Is MJN an arts collective? A climate activism network? A GOTV Initiative? All of the above? Not exactly.
MJN is a little of each, and our inaugural StreetWorks is one way we are crossing silos.
Dear Friends,
We’re less than 90 days out from Street Work Earth, our first street art festival dedicated to climate and environmental justice, on September 22, 2024, in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC, during New York Climate Week! It isn't too late if you haven't yet RSVP’d or passed it on!⚡
Street Works Earth is imagining public spaces as the galleries of the future. But justice isn't one-dimensional, and the just transition is… everything! As a multidisciplinary space, we're building Street Works to connect artists who don’t all focus on climate or environment with specialized experts. Check out the experts participating in creative conversations as artists build their projects.
Our dream is to show the genius of justice-centered artists in weaving complex issues and facilitating joyful listening — and fairly pay them. We welcome ideas for how to sustain this practice at collective@makejusticenormal.org.🪻
See you on the street!
Meet the Street Work Climate Experts
Meet the environmental and climate experts connecting with artists in creative conversations for the 2024 Street Work Earth. From interdisciplinary relationships come future friendships, collaboration, co-mentorship, and more.
Is MJN an arts collective? A climate activism network? A GOTV Initiative? All of the above? Not exactly.
As an organization seeking to make justice normal, we often get asked, “What do you do?” In our first year, MJN avoided preconceived ideas about what “programs” best served justice. We wanted to understand what we were fighting for.
In doing so, it became clear that normalizing justice was about structure. Private organizations — including nonprofits — rarely practice the 4 characteristics of just systems. We wanted to prioritize these characteristics and help others, too — no matter their programs. Today, we’ve decentralized our structure; collective members apply just governance in the practices they love. We’re learning how to support each person’s passions in solidarity. Learn more below.
Circular Leadership
We think of circular leadership as the ways in which we work alone and together to serve justice.
Practicing Democracy
“Is there not something worthy of perpetuation in our Indian spirit of democracy, where Earth, our mother, was free to all, and no one sought to impoverish or enslave his neighbor?” —Ohiyesa
Street Work Earth Artist Spotlights
Sabina Sethi Unni: community-centered disaster preparedness
Artist Spotlight: learn about Sabina Sethi Unni, a 2024 Street Work Earth participant and a public theater artist, organizer, and urban planner raising awareness about disaster preparedness.
Veggie Nuggets: fighting for compost education
Artist Spotlight: Learn about the Veggie Nuggets, a 2024 Street Work Earth participant and youth climate action group that participates in state and local advocacy and raises awareness about composting in NYC; check out their PSA!
TAKE ACTION!
Climate Justice Speaker Series
Interested in dialogue on climate justice with champions from around the world? Sign up for the Climate Justice Speaker Series by Shalu Umapathy, founder of Designing Impact. In August, MJN will be discussing how the arts can be of service to climate justice!
Are you registered to vote?
Learn how and start the process now! Don’t wait.
How to write a letter to get out the vote
Letter writing is a proven method of getting out the vote. Learn tips here and how to start your own letter-writing campaign.
To Support Our Work: Sponsor Us!
Email us at collective@makejusticenormal.org for more details.
"The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites one family. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself. The earth is sacred and men and animals are but one part of it." —Chief Seattle