Freedom Market: Taking Back a Corner Market

• In Event: Roundtable Session 66
  In Roundtable Session: Transforming Urban Spaces for Democratic Education

Abstract

This paper draws on our long-term participatory ethnographic research in one urban neighborhood to illustrate how community activists worked to transform the ubiquitous “corner store” into an interaction-based educational space. Given the importance of healthy foods in children’s development and learning, as well as community health and well being, this study uses a critical geography approach to understand and support ties from this initiative to community-based action. Through participatory ethnography, we work with residents and activists to reclaim schools and food production and distribution, tying research and ‘on the ground’ action together. With community residents, we developed what participants termed “community based evidence” as an important resource for the interaction-based component of the project.

Authors

• Joanne C. Larson, University of Rochester

• Nancy Ares, University of Rochester

• George Moses, Freedom Schools