15 Reasons to Support Pan Left
July 1, 2009
Dear Randy,Last week, you received e-mails from Pan Left members and supporters asking for your contribution in celebration of the collective’s 15th anniversary. Lisa, Jeff, Bev, and Heather each gave their reasons why they think Pan Left is important–and why it needs your support now. If you’re still looking for reasons to support Pan Left now, following are the top 15 reasons why I do.
Pan Left:
- Tells real stories of real people. One of Those Girls (1999), through the stories of five young mothers, presents what “those girls” think about themselves, their children, and their future.Desert Hate (2000) tells the story of stabbing of a gay University of Arizona student, and the community reaction. The Heart and the Monster: A Journey to Cananea (2002) tells the story of the environmental and economic degradation of a small mining town in Northern Mexico and the effects on one family. Immigrant Worker Freedom Ride (2003) documents the historic, cross-country trip of immigrant workers and supporters from Tucson. I could go on.
- Turns a lens on issues the mainstream media misrepresent—or ignore. For 15 years, Pan Left videos have focused on issues that the media misrepresent—or ignore. It began with the very first work, Elephants and Grass by co-founders Lisa Wise and Jeff Imig; it continues with the work of the newest members, such as Ron Austin’s work with the Center for Creative Chaos, creating videos telling the real stories of homelessness.
- Supports youth in finding their voice. In 2008, Pan Left was awarded the Youth Voice Advocate Award by the Every Voice in Action Foundation, for its work with youth. Why? Because collaborative projects like “As I See It” with City High students, “That’s My Take” with teens from the Pima County Public Library, and “Across the Tracks” with the Dunbar/Spring & Barrio Anita Youth Video Project have provided youth with the tools to use video to give voice to their interests and concerns.
- Supports adults in finding their voice. Many people come to Pan Left with a desire to tell a story—and with no formal training in making videos. Pan Left provides mentoring and support that helps people to bring their stories to life on the screen.
- Supports indie media makers. Every Pan Left production is the epitome of indie media; videos are made on a shoestring budget. Pan Left provides access to equipment and support that makes low-budget yet cutting-edge production possible— projects like Steev Hise’s News on the Line.
- Works with visual and performing artists. Part of Pan Left’s mission is to work with all types of artists, to promote creative expression. We’ve hosted art exhibitions, conducted workshops for artists teaching how to create digital samples, produced concernt and music videos with musicians like Pepo Saavedra, Amy Rude and Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta.
- Is committed to social justice. Using media to further issues of social justice is at the center of Pan Left’s work. The collective is proud to have been certified in Agitation and Hope by activists and organizers from WTO arrests in Seattle 1999, to have developed a video that spread the word about the Coalition of Immokaleee Workers’ struggle against Taco Bell, to have been present to document a delegation from Palestine when they visited the US border with Mexico, and to document countless marches, demonstrations, and protests.
- Collaborates with community organizations. The collective collaborates with a diverse range of organizations—from the Coalicion de Derechos Humanos to Wingspan to the Pima County Public Library—to further the missions of both Pan Left and its partner organizations. Recently, members collaborated with the Battered Immigrant Women’s Project , on a powerful project in which immigrant women who survived domestic violence told their own stories in their own words.
- Presents screenings, festivals, and events for the community to participate in media making. Pan Left presents a variety of community screenings and festivals that have showcase independent video from around the world. The collective hosts events, such as its Video Postcard to Obama, that provide comunity members the space to participate in media making.
- Presents very unique arts events. Think art exhibition meets community rally meets concert. Pan Left brings together audiences, visual artists, musicians, media artists, and community activists in ways that others don’t. Four More Years: Artists Respond to Bush. Rasquacho Art Show. Synaesthesia.
- Has members who take the work seriously but not themselves. The collective meets twice a month, to orient new members, to plan, to review projects in progress, and to have a little fun. We’ve been called “Tucson’s loveable leftists”; join us for a meeting and you’ll see why.
- Reflects, represents, and is a part of the community. The Pan Left members and volunteers are diverse, because participation is open to all.
- Questions . . . everything. Well, maybe not everything. Pan Left videos do ask important questions; sometimes the works answer the questions, and sometimes they leave the viewer to determine the appropriate response. Always, the questions prompt one to think about the issues more deeply.
- Is the only organization in Arizona doing this type of work, and is one of only a few in the country. Even in this You Tube, citizen-journalist, video-on-your-cell-phone era, Pan Left is unique. We create and distribute videos that educate and expose viewers to social, political and cultural issues. We promote independent media production and creative expression. We provide an outlet for creative, artistic expression and dialogue. We puts the tools of production into the hands of people who are not equally represented in the mainstream media, to give equal voice. We provide services to allied, progressive non-profits to help them further their social justice missions.
- Has people like you who support the work. Pan Left has done all this work on a very small budget. Your support made all of the things above possible; it is only with your support now that the work can continue.
Those are the top 15 reasons I give to Pan Left; they far outweigh any excuses I can think of to not give. Our goal is to raise $15,000 in celebration of Pan Left’s 15th anniversary. If you, and everyone of our core supporters, contribute $20, we can achieve that goal—and continue the amazing range of things that we do—together.
Donate now —online via PayPal or by sending your check to Pan Left. No donation is too small, or too large. Your contribution will make a difference—today, tomorrow, and for many anniversaries to come.
Thanks for your support,
Liz Burton
