each shift

Lastly, we're thinking about arranging a field trip to Baltimore on Saturday for some of the older kids so if anyone is interested (and possibly has a mini-van), please let us know. More details about that upcoming. Thanks y'all!

With love ,
Sine and Kidz City

Kiz City's Volunteer Orientation

2011-05-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

Kidz City is super excited to announce that our first ever volunteer orientation will be held Sunday, June 12th from 1:30-3:30 at the Baltimore Free School!

We have a lot of awesome events coming up, including programming at the AlternateRoots Festival, and conference childcare with the Industrial Workers of the World and the Eastern Conference for Workplace Democracy. We're looking for people who are excited about participating in radical childcare and supporting an intergenerational movement.

Don't worry about this being another drab orientation session...it'll be interactive, fun, and friendly. Not only will you learn about Kidz City and what we mean by radical childcare, but you'll get an understanding of how to create a safe, inclusive space for children and parents. There will be snacks, games, and lots of educational fun.

If you'd like to attend, please RSVP at radkidcare@gmail.com. Childcare will be provided, but please inform us ahead of time if you plan to bring children. Unfortunately, the Free School is not wheel chair accessible. Please let us know if this will be a problem for anyone.

STEW at Open City Exhibition

2011-04-12T11:03:00.001-07:00

Hello there!

Kidz City will be tabling at STEW on April 15th.

OMG that's in just a few days!

STEW is teaming up with the curators of the Open City Exhibition for a unique community-culinary experience. For info click here.

Unlike, past events STEW will not have a childcare area.

However, we'll have an awesome arts activity at our table and we hope to make our table the hub of the event. ;)

Looking forward to seeing your lovely faces on Friday.

yours truly for the inter-generational movement,

Kidz City

Repost: Teaching Boys Feminism

2011-03-31T13:08:00.000-07:00

The following is an interesting blog entry by Ileana Jiménez on her blog "Feminist Teacher."

When I was in college, I always thought that teaching girls about feminism was my life’s calling. It turns out that teaching boys about feminism has made that calling even more profound.

In the past three years, I have taught a high school course on feminism titled Fierce and Fabulous: Feminist Writers, Artists, and Activists. Each year, girls and boys sign up for the class and each year, these young men are awakened not only to injustices regarding race, class, and gender in national and global contexts but also to injustices regarding how they have been socialized as boys.

With every example of women, girls, queer folks, and people of color facing discrimination, marginalization, and violence, boys awaken. White male boys begin to realize the male privilege they have enjoyed in a culture that valorizes powerful white men while boys of color gain language to describe their painful experiences of racism and classism. And each year, without fail, regardless of racial identity or socioeconomic class, the boys—both straight and gay—express their fear of being called a “fag.”

Boys of all backgrounds begin to share that they have been robbed of learning how to express their masculinity in ways that are healthy, loving, and emotive.

...continue reading...

feel free to comment with your own stories teaching feminism, racial justice, and other areas of social justice, equity, and care ...

Int'l Anti-Street Harassment Day Community Meeting

2011-03-15T12:44:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone,

Holla Back Bmore will be hosting a community meeting about street harrassment.

Ti me -- Sunday, March 20 · 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Location -- Baltimore Free School (1323 N. Calvert; Baltimore, MD)

To learn more about Holla Back check out the website.

And of course there's a Facebook page.

You can read even more about this project reported on by the City Paper.

Soooooooo.... Kidz City is providing childcare at this event! YAY!

Stay tuned for other great happenings with childcare.

Over and out, for now. And yes, we're still yours for the inter-generational revolution.

- Kidz City

Childcare in the Occupied Capitol Building in Madison, WI

2011-03-01T12:52:00.000-08:00

Hello friends!

We've been trying our best to stay tuned in to the struggle of workers to defend their collective bargaining rights in Madison, WI. As workers, we are always aware that our ability to organize and live simple healthy, happy, and connected lives is constantly under attack. As childcare workers, we know the most radical organizing is for our basic needs and dignity.

That's why we were really excited to hear about the childcare space in the occupied capitol building in the latest dispatch released by Baltimorean Ryan Harvey. Thought we'd share it with you too:

http://voiceshakes.wordpress.com/2011/02/28/dispatches-from-the-wisconsin-fight-3/

Yours for the inter-generational revolution,

Kidz City

2640 Monday SING-A-LONG!

2011-02-14T10:04:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,

Every Monday from now on, our great friends Alina and Lanie will be hosting a Monday (10am-12noon) sing-a-long, playgroup for all ages. If the flier and people organizing this event are any indication you can bet it will be AWESOME!

If you missed it this week, there's always next Monday (when some folks from Kidz City will be there, too!).

Details:
What: Play time, singing, great company
When: Mondays from 10am - 12pm
Where: 2640 St. Paul Street, Baltimore
What to bring: yourself; optional: kids, musical instruments, toys to share

- your friends at Kidz City

Kindergarten in Cairo!

2011-02-14T09:54:00.000-08:00

Some fellow childcare enthusiasts sent this our way:

"Egypt: The camp that toppled a president

Cairo's central Tahrir Square was the focal point for anti-Mubarak protesters during 18 days of demonstrations. As the protest neared its peak, the BBC's Yolande Knell took a tour of the area. Explore the protesters' camp by clicking on the links."

