Leaders from the historically African American neighborhoods of Shiloh, Burton Street, East End and Stumptown are partnering with the Asheville-Buncombe African American Heritage Commission (AAHC) on the installation of historic markers in their neighborhoods. The goal of the historic markers … Continue reading Historic Markers Project
“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
The heaviness of things cannot be denied. A natural response is to close up and hide. And certainly making time for quiet introspection is healthy and necessary. At the same time, moving towards the light of love requires being open. … Continue reading Staying Open in October
“In these challenging times we need black and brown female voices more than ever, so that our nation’s song of freedom is truly in tune with our moral consciousness, and that keystone voices keep us in rhythm with justice and … Continue reading Keystone Voices
The news these days is heartbreaking. As oppression has always been. My skin color means I will never fully understand the trauma of racism. My heart calls me to feel as much as I can, and to be of service … Continue reading Trauma and Healing
Who shapes our memory? As my long-time readers know, I have a strong interest in history. Like many others, I believe understanding history is key to understanding our present, and essential if we are to create new frameworks for the … Continue reading Holding History
Public art and monuments can influence the collective narrative. They can provoke new possibilities or perpetuate old systems. They can impact identity and self-perception. Today I am reflecting on the public art of the When Women Disrupt tour and on Confederate … Continue reading Disrupt and Dismantle
I first heard the phrase “collective narrative” from Darin Waters, PhD in 2014 and it lit up my mind. His insights awakened me to the impact the stories we are immersed in have on how we see ourselves and each other. How our society operates. … Continue reading The Collective Narrative
Yesterday, within the space of a few hours, I found myself being moved to tears by three stories. Today I will share them with you. The first story, “Saving Nina Simone’s Birthplace as an Act of Art and Politics,” is … Continue reading Being Moved
This week I have the good fortune of being at the Virginia Key Grassroots Festival on Virginia Key in Miami, FL. This festival is the sister to the Fingerlakes Grassroots Festival in Trumansburg, NY and the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival … Continue reading Miami and Asheville
Ami Worthen 