Hello everyone, this is Michael. I recently posted about the death of the Franklin House, and laid out, what I felt, part of the reasons for the ceasing of activity here. I was wrong in some ways, and mostly reacting out of a space of hurt and confusion. I was hurt that yet another thing I was a part of building, was seeming to fall around me. I was confused at the lack of outrage from people at this prospect. I have decided though, after many days of meditation on this, that I am not willing to let go of these ideas so easily. I would very much like to see what we have built here grow and expand, making use of what we have learned to be negative aspects, and eliminating those things, but not eliminating any energy we have.
If anyone is interested in becoming collective members and taking the living space of those who are leaving, let us know and we can sit down and discuss all that this entails. If no one is interested in living here, but would like to see this place continue to grow and reshape our landscape, then let's find ways you can be involved.
There must be healing done here, that is for sure, and it must be done on all accounts of anything that has helped to bring us to a point of despair that led into the near dissolvement of all activities here. The next incarnation will hav eto be a core group of people that are aware of all of the aspects of a collective, and will probably require a period of learning about one another, and understanding each of our varied wants and needs in this community. The bottom line is, there are things that should bind us together beyond the small things that will tear us apart, and we must realize those things, and actualize them, mending along the way, the scrapes and bruises that will occur.
I am grateful to everyone who has been a part of building this place, and owe a debt to all of you, and that debt will be paid in persistence. I hoep that you can find it in yourself to become a part of this move, this energy, and add to it. I owe this rebirth of energy to our comrades, Jack Klatt, Sabyre, and the crew of the Catalyst info shop, in Prescott, AZ. Without speaking to the Catalyst, I am still reminded that we must, even if low in numbers and support, do what we feel is right. And this place jsut feels right to me.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thanks,But No Thanksgiving -- Nov. 28th
"The Human Race" -- Paleo
Thanks, But No Thanksgiving
with...
Judson Claiborne (Chris Salveter)
Paleo (David Strackany)
Matt Dill (...Matt Dill)
Vegetarian Potluck 3pm
Music all day long!
**if you need a ride, email us and we will try to find you a ride!**
franklinhousecollective@gmail.com
636-493-1239
Friday, November 14, 2008
The Franklin House
is dead.
As of January 1st, the Franklin House will no longer be operated as a collective or a community open space. It saddens me deeply, probably more deeply than I could ever convey, that this is the reality of the situation. The bottom is this:
A collective must maintain a high level of organization and communal involvement. We have severely lacked in this realm, and therefor suffer the consequences. This is not to say that people have not given a lot to the space, many of you have, and I know this will come as a loss to you as well. This is to say, though, that we appear to face the truth that "life-style" and "life" are very different ideas. I never had the intention of being a life-style based collective. We were not founded on the idea that there is an inherently better life-style choice to make, rather that we can make a better life, for ourselves, and for the world. We embraced ideas of change and experimentation, but fell in the follow through of committing to each other.
In many cases, we have seen the joys and beauty that can develop, and also have felt the pains of growth and of the demons of our former lives creeping in. We gave into our self motivated wants without taking into account the damage or lack of inclusion that this creates. There is not one person in this house that is not guilty of this unfortunate quality, but what is much more unfortunate is there is not a strong group of people here than help each other to overcome these ideas. We simply feel that conflict resolution means speaking out about your grievance and apologizing for your indiscretion. There is not sort of change of life involved, there is simply resentment built and trust destroyed.
We have tried to become something that none of us could support. I am sorry for this. I really do have a great amount of love for most of the people that either come here on a regular basis, or those that have found their way here but once and left a lasting mark in my life, and I am sure in the lives of others here. I am grateful for this. What I think is not understood by many people, is the difference between participating and dedicating.
Some of the people here have found the option of removal from the situation. Angela, Fair, Whitman, and myself have never had this option, and therefor have been pushed into full blown dedication. There is a vast amount of difference in perception here. Some perceive this house as something that is a fun thing to try. Others of us have found that this is our last hope for the world. Both were wrong, of course, and neither can reconcile that difference without a great amount of disappointment or anger.
If I were to take the time, in this post, to go over, line by line, the joys we have felt and the pains we have felt, it would read on forever. I will not put either you, as the reader, or myself, as the author, through this sentimental roller coaster. I will say, simply, I am exhausted. I will most likely lose some close friends in this, or those who I feel were close. I am resigned to accept this. It is nothing new, or shocking, when this happens. It is hurtful, yes, but I, having lived a lot of life in this small world, am aware that this happens. If it were not for this, there would be no gauge for the love I have felt before. Being a demanding person, I am often confused as being an asshole. That is understandable, but I defy anyone to find me to be more demanding than I am giving. I have given my life to this "idea". I have been proven to be a sucker for the dreams of better, and I do not apologize for that.
"I just wish we could have done more" - Bill Ayers
There were many things that I would have liked to create here, that now will never be. We had Howard Zinn and Derrick Jensen, Mark Rudd and a gang of poets ready to come here in person and lead a class or two in our "free university". That will not happen.
We have a collection of bikes that were to become the first ever St. Charles free bike program. They will be for sale in the spring, as an attempt to raise money for our move to Portland. If they do not sell, they will be free.
Angela's great idea of collectively made hand bags and fashions, that have potential buyers and supporters around the world, will never be.
