US Social Forum: Carnival, classroom, family reunion

Halfway through the week-long US Social Forum, it's clear: I am not at a mere political conference. I am at a cultural carnival, an open-air classroom, and an activist family reunion with 20,000 of my crazy cousins. It's amazing, exhausting, and amazing all over again. There's so much going on, it's hard to wrap your head around it. Earlier this afternoon, there was over 200 workshops, two concerts, a spontaneous march down the street, a friend of mine almost getting arrested for handing out fliers (the Detroit police haven't been as welcoming as the actual community), and a multigenerational, World Cup-inspired soccer game -- all going on at the same time! This type of beautiful chaos has its pros and cons. On one hand, the autonomous community and DIY energy creates a safe, welcoming space where people can find their own place (and pace) at the forum. At the same time though, it makes it harder to ensure accountability and concrete steps moving forward after we leave Detroit.