Of special interest to us: click on the tag that says "kindergarten".

Yours for the inter-generational revolution,

Kidz City

Event Request Form!

2011-01-18T11:24:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

After some careful editing, we have the new Event Request Form for KIDz CITY.

One thing that has changed in how to approach our work and requests for childcare and children's programing is the delineating of our expectations of the event organizers.

I'm including that section here to share with other childcare collectives and event organizers who might be interested.

We've already had some really great requests and we'll be deciding soon what events we'll be participating in!

How the Grinch .. err.. rather... the Baltimore Inner Harbor Stole Christmas!

2010-12-15T10:18:00.001-08:00

Hi Friends!

KIDz City is taking a little break until January--when we'll begin planning some really fun things, and of course we want your wisdom, knowledge, ideas, and energy for all of that.

However, I am really writing to let yall know about the following event. One of our favorite organizations in Baltimore is putting on a activist theater event tomorrow, and I wanted to spread the news.

"In a twist on Dr. Seuss’s classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” low-wage workers and community allies will tell the story of rampant wage-theft, poverty wages, and other human rights abuses taking place at the Cheesecake Factory, Hooter’s, and other vendors on Thursday, December 16th. While harbor developers and vendors make huge profits from the holiday shopping season, workers face another reality, one in which they struggle to meet their basic needs."

What: “How the Harbor Stole Christmas,” a community play and action.

When: Thursday, December 16th 11 AM-1 PM

Where: Gather at Panera Bread at Pratt St. and Market Pl. (across from the ESPN Zone)

Hope that some of you can make it tomorrow.

Peace, Harriet

Nov 20th: Transgender Day of Remembrance

2010-11-22T14:04:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday people from all over Maryland gathered to commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance. Events occurred throughout Baltimore city and in fact, events occurred simultaneously all over the world on November 20th.

The International Transgender Day of Remembrance website collects the names and manner of death of gender variant people all over the world who died as a result of violence and/or medical neglect. From November 21 of the previous year until the next November 20th, the website adds to their list. Ever year, at vigils around the world, these names are read, along with information about the person, their activism, their lives and their manner of death.

Many find this important because violence against gender variant people is often ignored or inappropriately reported on in the popular press.

This year there was an unusual addition to the list. In the few years that I have been participating I have never heard of a child's inclusion.

Roy was sixteen months old. While I am pretty sure Roy (a little over a year old) did not self-identify as trans, gender queer, or gender variant, ze was beaten by Roy's mother's boyfriend -Pedro Jones- who was "trying to make him act like a boy instead of a little girl.” (To read news article: click here.)

I had and still have so many thoughts running through my head. Anger at the man who did this, confusion at how someone could be so invested in the gender conformity of a one-year old. I need, also, to recognize the ways in which I have internalized gender conformity and expect it of others. I can't imagine how that might present itself if I were a parent, trying to prepare a child for life in our culture(s).

I don't have any answers, solutions, brilliant things to say, or really much to say at all. I just feel that we need to have this discussion, we need to recognize how harmful gender conformity is for all of us. Kidz City has had and plans to continue to have discussions and skill shares around supporting gender NON-conformity in all of us, and especially in our childcare. We want to interact with children in a way that supports them, loves them, and helps us all to question various identity 'boxes.'

We HAVE to interrogate how gender conformity (and those who enforce it in overt-violent and subtle ways) is literally killing members of our communities.

Please feel free to post your thoughts and reactions.

Re-post from Feministing.com

2010-11-17T07:54:00.001-08:00

Kid-free flights? How about family-friendly culture?
By Chloe | Published: November 15, 2010

Highlight from the article:

"So we could keep on parent-shaming and ostracizing people who dare to travel with their children. We could keep complaining about the fact that a three-year-old hasn’t yet been socialized not to loudly express her discomfort, fear or desire to get the hell out of this confined odd-smelling space. Or we could think of ways to accommodate parents with kids and help them to share space in a way that is more comfortable for everyone involved. Either that, or put noise-canceling headphones in every seat pocket and sleeping pills on every tray table."

Kids’ Noise

2010-11-09T18:23:00.000-08:00

In 2005 I toured with Ariel Gore, the founder of HipMama magazine and author of six books. I had never toured before. At each event, Ariel announced that we were OK with kids’ noise; our words had, after all, been written in the real life chaos of our lives and so how appropriate that they be read that way as well. Parents should not worry because we could speak over any child. The way she put it always got a laugh and a lot of appreciation.

Later Vikki Law and I used this approach in our “Don’t Leave Your Friends Behind” (DLYFB) workshops. We have also made these announcements when we have been speakers and suggested this to others as a way to make a space more child-friendly.

What I personally like to say is that we are glad to see parents and children in the audience, that many times parents are given the “hairy eyeball” if their children make any little sound, and then feel that they must leave and not hear the information. We don’t want to do that so we let the audience know that sounds are fine with us, and that we can speak louder to be heard.

We the speakers can deal with it and we ask the audience to too. If someone has a problem with some sounds, maybe they should pick up their chair and move to another part of the room rather then thinking the parent and child should. Or perhaps they should offer to take a restless child out of the room so the parent can continue to listen and give input instead of thinking the parent should leave. Giving children attention by including them in the discussion or sharing with them a task they can do (instead of only telling them what they shouldn’t do or ignoring them) can help the situation flow smoother as well.

