Dear One Large:
I have to admit I've felt a bit uneasy with this project. Though I appreciate your intention wholeheartedly, I feel that some of the assumptions and design decisions the project makes are problematic. If you're trying to encourage people to seek out black-owned-businesses in their community, another method may have been more effective than offering a nominal sum, which seems like something between patronizing to the business and a bribe to the participant.
My corner restaurant is black-owned, and I dine there regularly without a second thought. The idea of telling the owner that I'm spending this $10 because she is black seems patronizing. I haven't quite found the right words to present a thoughtful critique and have been carefully examining my own assumptions to understand whether my unease comes from these or a problem with the project. I'm not sure yet, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. I have thought more about your project than any other at [the] Open Engagement [conference] this year, so thank you for that ;)
Looking forward to your reply,
KB
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Dear KB:
Thank you for your thoughtful questions, and for describing your situation.
I understand what you're saying: Telling someone you've known for a long time that you're making a "gift" of $10 would be strange. One Large is principally meant to create an interruption in a money flow, and to encourage people seek out businesses in their communities that they might not otherwise know about. There is no imperative to bring up the project at the business. The transaction is a catalyst, not a cure or a handout. The $10 sum is large enough that people will remember their commitment to the project, yet small enough to constitute an modest transaction—the idea being that spending money is an everyday experience, not something special.
For some, the assignment of making a purchase is a relief. It can be hard to start a conversation about race, but it's not hard to turn in dry cleaning or order food. The modest transaction is both formal and familiar. As a One Large participant, you would be entering the business because it is black-owned, not because the owner is black. One Large underlines business ownership and its importance in the shaping of cities and communities. If you return to the business, you return as a neighbor, customer, community member; perhaps the race of the owners recedes in your consciousness. Perhaps not. We propose that that's okay, too.
In your case, you could spend the money at your corner restaurant without mention. Or you could seek out a new business. Cindy and I consider your participation, even if you don't spend the money, meaningful. In fact, we consider your hesitation, and the thought you have given the process of spending the money, very important.
If you choose not to spend the money, will you fill out the form (anonymously, if you would like) and include your thoughts?
Thank you again for taking the time to write, and for giving us the opportunity to think carefully about this project. Your thoughts will help us as we move forward with future launches of One Large.
Yours,
Joy
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Hi Joy,
Thanks for your reply and openness to hearing my perspective. I will gladly fill out the form, and share my still-wandering thoughts.
As I read your email, I'm surprised to hear you say there's no imperative to share the project or the source of the bill with the business owner. I wonder then, who is the audience? Is it about solely changing the perspective of the person to whom you gave the $10? If that's the case, how did you select recipients - or participants - in this work?
Also, what's the difference between a black-owned business and one whose owner is black?
I'm curious if you've gotten similar responses from others too.
Thanks again for sparking a lot of good discussion among me and friends as we deliberate this work here.
Looking forward to your reply.
--------
Hello again:
The project creates a small interruption in a system of economic inequity. All One Large participants opt in. For the 2015 premiere, project volunteers approached people at a conference, described One Large, and asked whether they would like to participate. If the person said yes, they then made an agreement to spend the money at a black-owned business, reading the pledge to do so off a card.
If you received one of the $10 bills and do not wish to participate, that's totally fine. You may return the money.
Audience for art or theater traditionally has a passive role—that of receiver. In One Large, the participant has an active role and has freely made an obligation to participate. So, audience for this piece includes the participant, possibly friends or family of the participant (if they choose to talk about it). It may or may not include the business owner or employee/s. Each participant, then, has a different experience.
Regarding your question about the definition of black-owned: if the owner of a business says it is black-owned, then it is. It is up to the participant to ascertain that the business is black-owned. We offer a little guidance about this on our instructions page.
Thanks again for the care and seriousness of your questions.