The many bands and performers who found this space to be an oasis on their tour, will now be booked at a capitalist institution, likely to be drowned out by cash registers and cappuccinos. My deepest apologies for this.
These are but a few of the things that we were working on, that will not happen. This post is not meant to guilt people, rather to give a level of understanding as to what we failed at. This, at the very least, will be a great learning experience for some.
We will maintain our schedule through December, but as of January 1st, we are back to being a family home. This does not mean that you cannot come by and visit, but it will be a while before I will be ready for guests, I know that.
Let's try to make the best out of the next month, and I will do my best to focus on the positive. I promise that. Thanks again to all who have given and taken from this space. I will love that, forever.
As of January 1st, the Franklin House will no longer be operated as a collective or a community open space. It saddens me deeply, probably more deeply than I could ever convey, that this is the reality of the situation. The bottom is this:
A collective must maintain a high level of organization and communal involvement. We have severely lacked in this realm, and therefor suffer the consequences. This is not to say that people have not given a lot to the space, many of you have, and I know this will come as a loss to you as well. This is to say, though, that we appear to face the truth that "life-style" and "life" are very different ideas. I never had the intention of being a life-style based collective. We were not founded on the idea that there is an inherently better life-style choice to make, rather that we can make a better life, for ourselves, and for the world. We embraced ideas of change and experimentation, but fell in the follow through of committing to each other.
In many cases, we have seen the joys and beauty that can develop, and also have felt the pains of growth and of the demons of our former lives creeping in. We gave into our self motivated wants without taking into account the damage or lack of inclusion that this creates. There is not one person in this house that is not guilty of this unfortunate quality, but what is much more unfortunate is there is not a strong group of people here than help each other to overcome these ideas. We simply feel that conflict resolution means speaking out about your grievance and apologizing for your indiscretion. There is not sort of change of life involved, there is simply resentment built and trust destroyed.
We have tried to become something that none of us could support. I am sorry for this. I really do have a great amount of love for most of the people that either come here on a regular basis, or those that have found their way here but once and left a lasting mark in my life, and I am sure in the lives of others here. I am grateful for this. What I think is not understood by many people, is the difference between participating and dedicating.
Some of the people here have found the option of removal from the situation. Angela, Fair, Whitman, and myself have never had this option, and therefor have been pushed into full blown dedication. There is a vast amount of difference in perception here. Some perceive this house as something that is a fun thing to try. Others of us have found that this is our last hope for the world. Both were wrong, of course, and neither can reconcile that difference without a great amount of disappointment or anger.
If I were to take the time, in this post, to go over, line by line, the joys we have felt and the pains we have felt, it would read on forever. I will not put either you, as the reader, or myself, as the author, through this sentimental roller coaster. I will say, simply, I am exhausted. I will most likely lose some close friends in this, or those who I feel were close. I am resigned to accept this. It is nothing new, or shocking, when this happens. It is hurtful, yes, but I, having lived a lot of life in this small world, am aware that this happens. If it were not for this, there would be no gauge for the love I have felt before. Being a demanding person, I am often confused as being an asshole. That is understandable, but I defy anyone to find me to be more demanding than I am giving. I have given my life to this "idea". I have been proven to be a sucker for the dreams of better, and I do not apologize for that.
"I just wish we could have done more" - Bill Ayers
There were many things that I would have liked to create here, that now will never be. We had Howard Zinn and Derrick Jensen, Mark Rudd and a gang of poets ready to come here in person and lead a class or two in our "free university". That will not happen.
We have a collection of bikes that were to become the first ever St. Charles free bike program. They will be for sale in the spring, as an attempt to raise money for our move to Portland. If they do not sell, they will be free.
Angela's great idea of collectively made hand bags and fashions, that have potential buyers and supporters around the world, will never be.
The many bands and performers who found this space to be an oasis on their tour, will now be booked at a capitalist institution, likely to be drowned out by cash registers and cappuccinos. My deepest apologies for this.
These are but a few of the things that we were working on, that will not happen. This post is not meant to guilt people, rather to give a level of understanding as to what we failed at. This, at the very least, will be a great learning experience for some.
We will maintain our schedule through December, but as of January 1st, we are back to being a family home. This does not mean that you cannot come by and visit, but it will be a while before I will be ready for guests, I know that.
Let's try to make the best out of the next month, and I will do my best to focus on the positive. I promise that. Thanks again to all who have given and taken from this space. I will love that, forever.
Monday, November 10, 2008
MayDay Orchestra Wrecks Shit....Historically Speaking.
On May 2nd this year, St. Louis was introduced to the May Day Orchestra. An allstar group of sorts, composed of St. Louis' pioneers of what could be dubbed the St. Louis Folk sound. Members of Bad Folk, Theodore, and Rats and People came together with a full night of musical review, capitulating the story of the Haymarket Martyrs to verse that is worthy of that surrender.
They are back again, to perform the piece, in the day of the execution of some of the Martyrs of the anarchist revolt of 1886. Come on down to Black Bear Bakery, on Cherokee Street, in St. Louis, Tuesday, November 11th, at 7:00 to hear the sounds of our dead. This event is also a fundraiser for the RNC 8.
There is an eery conection to the RNC 8 and the Haymarket Martyrs. Both number eight individuals, all of which being anarchist or anarchist affiliated, both groups framed up on ridiculous charges by the state, and both garnering the wide spread support, internationally, from the anarchist community.
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