Children’s sounds aren’t the end of the world. But somehow we have the notion that complete silence is necessary when “important people” speak. However, having more space to yourself can be seen as a huge factor within who is more privileged than another. Many parents cannot afford the complete silence of uninterrupted time and space. Our conversations and planning may go on while juggling other activities, within our discontent on the job, in the corners of the dawn or at the edge of kitchen tables.

Many public activist conversations also have problems with adults (some groups of adults more then others) taking up too much space, talking over each other, and other improper behaviors, but a child just being a child is greeted with a greater amount of anger. What are they doing here? seems to be the reaction. If you don’t have a partner, can’t afford a babysitter, or don’t feel ready/want to be separated from your child – you should stay secluded with them in the children’s spaces or at home, and not join us at these talks.

The noise of children is seen as something that is an intrusion on adults. Perhaps is it still the old “seen and not heard” rule.

But it doesn’t always have to be like this. In different settings, as well as in other cultures and countries, the attitude can be vastly different. Activists who have traveled to Chiapas and spent time with Zapatistas commonly report that children run in and out of the room and are present at every gathering. One person told Vikki that, in addition to children’s sounds, sometimes a meeting was interrupted by the sounds of a military helicopter flying overhead: everyone would run out to look; then return to continue the meeting. To this person, although they recognized their own limits and did not want to do childcare personally, the idea of anyone being upset with the sounds of children was absurd!

But often in North America and --it seems to me --most prominently in predominately white middle class spaces, a noise from a child will cause the whole room to turn and give a disapproving look. What usually happens then is the parent’s tension rises, they become more militant to suppress or prevent any sound, and when it happens again, they get up, flustered, and leave. Sometimes even in vocally child-friendly spaces a parent will leave something that they have looked forward to and worked hard to get there, feeling like a bad parent, upset and alone, to soothe a fussy child who will not be easily soothed. Parenting is hard work, especially new parenting where one’s life is majorly changed and one often does not even get enough uninterrupted sleep. Parents may have to leave a room more frequently than others, but they shouldn’t be pushed out before they feel ready to leave.

Recently, Amy told me about trying to make a more child-friendly space at a bookstore reading by bringing blocks to occupy children in the audience. The blocks made sounds and the feeling in the room was like electrified tension. The parent and child left to get away from that.

I remember in our original DLYFB talk – which is geared towards those without children of their own: only a few parents were in the audience. They were struggling with a child playing with fold up chairs. Within our discussion they felt brave enough to bring up their feelings: A parent raised her hand and shared that this was the kind of thing that would cause them to usually leave. We stopped our conversation on hypothetical supporting parents and children situations and started a new group discussion based on what was happening right then: What would be the best way to handle this? What would make this room more friendly and relaxed? The parent said it would be nice for others to make eye contact with them or their children or smile. They are afraid of being an inconvenience to others. From this first discussion came our list of concrete ways to support parents. It seemed a very constructive use of a workshop, to gather and to interact with each other, all different members and needs, not make it some place where only some feel free to speak, though it’s important to acknowledge all those who couldn’t make it there that day and why.

I remember when I first met a new mom zine-friend, Connie, who had traveled all the way from Colorado to California on her own with a new baby to meet Jessica, Tomas, Rahula, and I for our book reading in Modern Times Books. I had told her she would have support when she arrived and wanted to make sure that happened. I ran out, maybe a little too enthusiastic, and offered to hold her infant, to give her arms a break, so she could tend to what ever she needed to and listen to our reading. I made my usual announcement about not worrying about baby noise. When we gathered next, at the Bay Area Bookfair, Connie came up to me with a gleam in her eye. “Remember to make that message again!”

That announcement is always appreciated and it works really well. You can use your own words and put it however you like, but it puts everyone at ease.

Vikki recently told me that while on the “The Community and Resistance Tour” before speaking about prison abolition and incarcerated womens’ resistance, she always includes the announcement about being fine with children’s noises. But even as she pushes others with this form of activism she admits to me that sometimes children’s noises do interrupt her thoughts. (after all, that’s why we mothers often want childcare) But she works to keep her thoughts together, to look back down at her notes, and get back on track, because, she laughingly states: if a pair of 3 year olds can derail her so easily how does she ever expect to go up against the Prison- Industrial Complex and win? And we play to win, so welcome the sounds of the movement growing.

Success!

2010-10-25T12:10:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone,

IDKcE was a great success. Childcare was fun, safe and well integrated into the larger conference.

My experience at this conference's childcare was so inspiring. When the children ran beyond the confines of our couch fort, set up camp under dinner tables and danced in the middle of the floor, conference goers were delighted, helpful and respectful.

For some reason, my pessimistic self worried about childcare being in the main room, and not set apart. I worried that people might make anti-kid remarks or hate the noise or look at us weird. But it was just the opposite. There were no weird looks, or snide remarks (that I heard at least -- there's my pessimism again).

When one of the kids wanted to play on the stage right before a speaker was to go on, another conference goer (Debra Kate you rock!) helped me to convince her that getting off the stage would be just as fun. When that same kid decided right before dinner was to be served to tuck her stuffed animals in for a nap under the tables, the conference goers were delighted and encouraging. The kids were incorporated in these ways as any other person at the conference was.

