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THE
ETHNOGRAPHIC GAZE:
In many New York City communities, teenagers' coping with death has become a fact of life. City streets record the toll on building walls: "R.I.P. Tony, your Family Loves You. In memory of Anthony, 1971-1995." In the last ten years, these aerosol murals have become a visual staple of the cityscape, helping loved ones and communities mourn and express their loss. In the summer of 1999 a group of teenagers ventured into city neighborhoods to discover the stories behind R.I.P. memorial wall art. It was during this journey that many in the group began to express their own thoughts and feelings about death. This group were part of the Harlem Writers Crew Project and in Fall of 2000 the New School Graduate Faculty of Political and Social Science' was host to an exhibition based on their findings and experiences. The exhibition juxtaposed photographs with journal entries, fieldnotes, interviews and other fragments of text. Images were grouped as collages to capture the collective experience of the journey. Visitors to the exhibition were also encouraged to contribute their thoughts and reflections. The Harlem Writers Crew Project is a public non-profit, community based mentoring program, providing local teenagers with comprehensive educational assistance and access to resources such as writing workshops, media literacy, computer and video production facilities, conflict resolution and self-help opportunities. Terry Williams is Director of the Harlem Writers Crew and a key figure in making this exhibition possible. An Associate Professor at the Sociology Department, he specializes in the study of urban life, culture, race, poverty and sexuality. He is author of a number of books looking at 'hidden worlds' within the city; 'The Uptown Kids (1994); Crack House (1992); The Cocaine Kids (1989) and Growing Up Poor (1985). Recent courses taught by Terry Williams include 'Ethnographic Field Methods' and 'Sex in the City'. The Harlem Writers Crew Foundation can be contacted at: 65 Fifth Avenue, Suite
430 Tel: 212-2295798
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