ArcNLN

I became involved with Indymedia during the WEF protest in NYC, Feb 2002. As part of Food Not Bombs I was interviewed by Carol from IMC Atlanta, and later, was recruited to help salvage some dumpstered computers with IMC-NYC's audio group. Through my career as an activist I've always been frustrated by the constant struggle against the corporate media's spin on what we were doing, or worse, complete ignorance of anything they didn't want to promote. I was also feeling like my time with Food Not Bombs was being wasted, but didn't know of any activist group outside of the Free Software movement which needed my skills.

Ithaca, meanwhile, had been dealing with these same issues. Large corps own most of the consumable media in Ithaca (Gannet through the Ithaca Journal and AOL/Time Warner for our TV, plus different corps owning the different radios), and the small scattered alternative media were far from effective at involving or reaching the general populus, but seemed to concentrate on only reaching other activists.

So, when I returned from NYC I talked with a few friends about starting an IMC, sent out announcements to various local orgs, and we held our first IMC meeting on February 16th, 2002.

My intent is, and has been since the beginning of the IMC, is to help expand the IMC to include as many diverse views as possible, thus creating a mainstream alternative to corporate media. I am not satisfied with mearly resisting the corporate media, I want to help replace it. This cannot be done alone, this task involves more social challenges than technical ones, but must continue to grow in both size and diversity if it is to succeed.

I also feel strongly for the merits of Free Software, not only as a technical or practical merits, but as a mechanism to outreach to more techs - a resource that most IMCs are desperatly lacking. In my mind techs are no different from any other form of activist, you won't attracte many blacks to a group that ignores civil rights or feminists that ignores womens rights.. the goal of an IMC is to be diverse and inclusive, to me that means recognising and assisting with each of these movements internally and in everyday practice.

I also recognise the importance that I not forever be in a position of being needed for the IMC's productivity to continue. Towards this end I want to train and encourage others to take on jobs which they will learn more about the workings of the IMC and also take a personal ownership in the IMC, beyond as just a story contributor. This can take many forms, from tech work to outreach, any skills or tasks which the IMC is dependent on me exclusivly for have to be shared and spread amoung many.

Lastly, I intend to put my energy where it will make the most impact. I will therefore assist in any way towards the creation of new working groups, other IMCs, or in expanding the IMC in ways not yet explored by others in the Indymedia network. Indymedia is quite young, after all, so many things have yet to be explored.

-- ArcNLN - 02 Dec 2002
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