Kids listened to Kate Bornstein's workshop, danced, played dress up (some of the best drag queens ever!), drew crayon mustaches on their faces, drank incredible amounts of juice, watched Talbolt do some amazing puppet characters and more.

Simply put, I had fun.

For me this was childcare done right. Oh, and best of all, the local organizing committee (gender justice collective -- Xander, especially) thanked us for our hard work. Being thanked seems small. But to be thanked for our hard work, appreciated for making the conference more accessible, was wonderful and perhaps we don't hear it enough, because I was so surprised and appreciative for those two simple words.

So I will say these lovely words too:
Thank you, IDKcE and the Gender Justice Collective!

Thank you, amazing volunteers (Alina, Aimee, Talbolt, Laura, Michael, Daniel, Sergio, Ciara, Annie, Anna, and Bonnie!).

Thank you, children who we had so much fun with (Farren, Lotus, Sunny, Mirah, and Willow).

Thank you, fellow collective members (Yay for Sara SK, China and Sine!).

yours for the on-going inter-generational revolution,

Harriet

SUPER KIDz!!! Gender Justice at IDKcE Baltimore!

2010-10-07T07:12:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

The International Drag King (gender performance) Community Extravaganza Conference is only two weeks away.

There is a conference with workshops, and shows every night. Go to their website for more info -- http://www.idkexii.com/about/main.html

It's from Oct 20-24!

And of course, because we're involved, there will be childcare!!!! (We would advertise a conference that didn't!)

We're calling it Super Kidz and we're very excited to announce workshops and a safe, fun space for children 12 and under. We will also have a sleep over night for parents wanting to attend and perform in Showcase. (For parents and caretakers performing/attending other nights, please contact us.)

What we still need:

VOLUNTEERSSSSSS!!!! (please contact Harriet to volunteer - moonharriet@gmail.com)
STUFFFFF!!!! (we need supplies, food, drinks, crafty things, etc. please contact Sarah SK - whitney.sk@gmail.com)
WORKSHOPPERRRSSS!!! (as always we want to offer children some great workshops, especially those that incorporate performance, justice, and resistance to oppression. please contact Sine - me.sine@gmail.com)
PARREEENTTTS / CARETAKERRRSS!!! (if you want to chat with our parent liaison please contact China - radkidcare@gmail.com)

We hope to hear from you all soon!

eternally yours for the inter-generational revolution,

KIDz CITY!
p.s. If you're on Facebook so is IDKcE and KIDz CITY. Search for IDKE on the search bar and do the same for KIDz CITY. We want to be your virtual (and actual) friends. :)

Potluck = Great Success! and other news...

2010-09-18T13:46:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

The 1st ever Community KIDz CITY Potluck was a lot of fun! Thanks for all those who came. We had a great time with bubbles, tossing a frisbee, playing and listening to music, swinging on swings, talking, eating and more!

Our next community event will be a KIDz STORY HOUR at the Baltimore Bookfair in the Radical Book Tent.

It is during the zine bazaar. Friday, September 24th from 4 -5 pm. We'll be reading "Click Clack Moo" (and a typewriter activity) and "My Head is Full of Colors" (and a crown making art activity).

We'll see you all soon.

(Let us know if you want to volunteer for the childcare program at IDKcE -- October 20-24.)

KIDz CITY Community Potluck

2010-09-12T05:58:00.000-07:00

KIDz CITY is hosting our first ever community potluck. And you're invited!!!

Details:
Saturday Sept 18th (in one week, oh my! -- hurry up and write it on your calendars!)
from 12 noon - 4 pm
in Wyman Park (we're gonna start off at the playground -- corner of 29th and Charles)

Of course there will be food to eat, games to play and MUSIC! And best of all we'll have you!

If you have any questions, or want to share excitement, you can e-mail us: radkidcare -at- gmail.com!

(If you're an over-achiever you can label your food dish with any common allergy ingredients it contains. Ex: "this has peanuts," "dairy in here," "wheat!" etc)

We can't wait to see you on Sat!

love! KIDz CITY (Harriet, Sine, China and Sarah!)

p.s. Rainy-day back-up location - TBA.

SUPER KIDz Brainstorming Meeting! 8/15/2010

2010-08-15T17:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we (Sarah S-K, Sine, China, Harriet, Jake, Dany and Anna) met to have a fantastic brainstorm about the children's programming at IDKE XII (idkexii.com). (Coincidentally, there was also a huge rainstorm.) We're calling it SUPER KIDz!

