We’re not in kansas anymore.
(via Melissa3000)
Yesterday Reena and I headed south west to Greensboro Alabama. A very small town where Auburn University has a program called the Rural Studio and has been working for several years with the architecture students to build homes and other facilities for the people of Greensboro. It’s was more complicated and awesome than that, but I don’t know the details by heart.
Reena and I were there because John Bielenberg has stolen our life. After M North, we have decided to take our PieLab Dreams down to Greensboro and open a little Pie Shop on the main drag in town where the Hero Office is.
Pie Lab Tree from Project M on Vimeo.
We walked around the downtown and saw the potential spots for the PieLab and then spent some time touring Perry Lakes Park while we waited for Serah to get back from her Habitat Closing.
When she got back, we all got into a conversation about how crazy it is that PieLab is a viable concept and how unbelievably well it could grow to be in Greensboro. We discussed our fears of being the outsiders coming in to have a say in what quality of life means, and she made a great point.
‘When I first got here with M, people would ask me what I was here to do— and I would go off and say I was here to make change … and they would ask me ‘Change what?’” It’s so easy think that we understand someone’s needs. Serah said that after 8 months living in Greensboro, she’s realized that maybe these people who we are trying to ‘help’ have a better quality of life than she has ever known. To try and tell them that they are deprived is kind of arrogant.
There are certainly things that could benefit Greensboro through PieLab— information on healthier food for those struggling with diabetes and entrepreneuership seminars for those interested in learning to run a business are just a couple of examples of things that could be taught through the venue. But I think what I’m so excited about with the entire venture is the fact that it’s not necessarily about ‘change’ it’s just about putting in something good when times are rough for everyone. When there isn’t a catch, better things can spring forth from it without being forced or overly planned out without a solid understanding of the real situation or the hands involved for a complete followthrough.
So basically,
Global economic meltdown = :(
Pie = :)
Also: Get ready for FREE PIE ATLANTA on May 24th. It’s guerilla style, anyone can do it, anywhere— email me for more information.
