Hello, I'm Venetcia Ortiz.
I am a 19 year old Puerto Rican, Italian female that grew up in the Central
Fall, Pawtucket area. The first 12 years of my life I was in CF and Pawtucket
attending CF schools then left to West Warwick for two tears then returned home
in Pawtucket, where I currently reside and continued to attend CF school until
I graduated. Now I am a freshman at RIC, but my major is still undeclared
because I am unsure of what I want to do for the rest of my life. I'm
interested in the sciences, I love art and I'm a naturalist but having all of
these interests just make my decision harder. Both my parents were born in
Mass. and raised in Central Falls or in the surrounding cities. I grew up
playing outside, watching educational television like Discovery Channel and
reading non-fiction books on topics of interest to me.
My blog, as you are well aware, is
focused on Slater Park, who uses it, what recreational activities are
available, and how it creates a sense of community for those that visit the
park. My subjects are park goers, moms with children that are full of energy,
joggers that run the trail with friends and pets, and teens that need a hangout
spot. Through the years I have visited the park I’ve noticed the park community
is diverse, Latinos, Hispanics, blacks, white; you name it. Considering that
parks are public green areas, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to see people
of all ages to roam the park on a warm autumn day so I would fit in perfectly.
Also I tend to be shy around people I first meet so it will take some time to
uncover the whole story. For a site like this it would be easier to seek
insider information from friends and family to get their perspective of the
park. Considering that many of my cousins and siblings grew up together and are
very close to one another, we were all exposed to the same things and grew up similarly.
We attended the Haunted Tunnel and Pumpkin Carving during the fall and
Christmas at the park in the winter while in spring and summer we visited
Daggit Farm and played in the park. I still remember when Slater Park use to
have wood and metal for the playgroung set up. The majority of us played and
owned video game consoles; we loved rough housing with one another, having adventures
outside and grew up with various types of family pets. They are part of this
culture as am I because this was a place of our childhood. Slater Park played
different roles in my life from when I was a child to today and I want to see
if others have the same experience as
me.
Venetcia: Thank you for this beginning look at your subjective positions! You've covered your fixed positions well, but I am left wondering a bit about your subjective positions where playing outside and parks are concerned. You tell us quite a bit about your own life experience, but you don't really analyze how your subjective positions may affect your fieldwork. In other words, how does the fact that you spent your childhood playing and attending events at Slater Park affect your view of the park ("They are part of this culture as am I because this was a place of our childhood.")? A hint: Because of your fond memories of the Park, you are more inclined to view it as a positive place, a place where families and children play and grow. What if, to some people, parks represent places of danger, a waste of taxpayer dollars, and/or a place for young people to engage in mischief? Not everyone loves parks just because you love parks; not everyone thinks the outdoors is a friendly place just because you identify as a naturalist. So, I just want to see, through your writing here on the blog (hint: write another post!) that you understand this concept of subjectivities. That is, I need to know that you have analyzed HOW your past experiences could "color" your perception of other people's stories and experiences. Will you keep an open mind to the person who tells you they hate bugs and never go outside? Or, will you judge them before listening to why? This is why we must thoroughly, deeply examine these things called subjectivities. It's also called "checking yourself," you know? Thank you, Venetcia!
ReplyDelete