Here are the results of the "What is Gender Justice" Brainstorm:

What does “Gender Justice” mean to you?

motion
fighting back/gaining justice
knowing how/when to say something: strategies in different situations
the freedom to love and be loved
being your whole self
challenge yourself: be challenged
space to think a different way outside the status quo and dominant paradigm
belonging
comfort
being safe: body free from attack/social safety/professional safety/legal safety
knowing there are folks who will have your back
being supported, protected, and defended
conscience of gender binaries
the right to be a parent
conscience of your own struggles and how they can affect others
linking our personal struggles to larger issues
linking larger issues to each other
there is more then one component to justice

How about as it specifically applies to children?

caring and happiness
encouragement to explore
having space to be fluid
not telling little 3 year old boys to “stop being a little bitch” when they cry
stop policing children for their emotions and self-expressions
stop putting gender on everything that really has nothing to do with gender (but is just perceived that way)
wanting affection is OK –and Good!
respecting boundaries: children’s boundaries are often not respected

How to talk to children about these issues:

ask questions, children like to talk, ask them what they think
you can keep things light
let children have their own questions and opinions
answer their questions simply without shame ex. “yes I do have armpit hair”
give examples of other people, especially people they know “Sara has armpit hair too!”
it’s OK if you don’t have a concrete answer
no one knows everything: there is no book of every right thing to do and say
some children do like concrete answers and to talk about gender a lot
more important then indoctrination is to teach critical thinking

Here's a picture of us the with the peach sponge cake, made from China's great-grandmother's recipe. Yummmm! (thanks jake for taking the picture)

SUPER KIDZ - childcare @ International Drag King Extravaganza, Baltimore - Oct. 20-24, 2010

2010-08-12T21:24:00.000-07:00

Gender Justice: SUPER KIDZ Programming –

SUPER KIDZ is a creative program so that the children of IDKE XII participants in Baltimore – Oct. 20-24 2010 - http://www.idkexii.com/can be cared for by the greater community and also have space and activities just for them.

Everyone, no matter how old they are, deserves to feel safe and good in being who they are—while respecting the rights of others. We all have things in common and we all have differences. Lets work together to support everyone’s right to be super!

SUPER KIDZ is about taking care of yourself and taking care of each other. Free to be you and me. Lets get together and make this world a better place.

Activities may include:

story time

dress up

snacks

work on a play to show everyone

discuss: what does being a super hero mean to you?

go for a walk

go swimming

painting

crafts

dancing

singing

learn consensus

Kidz City’s SUPER KIDS is a creative program intended to support parents' access to participation at IDKE XII Baltimore – Oct. 20-24 2010 - http://www.idkexii.com/ and to promote respect and community care for children. We believe that while we are working (and playing) together we should make sure no one is left behind.

One important component to any conference/gathering where folks want full participation from a variety of people is access to that conference. Access for parents and child-caregivers is an important part of any grassroots or community gathering. However, at many conferences and gatherings, children’s and caretakers’ issues are often marginalized and addressed last, if at all.

We have formed SUPER KIDZ to help address these needs. We will be making space and programming for children, with a youth show that everyone is encouraged to attend. We wish to change the overburdened and isolated capitalist hierarchical model of childcare into one more in line with a community justice model that respects all people, ages, and needs.

What we need from you is your time and energy. Please consider volunteering. Together we can do more then we can alone - If everyone volunteers a little that adds up to a lot!

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Workshop presenters: Consider sharing your skills/concepts in the children’s space. Feel free to contact us and we will help you develop ideas on how your work applies to children.

Artists and Presenters: Please submit a page to our SUPER KIDZ coloring book. Create fun child-friendly images outside the mainstream binary gender coding children's coloring books. Lets draw and imagine a beautiful world where everyone is celebrated. Feel free to contact us and get feedback on your ideas.

Parents: Please contact us ahead of time. Let us know the ages of the children you are bringing, as well as other concerns, including those with special needs, so we can provide for them.

Volunteers: We need volunteers who would like to participate in respectful, creative, and caring community childcare. We are especially looking for artists, dancers, singers, and educators who have experience working with children. However, those with little previous experience with children are also welcome and will be paired with more experienced folks. There is a place for everyone in Kidz City.

Conference Participants: Look out for the youth around you and support everyone’s right to participate at their own level. Talk to parents and children and see how you can support them. Examine your privileges and see how you can support others’ struggles as well as your own.

Donations: For those who do not want to volunteer or cannot volunteer, you can still be supportive by donating any of the following: juice boxes,  soymilk boxes,  carrots, fruit, graham crackers, other healthy foods, dress-up clothes, art supplies, baby wipes, paper towels, money - or if you can donate or lend other supplies also let us know!

CONTACT: Radkidcare@gmail.com

Kidz City/SUPER KIDZ Organizers China, Harriet, Sarah, and Sine

Email: Radkidcare@gmail.com

Blog: http://kidzcitybaltimore.blogspot.com/ Mail: P.O. Box 4803 Baltimore MD 21211

Dream Clouds, Rain Drops, and Lighting Bolts

2010-08-06T19:08:00.000-07:00

At the U.S. Social Forum in Detroit, June 2010, seven radical childcare collectives (From NYC, Austin, DC, San Francisco Bay Area, Philly, Chicago, and Baltimore) facilitated a workshop together. It was called "Building an Intergenerational Movement for Collective Liberation: the Work of Childcare Collectives Across the States and the Galaxy!"

I would like to share the group results of 3 "visioning exercises" which the whole room participated in. Thank you everyone in our workshop that day!

Dream Clouds: We broke down into 5 smaller groups to discuss and write on a ‘dream cloud’ our answers to these questions: "Why is childcare work important and how is it political work? What would childcare look like in your ideal vision and who do we envision to be taking on this work?"

