Josh on the Street

I’m Back!

joshonthestreet — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 05:13:24 +0000

Geez, blogging is hard! After reading the paper in the morning, checking Facebook, working full-time, tweeting, watching the news, etc., it’s difficult to find time to compose and share one’s thoughts. However, I do feel like I have stuff to say. So, in 2011, I want to rededicate myself to making this blog work!

Since my last blog-post I have been busy. As you know, I like to make videos. And for much of the summer and fall of 2010, I got the privilege to direct and produce a very special documentary video – one which highlights the 20th anniversary of an amazing organization called Community Coalition. I actually am the Director of Special Media at this awesome organization, and we are committed to community organizing in South Los Angeles. That’s right, I said the big “C.O.” word, and we’re damn proud of it. We believe the residents of South L.A. have the power to create change, and that the people in South L.A. are the communities’ most valuable asset. Check-out the video to see some of our work!

This was my first time taking on video a project of this scope and scale, and boy was it a massive undertaking (25+ interviews, scheduling, planning, archival research, weeks and weeks of editing, rough cuts, re-cuts, etc., etc.!) I’m extremely happy with how the final product came out, and I’d like to do more projects like this in the future. In the meantime though, I’m very happy to return to working on smaller video projects. I have one in the works right now, so keep on the lookout for a new video in the near future. Thanks for everyone’s continued support of my work, and it’s good to be back!

“Big Government”

joshonthestreet — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 20:50:04 +0000

I made this video a few months ago to poke fun at the Anti-Government hysterics and “socialist” conspiracy theories flying around during the Health Care Reform debate. The positive response that I received inspired me to create “Josh on the Street” and make more videos! And yes, we need a public option with healthcare – just like we have with our university system. Go Bruins.

Immigration Check Point Props

joshonthestreet — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 21:12:04 +0000

The Immigration Check Point video has received some nice accolades! ColorLines, the national magazine on race and politics, highlighted it as one of the web’s “10 Most Viral Immigration Parodies”

It also received a mention on the blog, Racialicious, as one of “Three Things to do to Take Action Against Native American Bigotry”

Again, I am totally floored and humbled by all the positive feedback and supportive comments. Thank you to everyone for the love and kind words. I am very grateful, and feel energized to do more!!

Wow!

joshonthestreet — Fri, 28 May 2010 05:33:30 +0000

What an amazing beginning to Josh on the Street! This past week I have been overwhelmed by all the love and positive feedback from so many inspirational people. I am truly humbled by all the kind words and support.

The Immigration Check Point video has recorded over 18,000 views on YouTube and counting! Again, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. It seems like the video really struck a chord with folks who appreciate that this is a complex issue, and the simple narrative of “Good Guys vs. Bad Guys” just doesn’t fit.

I already have some ideas percolating as to a follow-up video. Please stay tuned, and thanks for joining me on this journey.

In the meantime, here are a couple of my favorite comments posted on the Immigration Check Point video on Youtube:

“It’s to show us that no one is entitled to this land mass except Native Americans.
It is to remind us that this country was founded by illegal immigrants, and built by immigrants who were legal, under the laws made by the anchor babies of the illegal immigrants.
It’s really to show us how we are children on the playground, trying to kick other kids out of the sandbox that we don’t fucking own in the first place, and how weak and pathetic that is.”

“I live in AZ, and I have all 27 years of my life, and I’m white.
I don’t see an illegal immigration problem. I see a war on drugs problem, and a problem with our naturalization process.
No immigrant, legal, or illegal has ever affected me in ANY WAY.
So why are other people so concerned?
Because soon, AZ might have more Hispanics than whites, and let’s be honest-that is a tragedy to a lot of people, so they’re trying to do something.
Grow some balls and be honest.”

Immigration Check-Point

joshonthestreet — Thu, 20 May 2010 22:29:30 +0000

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or have been consumed by American Idol), you know about the controversy surrounding the recent Arizona immigration law. I like playing the game of “flip the script,” and wondering “what if” things were to play out differently? I think we turn out as better people, and our country is strengthened, when we stop to exam an issue from many perspectives. Enjoy.

Josh on the Street Launches

joshonthestreet — Wed, 19 May 2010 06:08:07 +0000

Hello! And welcome to Josh on the Street.

Since I was 12 years old and first picked up a video camera, I loved making videos. Twenty plus years later I’m still at it. Early on I recognized that a camera is a powerful tool, and I dreamt of exploring different social issues through a lens. This blog is an attempt to recognize that dream.

I’m not sure what will come of this experiment. This is my first blog. I ask only for some patience as I perhaps stumble through a blogger learning curve, and I also ask for an open-mind.

Thanks and I look forward to your snarky blogger remarks.

-Josh