[sudo-discuss] Inspiration for our SudoRoom writers group: a RPS Collective Scene Report

[Romy Ilano]

I thought this would be inspiring for our SudoRoom writers!

This is a scene report about our neighbors down the street, the RPS
Collective. They're also the ones who worked with Max and a few others to
paint our cool new clapboard sign that we put out on the street!

http://poczineproject.tumblr.com/post/44088110529/scene-report-rock-paper-scissors-collective

<http://poczineproject.tumblr.com/post/44088110529/scene-report-rock-paper-scissors-collective>

*Words and photos by Itoro
Udofia<http://poczineproject.tumblr.com/tagged/Itoro-Udofia>
, Legacy Series
Intern<http://poczineproject.tumblr.com/post/41868602951/meet-poczps-first-legacy-series-intern-itoro-udofia>
*

[image: Rock Paper Scissors Collective Feb
2013]<http://www.flickr.com/photos/poczineproject/8511298932/>

The Rock Paper Scissors Collective
(RPS)<http://rock%20paper%20scissors%20collective/> is
located in the heart of downtown Oakland’s cultural district. RPS holds one
of the largest zine libraries on the West Coast and, as its mission
statement says, it *“fosters creativity and collaboration in order to
strengthen local communities and encourage sustainable practices and
alternative models.”* RPS uses its space to hold many different aspects of
creativity - from zines; to visual art; to performances; to art making
workshops and (most importantly) forming collaborative relationships with
the community.

During my visit I immediately noticed the friendly and open atmosphere. I
was able to connect with Kristi, a collective member at RPS.

[image: EDIT: POCZP intern Itoro Udofia & RPS collective
member]<http://www.flickr.com/photos/poczineproject/8510217039/>

Kristi does a lot of community work and coordinates the youth intern
program. I observed several young women of color at RPC making zines as
part of their internship.

[image: Teen zinester of color at RPS, February
2013]<http://www.flickr.com/photos/poczineproject/8511309124/>

[image: RPS Collective
20]<http://www.flickr.com/photos/poczineproject/8511354170/>

Kristi informed me that RPS is in the middle of cataloging all their zines.
This made finding zines by POC during my visit challenging - but not
impossible, and we understand their constraints as a grassroots, volunteer
entity. Kristi was able to help me locate some zines by POC, which are
listed at the bottom of this post.

RPS is an example of what a thriving, deeply grassroots alternative space
can look like. This alone made the visit worth it, and I will be back again.

Here are five more things that you should know about Rock Paper Scissors
Collective’s community space:

*It’s a YOUTH SPACE*

Part of what makes RPS so vital to the community is that it creates a safe
and inclusive space for youth - specifically, I saw youth of color making
zines and coming in for the youth intern programing. RPS is known for its
youth programming, and thankfully it’s free or low cost. To see youth
coming in on a Thursday afternoon and having a free space to hang out was a
sight to behold.

*POCZP:* How does RPS serve the community?

*Kristi:* Everyone’s welcome here. It doesn’t matter who you are. We’re not
a museum/hands off gallery…We only showcase emerging artists, we do open
calls, group shows…everything is free and affordable…Anyone can teach
classes. Community collaborations are a major component here. We also run
programs at high schools and have a zine fest (East Bay Alternative Express
and Zine Expo).

RPS focuses on the need for art within the community. Zines are a facet of
that as, it is super alternative and accessible.

*BAY AREA COMMUNITY: RPS is **looking for volunteers to help catalog the
zine library on Sunday. Contact them if you’re interested in helping out! <3
*

*It’s an ACCESSIBLE SPACE*

The classes offered at RPS’s are free or low cost. Anyone can teach a
class, volunteer, and access the zine library. Its store sells clothing,
artwork and zines from local artists. It also gives an open call to artists
for exhibits. When inquiring further about zines, the staff member on site
spoke of zines being “alternative” and “a way for anyone to get their voice
out.” I was struck most by its accessibility in making art that responds to
the*community’s need* and fostering dialogue. That was my biggest take away
while being there.

*It’s a COLLABORATIVE SPACE*

RPS thrives most when it can collaborate and form relationships within the
community. They do work with schools, offer free workshops to the public,
and work with local artists (just to name a few of their collaborations).
Also, they can be seen at the East Bay Alternative Book and Zine Fest where
they are showcased every year!

*It’s a COMMUNITY SPACE*

A community space in the sense that it seeks to be a non-hierarchal,
inclusive organization, that turns no one who wants to volunteer or become
a member away. From speaking with some of the staff, the energy of wanting
to build and form a sustaining community was present. A volunteer came in
to paint the steps and there was an overall sense of camaraderie and joy
for the work.