Joy
I have to admit I've felt a bit uneasy with this project. Though I appreciate your intention wholeheartedly, I feel that some of the assumptions and design decisions the project makes are problematic. If you're trying to encourage people to seek out black-owned-businesses in their community, another method may have been more effective than offering a nominal sum, which seems like something between patronizing to the business and a bribe to the participant.
My corner restaurant is black-owned, and I dine there regularly without a second thought. The idea of telling the owner that I'm spending this $10 because she is black seems patronizing. I haven't quite found the right words to present a thoughtful critique and have been carefully examining my own assumptions to understand whether my unease comes from these or a problem with the project. I'm not sure yet, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. I have thought more about your project than any other at [the] Open Engagement [conference] this year, so thank you for that ;)
Looking forward to your reply,
KB
--------
Dear KB:
Thank you for your thoughtful questions, and for describing your situation.
I understand what you're saying: Telling someone you've known for a long time that you're making a "gift" of $10 would be strange. One Large is principally meant to create an interruption in a money flow, and to encourage people seek out businesses in their communities that they might not otherwise know about. There is no imperative to bring up the project at the business. The transaction is a catalyst, not a cure or a handout. The $10 sum is large enough that people will remember their commitment to the project, yet small enough to constitute an modest transaction—the idea being that spending money is an everyday experience, not something special.
For some, the assignment of making a purchase is a relief. It can be hard to start a conversation about race, but it's not hard to turn in dry cleaning or order food. The modest transaction is both formal and familiar. As a One Large participant, you would be entering the business because it is black-owned, not because the owner is black. One Large underlines business ownership and its importance in the shaping of cities and communities. If you return to the business, you return as a neighbor, customer, community member; perhaps the race of the owners recedes in your consciousness. Perhaps not. We propose that that's okay, too.
In your case, you could spend the money at your corner restaurant without mention. Or you could seek out a new business. Cindy and I consider your participation, even if you don't spend the money, meaningful. In fact, we consider your hesitation, and the thought you have given the process of spending the money, very important.
If you choose not to spend the money, will you fill out the form (anonymously, if you would like) and include your thoughts?
Thank you again for taking the time to write, and for giving us the opportunity to think carefully about this project. Your thoughts will help us as we move forward with future launches of One Large.
Yours,
Joy
--------
Hi Joy,
Thanks for your reply and openness to hearing my perspective. I will gladly fill out the form, and share my still-wandering thoughts.
As I read your email, I'm surprised to hear you say there's no imperative to share the project or the source of the bill with the business owner. I wonder then, who is the audience? Is it about solely changing the perspective of the person to whom you gave the $10? If that's the case, how did you select recipients - or participants - in this work?
Also, what's the difference between a black-owned business and one whose owner is black?
I'm curious if you've gotten similar responses from others too.
Thanks again for sparking a lot of good discussion among me and friends as we deliberate this work here.
Looking forward to your reply.
--------
Hello again:
The project creates a small interruption in a system of economic inequity. All One Large participants opt in. For the 2015 premiere, project volunteers approached people at a conference, described One Large, and asked whether they would like to participate. If the person said yes, they then made an agreement to spend the money at a black-owned business, reading the pledge to do so off a card.
If you received one of the $10 bills and do not wish to participate, that's totally fine. You may return the money.
Audience for art or theater traditionally has a passive role—that of receiver. In One Large, the participant has an active role and has freely made an obligation to participate. So, audience for this piece includes the participant, possibly friends or family of the participant (if they choose to talk about it). It may or may not include the business owner or employee/s. Each participant, then, has a different experience.
Regarding your question about the definition of black-owned: if the owner of a business says it is black-owned, then it is. It is up to the participant to ascertain that the business is black-owned. We offer a little guidance about this on our instructions page.
Thanks again for the care and seriousness of your questions.
Joy
One Large participant: KB
Email exchange
Race/ethnicity of participant: Preferred not to answer
Email exchange
Race/ethnicity of participant: Preferred not to answer