CLOUD 1

- Supporting women in the low income and women of color movement

- Makes women stronger

- Kids give revolution work perspective

- Mode of resistance vs. individualistic culture

- Mode of resistance vs. state-run, church-run, privately-run childcare

- Diversity in the movement

B) HOW TO GET THERE

Meeting needs today while strategizing vision for the future

Practicing holistic and humanizing work

Building community and long term relationships

Exposing kids to the wide world

Prepares a next generation to be activists

Engaging with kids in a different way than authority

Rethinking division/not separating

Really valuing intergenerational work/not just some people’s responsibility

Kids are insightful

Enhancing pluralism

Applying your talent

Ideal vision-kids are in all spaces

Cultural shift

Not exclusive

Creating a fully intergenerational space to enrich us all

Make fun

A group to take care of selves and each other

Hold each other accountable

Don’t be flakes

Nutritious food access

NUBE 2

Necesitamos a todos en el movimiento (mams, papas, ninos) – we need everyone in the movement (moms, dads, kids)

Debemos crear espacio para los ninos para que el movimiento sobreviva – we need to create space for kids to be around so the movement can survive beyond the current generation

Apoyar y reconocer a mams de color, para que podamos organizarnos – help and recognize us mamas of color, so that we can organize

Para que las mamas y papas tengamos un “break” – give moms and dads a break from childcare

Responsabilidad por educar politica de los ninos – responsibility for political education of children

Para abrir la mente de los ninos – to open the mind of children

Criar ninos en comunidad, es una co-responsabilidad – raise kids in community, it’s a co-responsibility

Incorporar a los ninos al trabajo de organizar – incorporate the kids in organizing work

Poder para los ninos – empowerment of children

Accessible – accessible

Divertido - fun

Saludable - healthy

Alegre - happy

Limpio - clean

Familiar -

Colorido – colorful, diverse

Seguro – safe

Verde - green

Techo – roof? Covered? Protected?

Comunitario - communal

Intergeneracional – intergenerational

Inclusivo - inclusive

No violento – non-violent

Integrada - integrated

Participation politico (de ninos) – political participation (of kids)

Multilingue y multicultural – multilingual and multicultural

Imaginativo - imaginative

Organico - organic

CLOUD 3

childcare is never optional

early childcare workers valued and respected

all genders and races, diverse movement included

childcare is a shared responsibility and everyone’s work

more work for cis-gendered men

kids being integrated into the community

treating young people as full members (anti-adultism)

making childcare empowering and freeing

happiness

playing

intentional

kids are awesome

having kids around is normal (many ages being together is normal)

learning/working with different styles

trained (some needs require extra knowledge)

working on policy changes to resource the work that needs to be done

all feel effortless

using childcare as a political tool, we are providing a service together

men who come out to do childcare don’t feel criminalized

childcare spaces that support children’s full gender expression

not segregating children with special/heightened needs, never say no to a child

non-judgemental

dialogue between children and parents and elders

relationships with children less authoritative, different ways of interacting with children

fun

snacks/food for all ages

childcare givers are nurtured

teaching and learning with kids

CLOUD 4

Model new world through PLAY!

Personal is political

Kid/Parent led

Supporting mothers and the work of mothers

Keep it intergenerational

Build support for immediate needs

Making connections between parents/community caregivers child allies

Develop multiple intelligences

Collective and community building

Challenge white supremacy & ALL forms of oppression!

More men involved in caregiving for children

Bringing marginalized groups to the center!

CLOUD 5

Parenting is full-time; parents need childcare to get involved

Youth must be included within the spaces of the movement

Addresses priviledge issues- single moms want to be involved in organizing; non-parents can help make it more accessible; can't do both full-time childcare work and organizing work/ activism is great "uniter"

Childcare is political act- as is motherhood! Responsibility of an entire community- intergenerational movement building improves the movement

Act of solidarity; opportunity to bring more women in! families interdependence- we all need each other!

Creating spaces where the children can really feel like they belong and everyone in the space takes an active role in caring for children

Ideal childcare would have more resources, space, and people

Intergenerational spaces, extended family, merging with senior organizations

Fluid, having healthy connected relationships

Getting childcare extremely accessible

Whenever a break is needed 24/7

Who? -everyone, in different facets, it will reshape a child's perception of community

Children being the center of the movement

After we finished that exercise we rotated in two circles where we each answered a question one on one - taking turns listening. "In relationship to the vision that you just talked about in your small group, what’s really going on with your childcare work. What is your practice/relationship to childcare work?"

Rain Drops: "What is the most powerful thing about the work that’s going on right now, what’s revolutionary about this work?" Each person will write their partners answers on a rain drop.

This is what everyone came up with:

