(Photo by David Goldman/AP Images for WaterAid)
WaterAid’s giant poo costume is not getting the warmest of New York receptions.
It was intended to raise awareness of the oft-neglected topic of sanitation as it is left behind by many governments – even being an issue that results in 4000 children dying every single day in the developing world.
However, it was banned from the Lincoln Center Plaza and also from the Digital Media Lounge of the UN Foundation. Nobody wants to talk about that, but we do. I talked thus to Kate Norgrove to know more about it.
After witnessing that, I went to talk to the police officers who ‘asked’ for the poo to leave the place. I wanted to know the reason and from whom such order came.
I approached them and asked kindly for the information. They did nothing but staring at me. When they realized I was handling a camera, they just freaked out and wanted to check if it was on or off.
Can you believe that happening in NYC?! If it came about in any piece of land in Africa or the Middle East, American people would say pointedly that it was censorship.
And now, is it?
The poo costume is a fresh new way to call attention and trigger discussion on that topic. It is a well-intentioned action that needs eyecatching measures.
Even so, the ban is still imposed in a veiled way.
And as I could see, the Stand up event had a very limited reach and impact on people. Tell the police officers.
(Photo by David Goldman/AP Images for WaterAid)
So the Lincoln Center Plaza is too good for a walking poo? What a shame.
As or the police officers - well it ain’t their fault, they were just following orders. The weird thing is that Water Aid weren’t even explained why the poo had been banned, as I understand. Reputation? What kind of explanation is that?
What a random idea! Thanks for sharing. Hope are had a fab time!
I share your views Giedre. Perhaps, the review summit should have been…mmm, say in Africa? There, they can really see that it’s a long way to go. Or even here in Asia.
That’s an idea, Iris!
@Luan, I was meant to ask you - what was the atmosphere in the city itself during the summit? Anything in the papers, apart from the usual UN jargon and pleas for more money? More incidents like this poo one? I know you said in your previous post that nobody really wanted to Stand Up.. was that the general feeling? Cheers!
Hello - the poo story got into the American News ‘Daily News’ which is a big New York newspaper. What was exciting about that for me was that one of our VOCIE bloggers wrote about it straight away and then tweeted it. Then there were loads of tweets at the DML and then this journalist spoke to me about it and convinced her editor to do that as a story rather than about an Iran protest! After this week in New York am convinced blogging will take over the news…
http://liberalengland.blogspot.com/2010/09/giant-poo-costume-banned-from-un-media.html
@Giedre, my impression is that the media was mainly interested in two things regarding UN summit: the presence of Ahmadinejad in the city, and traffic disruptions because of the summit. That’s my impression from brief morning TV watching. However, various side events, which we in fact attended, give another dimension to that impression, showing that various actors and organizations, coupled with online media, showing that not all things depend on the big ones. At least when it comes to discussing issues, if not solving problems
Ok, I’m too tired and the comment is completely confusing, but maybe you’ll be able to get something from it. I’ll do better another day, hopefully:)
Sorry for my late reply, all of you. And thank you for reading.
Well, there is not a good explanation for that. It’s absurd.
Maybe you’re all right. It should have been done in any other place…
About your interesting question, Giedre, I will write a post focused on that right now. Hope I can give you all what NY was like. What Larisa said is pretty right…
Love the photos…!
Why was it banned - probably for the very simply reason it was a giant poo and some people might find it irreverent?!!? I imagine WaterAid knew that it would be controversial and the poo wouldn’t be able to wander the hallowed halls - it makes for better headlines to be kicked out anyway.
@Jodi, thanks for checking it. But I’m afraid I have to disagree a bit. I don’t believe it happened because people found it irrelevant. I tend to believe, as a witness, that it was most because of the reputation. People are much on it and give much value to it, specially in America. I also firmly believe WaterAid knew it would call attention, as I said they looked for eyecatching measures, but would call attention as it was something different, not because it would appear controversial. It does not justify the fact that it (a ridiculous censorship) happened in a spearheading and leading-edge city like NYC.