[cw: slavery, war, execution] The dogwoods are blooming, reminding me that it is almost Asheville’s Emancipation Anniversary. I first learned this fact in 2015. That spring, I supported Date My City and the Center for Diversity Education in organizing an … Continue reading Asheville’s Emancipation Anniversary
We are water. We are water. We are water. Not exclusively, of course, yet essentially so. As Indigenous people continually remind us, water is life. Before anything else, I offer unceasing prayers of gratitude for the sustenance of water. While … Continue reading We are water
“Another turn of the wheel,” a friend recently noted as we discussed loss and love and the brilliance of a red fall leaf. Life presents reasons to feel grief and gratitude over and over. And so we keep taking care … Continue reading Onward in October
Anti-Blackness permeates the soul of our society. And while many are actively eradicating and healing from it, the fact remains that it continues to shape every area of our lives. As a writer, I am particularly aware of the ways … Continue reading Anti-Blackness and Media Reparations
Friends, as I’ve mentioned, I’ve been using my personal writing time for a long-term project, and have not had space to write for this site. In lieu of an essay, here are two recently released treasures to fortify your heart, … Continue reading Nourish Hope
What is crime? Today I am considering this question. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines crime as: 1. an illegal act for which someone can be punished by the government 2. a grave offense especially against morality 3. criminal activity 4. something reprehensible, foolish, or disgraceful. While … Continue reading What is crime?
As we untangle and examine the pieces of policy and practice that led us to racial inequities today, here are two very informative locally relevant videos to watch, and a timely call to action related to (you guessed it) the … Continue reading Policy, Practice, Praxis
As we build towards the future we want, we witness it manifesting around us right now. Here are a few local things I am celebrating at the moment: Different Wrld On the day before the Vance Monument starting coming down … Continue reading The Future is Now
Normal was the crisis. You know that. Which is why, instead of trying to “get back to normal,” we’re cultivating more life affirming alternatives. As I prepare to present the next topic, believe me I know it is one of … Continue reading normal was the crisis
Amidst the many reasons for grief and anger I am grateful for wildness and nature. I’m grateful for humans who are steadily moving towards being in right relationship with each other and the more than human world. That phrase – … Continue reading What could we be?
Ami Worthen 