-trading childcare
-free!
-adds creativity back into movement
-multiple age groups
-getting women/parents voices heard
-supporting women of color voices
-cooperative-based
-non-commodity
-no money for childcare
-parents are struggling and I don't know what is happening with our childcare. however, I am super excited to share ideas from here with my community.
-break down the current paradigm of individualism
-most affected people leading
-women of color at movement's center
-addressing intersectionality
-momentum
-coalition
-accessible free art classes for youth
-inter-generational community
-building relationships with youth and families over the years; seeing them grow
-takes a village to raise a youth
-long sided revolutionary struggle
-inter-generational dialogue
-celebrating lack of life experience (wonderment)
-inter-generational sustainable structures of support rooted in anti-oppressive work
-building community
-empowering
-spontaneous mutual aid among parents
-figuring out what's going on with parents in neighborhood
-build/support family while addressing oppression
-connection to basic fundamental human interaction
-reminder of specialness of all individuals
-blends pragmatic politicking with beauty of parenthood
-sharing time and ideas and space with other mothers/relatives, neighbors, friends
-children learning to be a part of the community
-most powerful: radical curriculum in childcare collective
-most revolutionary: community bridges and building them
-movement won't survive if children not integreted
-faja contra el abuso de ninos
-organizacion de hombres para cuida a los ninos
-looking to the future for revolutionary childcare
-childcare not affordable
-providing a need
-potential
-womyn-friendly space
-caring for children of incarcerated mothers
-bridging generations
-holistic change
-create structures that incorporate all
-anti-colonial
-long-term strong relationships with organizations and kids in them
-connection with movements in South Africa
-support
-dialectic of childcare
-parental involvement
-revaluation of care work and making it truly a central community effort
-provide support to dis-empowered community
-todos los grupos incluyendo hombres tienen la oportunidad de cuidar los ninos
-children becoming powerful, vocal, creative, active, in movements along with parents
-forming deeper relationships with people in the community
-making new friends within and across movements
-community
-long-term vision of revolution
-allowing more marginalized to empower each other
-willingness for community care and support
-moms most affected so their participation is crucial
-building community through childcare
-creative ways to make childcare affordable
-meeting
-personal
-radical childcare
-public support in loving way
-disabled kids campaign: DC collective
-special needs
-that a childcare collective exists
-radical collaboration
-mamas leading
-parent networking
-forming co-op
-kids absorb and electrify the movement
-free
-transformational
-retos culturales
-apoyo a madres solteras
-learning from kids
-male involvement
-challenge gender roles
-intergenerational culture spaces
-relationship building
-cultivating new spaces out childcare community (parents, kids, allies, everyone)
-involving children in political actions
-seeing this!!
-powerful opportunity outside traditional childcare
-political and cultural re-imagining
-re-imagining gender roles
-challenging oppressive dynamics
-men's involvement
-I get to step out of my comfort zone
-inter-dependent
-inter-group connection
-engaging youth
-support childcare providers
-kids' perspective integral to personal growth
-inclusion
-opening space
-awesome

Lighting Bolts: "Talk about one super difficult, road blocking challenge to the work." Each person will write their partners answers on a lightning bolt.

This is what everyone came up with:

- New concept for community
- Lack of vision needs to be prioritized…not discussed.
- People’s bad attitudes about kids
- How to make sure caregivers are safe: trust
- Availability
- Too busy! Too much going on to really help.
- Lack of support for childcare providers
- Commitment to prioritize. Revaluing (childcare) beyond (a) responsibility.
- Accessibility of decent care (shared values)
- Commitment
- Find volunteers that want to be engaged for a long time. Time.
- Communication. Accessibility.
- Time. Willingness. “Burden” on a few.
- Building trust between people.
- Scheduling. Finding volunteers and people to participate.
- Time. Organizing consistency.
- Accessibility. Isolation of parents in our culture.
- Time/money. Resources.
- Building commitment with community members.
- Inherent failure of human kind.
- Affordability and safety of childcare spaces.
- Understanding childcare as collective, not just individual. And understanding South Asian community as political.
- Learning to relate to kids.
- Own upbringing and history interferes with caring, loving skills.
- Getting cis-me involved…questioning gender dynamics.
- Sustainable commitment levels.
- Time. Capacity. Finding dedicated volunteers.
- Not enough time for volunteering.
- People not grounded in building community. Not a priority. Reconfigure our sense of community.
- Community resistance to politicizing childcare.
- Self-esteem.
- Lack of respect for children and mothers in the movement
- Public transportation to spaces.
- Safety and security (eg, child abuse and molestation)
- Everyone should be included.
- Budget cuts, accessibility to any childcare.
- No tiene experiencia cuidar a ninos ni organizacion.
- Degree, license, education.
- Connecting with new groups.
- Falta de tiempo y un espacio para organizer. (No space or time to organize)
- Burnout!
- Building relationships with parents.
- Retention. Involving men.
- Finding ways to incorporate non-traditional learning/values into a curriculum; lack of funding, inability to provide childcare staff with adequate salaries.
- Space
- Growth
- Lack of kids in community, isolation of kids from community (private childcare).
- Capacity and commitment.
- Organizational structural support.
- Lack of time, lack of commitment.
- Sustaining membership.
- Lack of resources.
- Logistics, finding volunteers, community support.
- Cost of childcare ($$), lack of planning (last minute planning).
- Idioma (language)
- Time; lack of time.
- Time; $$$$.
- Burn-out/exhaustion; too few people; paid vs. volunteer childcare.
- Transcending ed à not transmitting trauma; overcoming gendered idea that it’s a woman’s task.
- Childcare.
- Generational separation. Separation of people with children and people without children. Lack of material resources. Lack of follow-through. Lack of time.
- Lack of communication between need and providers lack integration.
- Childcare is marginalized and de-prioritized in radical spaces. Be friends, be involved – don’t just talk at meetings.
- Gice … lejos (no idea what this says).