*It’s a STRUGGLING AND OPEN SPACE*

I am always aware of the need for a space where there can be love and
struggle. And I would be remiss if I acted like everything is always *“a
walk in the park”* within the movement. Or more importantly, that our
spaces of struggle and those deep places where we need to decolonize cannot
be openly talked about.

So here it is: RPS is a grassroots collective trying to do a lot with a
little. Its zine library needs a lot of love and cataloguing. It also needs
to have a space where zines by POC can be easily accessed, located and
shared. Within our movement, this is a struggle, and I was happy at the
level of openness and receptiveness to having support in that.

If you’re on the West Coast and in the Bay area, walking around in Oakland,
check out the Rock Paper Scissors Collective. They are open on
Wednesday-Sunday, from 12-7 and located at 2278 Telegraph Avenue. See for
yourself and make your own assessment. Also, they are looking for Sunday
volunteers to help catalogue with the zine library. If you’re looking for a
place to support that is doing much needed community work, consider going
to RPS.

In the meantime, here are five zines by or about POC that I would
recommend. If you are ever at RPS please check them out.

1. *The Combination b*y Ashley
Nelson<http://www.amazon.com/The-Combination-Neighborhood-Story-Project/dp/1933368284>
in
collaboration with the Neighborhood Story Project

A moving personal-political soul trip of  one of the oldest housing
complexes in New Orleans.

[image: RPS zine library item: The Combination by Ashley
Nelson]<http://www.flickr.com/photos/poczineproject/8511432754/>

2.* Polarity* <http://www.endlesscanvas.bigcartel.com/product/polarity> by
Ras Terms

A metaphysical mind trip that explores the duality of spirituality and its
metaphysical roots.

[image: Polarity by Ras
Terms]<http://www.flickr.com/photos/poczineproject/8510478441/>

Ras Terms was born and raised in Miami. As part of the BSK and FS crews, he
was a pivotal figure in the Miami graffiti scene. Terms is a gifted
illustrator and painter who has provided many images for the Rastafarian
community. Since his arrival in the Bay Area he has established himself as
a character graffiti artist and has lent his talents to serve the community.

3. *EZLN Communiques: Memory from
Below*<https://secure.leftwingbooks.net/index.php?l=product_detail&p=246>

A zine about the Zapatista movement in Chiapas Mexico. Zapatista thought
and knowledge on the struggle against neoliberalism and predatory financial
institutions.  Published by Agit Press (formerly known as Porcupine Press)

[image: EZLN Comminques: Memory from
Below]<http://www.flickr.com/photos/poczineproject/8510438421/>

4. *ML* <http://marcoslafarga.com/>

A zine featuring the distinctive artwork and design from West Coast based
visual artist Marcus La Farga. http://marcoslafarga.com

[image: RPS 44] <http://www.flickr.com/photos/poczineproject/8511494812/>

5. *Murder Dollhouse* <http://murderdollhouse.com/> by Teppei Ando

Based in the 1920s, a beautifully illustrated comic book thriller about a
man who lives in an attic. Published by Volcano Productions.
http://murderdollhouse.com

[image: Murder Dollhouse by Teppei
Ando]<http://www.flickr.com/photos/poczineproject/8511453630/>

———————————————————

[image: Rock Paper Scissors
Collective]<http://www.flickr.com/photos/poczineproject/8511315660/>

“*rock paper scissors collective* <http://rpscollective.org/> is a
volunteer-run organization that fosters creativity and collaboration in
order to strengthen local communities and encourage sustainable practices
and alternative models. We promote the sharing of ideas, skills, and
resources through the celebration of art, craft, education, and
performance.”

questions -[at]- rpscollective -[dot]- org
510.238.9171
2278 Telegraph ave., Oakland, CA 94612
Hours: 12 - 7pm, Wednesday - Sunday.
Closed Monday and Tuesday.

*ABOUT ITORO UDOFIA*

*Itoro *is the first dedicated intern for the POC Zine Project’s Legacy
Series<http://poczineproject.tumblr.com/post/37042077000/legacy-zine-series-announcement>
. Itoro’s excited to support POCZP because ”it is *a collective that
uplifts and cares about what people of color have to say and acknowledges
what they have always said.” *Learn more about her
here<http://poczineproject.tumblr.com/post/41868602951/meet-poczps-first-legacy-series-intern-itoro-udofia>
.

*ABOUT ‘SCENE REPORTS’
*

*Would you like to help us create Scene Reports for every state? Contact
us: poczineproject at gmail.com.*

If you would like to invite POC Zine Project to your upcoming event, or
collaborate on a joint event, let us know!

*Editor’s Note: Itoro will be creating weekly Scene Report round ups. Make
sure to send us your zine event details so we can share! If it’s not
zine-related but possibly of interest to zinesters of color, we will share
that as well.*
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