There are many reasons for anger and hopelessness. The struggle to dismantle systems of oppression is overwhelming. Humans can be disappointing. Horrors abound. In the face of dismay, I maintain a practice of turning my attention to inspirations, those creating … Continue reading Good News
On Saturday, Sheneika Smith of Date My City hosted a Community Media Mixer at Xpand Fest. We heard from Johnnie Grant of the Urban News, DeWayne Barton of Hood Huggers, and K.P. Whaley of Asheville FM. They told personal stories … Continue reading Appreciation and Advocacy
I started shaving my legs in sixth grade, after an impassioned campaign begging my mom to let me. Other girls my age had shaved, smooth, hairless legs, and I desperately wanted to be like them. Images on T.V. and in … Continue reading More Time for the Revolution
As I’ve written before, I am a big believer in the power community media and art for social change. Here are a few upcoming happenings with art and community media at the center. Creative Voices for Social Justice From their press … Continue reading Creativity, Justice, and Community Media
Beer has spread like kudzu over Asheville, NC. We are drowning in a beer tsunami. In this moment, we can’t ignore the troubling implications of being Beer City U.S.A. Bloated with beer (and money from it) A 2017 smartasset study … Continue reading Beer is a Bummer
Just before sunrise, birds begin their “dawn chorus,” singing melodic, jubilant songs in the first light of morning. The music of birdsong welcomes the sun all the way around the globe each day, as it has for over 25 million … Continue reading Pause
Who shapes our collective narrative and how? Today I’m fired up about the positive potential of community media. According to Wikipedia, “Community media is any form of media that is created and controlled by a community, either a geographic community or a community of identity or interest. Community media is … Continue reading Community Media
Let’s celebrate the power of words! I am proud to be a part of the 2017 Mountain of Words Write-A-Thon fundraiser for Asheville Writers in the Schools & Community (AWITSC). For this, I’ll be writing up a storm between now and … Continue reading Mountain of Words & More
“On this year’s Dia De Los Muertos, we are remembering those killed by the Prison Industrial Complex. From jails to detention centers, police and ICE collaborations to the targeting of our people, we are lifting up the death-dealing realities in … Continue reading News and Notes
My ROOTS Week experience included daily “Undoing Oppressions” workshops. You can find me in the picture below at one of those workshops during an exercise about intersectionality. The complexities are overwhelming, and essential to face. I’m still processing the insights … Continue reading A Medley of Stories