We taped everything to the wall where we could look at all these replies together. We discussed what the next step would be, and what do we need, to fulfill our collective visions. (the river below the other shapes) We came together to make rain in the closing exercise. I said it last year at the AMC, and I will say it again this year: Detroit has Rainbows! The conversations and energy I find there lasts the year long.

will say it again this year: Detroit has Rainbows! The conversations and energy I find there lasts the year long.

US Social Forum

2010-08-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

The 3rd United States Social Forum (http://www.ussf2010.org/) took place in Detroit, Michigan from June 22nd through 26th. Baltimore KIDz CITY was there is full force -- Sarah SK, China, Sine and I were all there!

Childcare collectives from all over the country worked in the months beforehand to plan a workshop called: Building an Intergenerational Movement for Collective Liberation: the Work of Childcare Collectives Across the States and the Galaxy!
This was a historic moment (okay maybe not in the grand scheme of things, but pretty historic to us). Radical/feminist/anarchist/anti-racist/social-justice childcare collectives have never gathered in the US on that scale before (as far as we know). It was goose-bump inducing fun and fantastically facilitated. We had a brain-storm, with vision clouds, barrier lighting-bolts, tool tear drops and a river of dreams for the future. I’m getting tingly just thinking about it again.
The room was packed with people who want community and activism to be intergenerational and are doing something to make that happen. It was like hanging out with a bunch of feel-good kindergarten teachers! Below is a picture of the organizers of the workshop. The day after the workshop we gathered and made plans for staying in touch, and continuing to work together, forming the IFCC (it sounds super official and stands for Intergalactic Federation of Childcare Collectives!)

(do you notice that we attempted to be in a rainbow? Cute, right?)

Epic Meeting!

2010-06-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

Today we (Harriet, Sine, and me: China) met at Harriet’s Blurple house. On our Agenda was:

1. Harriet report back from going to the last IDKE* Meeting

2. Sine shares about prospective childcare volunteer people she met

3. How to communicate w/ prospective members & others about events we are up to - making one email update list

4. Planning a brainstorming community gathering to talk about gender, justice, and the children’s programming.

5. That YES - our theme for the youth stage is going to be “What is a Hero?” For the two days before it we are going to be having workshops for children building up to this, with discussion, working on costumes, voice, dance, etc. to do an elementary Glee style mash-up for the Youth Stage - that everyone is invited to, and will be a good time to get all ages together and share what we have been doing with the larger conference

6. Idea for a coalition that could get together to do a workshop on racial justice for children as well as a personal discussion on race and privilege

7. Different names and ideas of creative people, artists, and organizers who we can put a call out to send something for our coloring book.

We wrote down notes, with little action points; and things were starting to come together more. AND Oh yes - we talked about the US Social Forum**, how there will be two radical childcare workshops there, and the discussions we want to have, and how we hope this is going to help us in growing our group and where we are right now, the questions we have.

Both my collective members were really excited/inspired when sharing their news. Thats good because I feel worn down (its hot and muggy in Baltimore; and I lost my job, have no money) and need some of that energy. Once again I remembered why I love this collective, I love talking about the things we do, and trying to do something about it. We haven’t been able to get together, not all three of us, much lately and had been calling this the day of the “epic” meeting. It was! We hope to move forward in different ways and keep putting things together. I’m going to try to start blogging more about our process. Sharing stories about things as they go along.

*The International Drag King Community Extravaganza (IDKE XII) asked Kidz City, at the very start of their own planning (which is the ideal way we encourage all to follow their example - reach out for childcare at the very start and don’t leave it to the end!), to join with them in creating children’s programming and coordinate childcare. This is a huge event taking place in October. We are in the brainstorming stage to create a stellar program, much the way we did with The City From Below Conference, to support youth and caretakers access to radical events as well as work on places where different issues intersect. For more info on IDKE -http://www.idkexii.com/about/main.html

**coming up soon in Detroit - http://www.ussf2010.org/

Media from City From Below

2010-01-19T16:50:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos and videos from City From Below and a link to an article that we wrote for the Indyreader about Kidz City. Enjoy!

Whose City? Kid(z) City! Indyreader article

Some short videos of Kidz City at City From Below

"Children in the City" Presentation at City From Below by Kidz City Collective member China Martens and Regeneracion member Elliot Liu

Harriet and China are in the screenprinting workshop at Kid(z) City!

Jenny Sage leads a workshop on making rad stuff out of reused materials - backpack straps from seatbelts? Yes!

We are Kidz City Collective!

2009-09-11T08:48:00.000-07:00

Herein lies the new blog of the Kidz City Collective! Currently formed by three members, parents and non, we are dedicated to advocating for parents and children in the radical community. Too often, we find that parents and children are driven out of radical spaces, because they're "loud," because they're "annoying," and because people "just hate kids." We say, "SCREW THAT!" In a world based on anarchist principles of mutual aid, sharing, caring and support, no one should be pushed out because they have children, especially because it is parents (and often mothers) who are in need of support by the community.

We started by organizing Kid(z) City, a radical childcare space at the City From Below conference in March 2009. Check out www.cityfrombelow.org for video of Kid(z) City. Actually, that's where the amazing picture on our header comes from! And check out http://indyreader.org for a reportback from the three of us about how we thought Kid(z) City went in the Spring/Summer 2009 issue of the Baltimore Indyreader.

<3
Yours for a better, more fun, kid and parent friendly world!
Sine, Harriet and China