Clarifying intentions

This is a good point to take a step back, and reiterate what this blog is all about:

A connection with place and space leads to an inherent respect for where we live.  This blog  aims to spark interest in ethic of place and therefore cultivate a reverence for our communities and neighborhoods--a respect for where we live is at the root of positive change. The goal is to connect people and to foster thought about ethic of place, space, community, and peace.

So what exactly do I mean by "ethic of place?" It is a concept I borrowed from Matt Klingle's book, Emerald City. Essentially, it is the idea that we form a unique connection to where we live based on culture, history, natural connection, and personal and communal traditions. As he states in the book, "place is history"-it is an inherent part of who we are as individuals, communities, and as a society. Our place and the important spaces within it grace us with a greater grounding and sense of connection.

 

                A hidden, moss-covered bird house in the trees of Cal Anderson Park.

Where do you find peace? Under a Japanese Maple

Francesca Murnan is a senior at Seattle University.
She finds peace under a Japanese maple on the northeastern side of Seattle University's campus.

How do you define peace?
Peace is a sense of well-being. It is a space where I can be alone, or comfortably let others into my space.

How does the tree conjure feelings of peace for you?
I go there at least once a week to feel centered. I like that it's a private space, but also outdoors. It is somewhere where I can be comfortable alone, or allow others to join me. When I am there alone, it is a totally different experience than when I am with other people.

Where do you find peace? The playground where my kids go to school.

Dan is a brokerage assistant at Wells Fargo bank
He finds peace at the playground of Clyde Hill Elementary

How does Clyde Hill Elementary conjure peace for you?
Life as a father is extremely hectic, and it's actually really hard to think of times hwne I am completely peaceful.However,  I really enjoy sitting on the bench on the playground of my childrens' school. My children bring me peace and I enjoy sitting, resting, and watching them have fun and play. This is my most peaceful spot in Seattle.

Where do you find peace? The Fremont neighborhood.

During the Fremont Solstice Parade on 6/18 I had a chance to briefly talk with some residents about where they find peace in their neighborhood...

Where do you find peace in Fremont?:
Overwhelmingly, answers suggested a sense of community and belonging in the neighborhood. The many people I briefly talked with stated that they find peace in the tight-knit community and shared values of Fremont.

"I've lived here for 5 years, and every year I feel closer and closer to my neighborhood"

Where do you find peace? Safeway.

Rebecca Recinos is a senior Liberal Studies major at Seattle University.
She finds peace at Safeway grocery stores.

How do you define peace?
Peace is feeling a sense that everything is ok. Even if it's brief, peace is being able to relax and feel grounded. It is a feeling of home, of something safe and familiar and a feeling of genuine happiness.

What about Safeway conjures peace for you?
Part of it is the familiarity of it, it's like a piece of home. Safeway is the one store in Seattle that is also in California, where I grew up. My grandma was really into grocery shopping and she made it a full day affair. She'd check the papers and if there was a sale we would head straight to the grocery store post haste. She'd circle everything from the coupons that she wanted to buy and I'd head to the grocery store with her.  I was the only one of the grandkids who actually liked grocery shopping with her. We would walk around the store for hours and she'd teach me about saving and what kind of food to buy. I had a great time doing it. Whenever I called her on the phone, we'd talk about groceries. Whenever I'm stressed out or upset, I notice I always go to grocery stores (especially Safeway) and feel better.

Do you have any particular memories or stories you want to share?
My first or second week of freshman year I was feeling particularly lonely and I was trying to think of what would make me feel better. I ended up walking to the 23rd and Madison Safeway and bought some funfetti cake and tortillas. On the way back to my dorm I felt so much better. That was the first time that I realized the connection I felt to these grocery stores and my grandma's influence and presence among them.
Later, at her funeral, I brought the grocery store papers and circled everything I knew she would have liked and put them in her coffin. Nowadays, it makes me really happy when I get my paycheck and head to the Safeway for groceries. I walk the aisles and think of my grandma. Sometimes, I'll call my mom when I'm at Safeway because she is the closest connection to my grandma. I feel grounded and happy here.

Where do you find peace? My church.

Kelly Glenn lives in the Central District of Seattle
She finds peace at her church: Washington Cathedral in Redmond.

How do you define peace?
The ability to hear my own thoughts

What about church conjures feelings of peace for you?
A sense of community and being tied to deep parts of myself. Also, there's a sense of comfort and tradition to it, it's something I've done my entire life.

Any special memories or stories?
There are several times when the music has been so soothing that I feel as if God is speaking to me through it.

Where do you find peace? Kerry Park.

Corinne Mahoro is a senior at Seattle University.
She finds peace at Kerry Park in Queen Anne.

How do you define peace?
Peace is so broad, but when I talk about peace at Kerry Park, it is a very personal peace. It is a place where my mind is free of stress or things that make me unhappy. Whenever I am there I don't feel stressed, I just feel good.

