Day 1, Entry #1 with Travis Turner discussing the Tuscaloosa tornado relief and upcoming project around town.
It’s hard to believe it’s almost been a year since the April storms. The media attention was intense for months after the damage was done, but the fire has, for the most part, died down. Local news has done a good job sustaining the dialog between students, community members and our elected officials. I know it’s hard to keep dwelling on something as gut- wrenching as losing one’s home/job/etc., but the positivity surrounding the community has been the bright spot needed for some of those families who lost everything. Driving up and down 10th Ave and Hargrove
Road makes it painfully evident of how long the recovery process will take. Getting houses rebuilt, businesses up and running again are the first steps, but also the environmental and psychological aspects we don’t see everyday are focuses that require more attention, in my opinion.
The resiliency of the community as a whole has been outstanding.
Through working at the University, I’ve seen character building first-hand from students from all over the country, as well as the globe, coming together to do whatever they can to contribute, whether it be taking plate lunches to volunteers, clearing rubble or dropping off donations. I think it speaks volumes of the potential Tuscaloosa holds as a community.
As an artist, there are plenty of ways to help out. I know Elliott is helping out with Tuscaloosa Get Up! that’s coming up in March. There were several other big name musical acts along with a few other weekend type festivals where proceeds went directly to helping rebuild. Help is help, period.
It doesn’t matter if you can’t be out there everyday participating. It’s understandable. I think the best way some of us as artists can contribute is also by continuing to use the inspiration and emotion the event has left us with to produce art with meaning, whether it be an idea like the Nest that is functional, or things like music/painting/writing that is both therapeutic and inspirational.
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