One-Minute Manifesto

Back in the fall, I was lucky enough to work with an awesome group of people from the UK on a short theater collaboration. I worked specifically with ActionHero (on a project that's described elsewhere in my website) but also got to spend time with other artists in SF as part of Forest Fringe.

The amazing Lucy Ellinson facilitated a series of one-minute manfiestos where each person got a strictly-timed minute to speak about anything close to their heart in public. Part of it was to force yourself to get over the fear of speaking out. I was terrified. And also had way too many things I felt I could write a manifesto on. So instead I wrote a list and read it as quickly as possible. I'm only sorry I didn't get through it all, because right when I was revving into my "Teachers are CEO's" portion and the crowd was cheering, my whistle got blown.

So in an effort to continue this blog, here's my list:

The List:

Schools & Prisons
Prisons & Schools
Private vs. Public Funding
Private vs. Public Information
Pretending we have the information when we know we don't.
Being a good person.
Knowing how to do something useful.
Art.
Funding for the arts.
Sustainable arts.
Sustainable food.
Sustainable communities.
Sustainable relationships.
Knowing when to break up.
Knowing when to fight it out.
Knowing when to breathe.
Knowing how to speak up.
Knowing how to stand up for someone.
For something.
Social networking: Can I be an engaged person without it?
Do I really need to upgrade?
Can I live without an iPhone indefinitely?
Can I be a human being without spending money?
Money.
Making a living.
Making an honest living.
Making an honest living on my art.
Is it OK to not teach anymore?
Teaching felt like the only way I made a difference.
Teaching felt like it was stealing my soul.
Teaching felt like working within a corrupt corporation and trying to make a difference.
Teaching felt like helping the helpless so the powerful people at the top didn't have to worry about it.
I think teachers are the real saints.
I think teachers are the real CEOs.
I think teachers should get the major bonuses.
I think teachers should should should ______
I think should should be stricken from my personal lexicon.
I want did & done & will & have.

(whistle.)