What else about Kerry Park makes you feel peaceful?
The atmosphere is just beautiful. There's a breeze of fresh air which takes away all stress and makes you feel invigorated. The sight of the Seattle skyline is also something you don't always get to see very often. Also, I love that even if it is full of strangers you feel like you all know each other and you feel happy.

Any special memories or stories about Kerry Park?
I had my first date in Seattle here.

Where do you find peace? Volunteer Park.

Amy Tower is a junior Philosophy Major at Seattle University.
She finds peace at Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill. Especially by the Water Reservoir.

How do you define peace?
Being fully engaged while not feeling anxious.

What about Volunteer Park conjures feelings of peace for you?
The environment is just gorgeous. You can see the space needle and beautiful views of the city-scape and urban environment, but there are still a lot of trees and green spaces. I love everything about the park: the koi in the pond, the variety of people, the dogs, and the children. It's not crowded, but there's a constant flow of people. You can be in solitude, but not feel alone.

Do you have any special memories or stories about this place?
When I'm good and disciplined enough to go on a jog, I usually end up here. I feel like I've arrived at a destination. There are a lot of peaceful places in Seattle, but this is one of my favorites.

Refining by Defining...

From The Oxford English Dictionary :

peace, n.Pronunciation:  Brit. /piːs/ , U.S. /pis/

Etymology:  < Anglo-Norman pes, peas, pees, pais, etc., and Old French pais, pes, pez, Old French, Middle French, French paixtranquillity in relations between two or more individuals (second half of the 10th cent.), state of tranquillity which comes about as a result of fulfilling religious duties (c1050), peaceful relations between fellow citizens (c1100), condition of a nation or state which is not at war (c1100), freedom from anxiety or inner conflict (12th cent.), truce (c1200), peace treaty (1317)  

a. Freedom from civil unrest or disorder; public order and security

b. With the: the public order of a state as provided for by law.

2. Freedom from quarrels or dissension between individuals (or, esp. in early use, between an individual and God); a state of friendliness; amity, concord.

Freedom from anxiety, disturbance (emotional, mental, or spiritual), or inner conflict; calm, tranquillity.

b. With of and the name of the organ, faculty, etc., in which such peace is considered to reside; now esp. in peace of mind.

 a. Freedom from external disturbance, interference, or perturbation, esp. as a condition of an individual. Freq. in in peace. Also (more emphatically) peace and quiet (also peace and quietness).

5. Absence of noise, movement, or activity; stillness, quiet.

Where do you find peace? Dusty Strings in Fremont.

Cydni Carter is a Junior at Seattle University.
She finds peace at Dusty Strings music shop in Fremont.

How do you define peace?
It's a period of time when you don't feel overwhelmed and you feel present.

What about Dusty Strings makes you feel peaceful?
Music is very grounding for me and when I'm playing music I'm not thinking about anything else in my life. Also, every time I've been to Dusty Strings I've been with my dad. We always play the ukulele, they have some really cool vintage ones there.
I connect music with peace because of my dad. He has been a talented musician since long before I was born and he's such a relaxed,grounded guy.

Do you have any special memories or stories?
One time when my dad and I went we picked up some ukuleles and started playing Wagon Wheel. The entire store including the employees stopped to listen.

Where do you find peace? My garden plot.

Sarah McHugh, student at Seattle University.
Sarah finds peace within her garden plot on the Southeastern side of Seattle University's campus
"My goal isn't necessarily peace, it's social justice. Within social justice you have peace."

How do you define peace?
I define peace generally as a lack of evil. I think with peace of mind comes outward peace and I need that peace of mind to ensure that outward peace.

What about your garden plot conjures peace for you?
Weeding, harvesting, and gardening is not only a stress reliever, but it's about the ethics of growing and creating your own food. Growing my own food ensures that I create peace within my food system because I know where the food is coming from and the work that goes into it. Our food system today is controversial, and it's important to not support any unjust acts related to our food system and labor.

Do you have any special memories related to this place?
I originally shared the garden with my best friend and roomate. With such busy schedules, it was nice to work together on a project and create a community through our shared work. My goal isn't necessarily peace, it's social justice. Within social justice you have peace. For me, my garden is all about creating a just and healthy food system in which everything is socially and environmentally just. I do this in the little ways I can, especially through my garden.

Let the experiment begin!

Welcome to the Seattle Place and Peace blog, an exploration of how we find connection to our neighborhoods and communities within our city. This blog will focus on individual stories and experiences based on the concept of "ethic of place."

I first stumbled upon this concept in the (wonderful) book Emerald City by Matt Klingle. Ethic of place is artfully defined and articulated by Klingle as:
"We need to rethink what an attention to history, human and non-human, can offer. To do this we must fully understand the notion of an ethic of place. At its core, such an ethic links the necessity for social justice to the importance of protecting the environment. According to legal scholar Charles Wilkinson, this ethic rests upon the recognition that humans rely on 'the subtle, intangible, but soul-deep mix of landscape, smells, sounds, history...that constitutes as place, a homeland" (Klingle, 6).

So in a nutshell....how do we connect to Seattle and why? What is the significance and history of this place we call home?