Surviving the Mic – Jackson Santy

Blog Post #1

My name is Jackson Santy, and I have spent the past month and a half interning with Surviving the Mic. Surviving the Mic was founded by a group of local Slam poets who wanted to provide a space for survivors to process and create amidst the rising prevalence of sexual violence and culture of victim-blaming within the Chicago Slam community. With support from our partnerships alongside Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, the KLEO Center, and the Hyde Park Arts Center, Surviving the Mic produces monthly community engagement initiatives in brave and empowering space including the Live Open Mic & Podcast as well as a recurring Writing Workshop.

As the Community Engagement Intern and a Facilitator, I’ve had a major supporting role in the development and delivery of these programs. The events are intended to provide space to people telling the truths they need to tell. In the words of our founder, Nikki Patin: “It’s about speaking poetry to power.” Though one may assume that events of these nature are firmly asserted “Safe Spaces,” Surviving the Mic’s philosophy doesn’t label its programming as “Safe.” After careful consideration and critical conversation by organizational leadership, StM facilitators conduct events with the understanding that it is impossible to exclude triggers from these events as participants often share stories that they need to tell that might use language or imagery that could be upsetting or altogether triggering. That being said, Surviving the Mic is nonetheless dedicated to providing opportunities where people can be vulnerable, and their vulnerability is cared for and respected by all present.

This past month, I have spent my time assisting our Director in the processes involved in planning and providing intentional creative programs for survivors of sexual harm while, more personally, harnessing a deeper understanding of coalition-building by establishing and maintaining partnerships with local trauma-oriented organizations whose services overlap with ours. The day to day responsibilities have consisted of moderating our social media accounts and correspondences, finding and meeting with each event’s “Sponsored Organization of the Month,” and arranging free childcare services through our partnership with Chicago Childcare Collective. The latter of these responsibilities has been one area in particular where I have learned a great deal in regards to coalition-building.

Due to the fact that our founder is a single mother herself, the importance of accessible childcare at our events has remained an organizational priority. As organizers and facilitators, we rely on volunteers to support the participation of parents, especially mothers, in our justice work alongside survivors. Through my responsibilities around making this access possible during our programming, I have learned a valuable lesson in what it means to respond to the needs of the communities we hope to provide a space for. Across the spectrum of justice-based organizing, providing accessible means to childcare is integral in supporting the political participation of people of color, and poor and working class people who are caregivers of young children.

As my time with Surviving the Mic progresses, I believe that I have gained invaluable experience from time spent networking with childcare providers willing to work for free, as well as key insights from the conversations I’ve had with artists, activists, and parents alike who led me to recognize that these types of steps are part of a framework for allyship that allows us to better our efforts to meet a real need of grassroots organizations. Since those most often excluded from justice and healing work due to childcare are mothers, I am continuing to gain an understanding that this type of analysis of gender-based oppression is an integral part of this internship experience.