Writing as a Woman in a Body — to T Akin et al

I think it’s time to say ENOUGH! I want to say that on two levels.   FIRST –> I and we (women and men) have had enough of you who persist in the archaic notion that you have dominion over women simply because of the differences in our genitals.  Really? I know and understand from experience how difficult it is to have unearned privilege questioned.  It feels like you’re losing something –… Read More

The Hope in Opposition

NOTE:  An opposition in public discourse occurs when opinions on a given matter appear sharply polarized.  E.g., global warming is a problem: there’s no global warming.  From one view, opposition makes for intractability.  From another it makes for opportunity.  Listening and speaking across difference – the willingness and skill for that – makes the difference. A few trending Oppositions in admitted editorial rendering (i.e., I like all of us am biased by… Read More

Independence Shared

On the day the only living Pinta Island Giant Tortoise was found dead, fires raged in the foothills of the Colorado front range and the Supreme Court of the U.S. decided the state of Montana could not assert its 100+ year old legislative policy stating the corporations are not people.  It was raining in Portland, OR where today the sun peeks regularly between clouds making for dappled shadows instead of monochrome.  That… Read More

Climate — Listening to know for sure

I have a friend in South Dakota who lives in a town that flooded last month.  It was near completely under water.  I have another friend who lives in Akiak, Alaska who told me about the tundra taking on a smell, thawing for the first time in his life or in the lives of his ancestors who have lived there for many thousand years.  Then there was the photo my dad managed to… Read More

Delta Park Powwow: Fathers’ Day for a Change

“It will always be important to have a community of people who support each other and work together for the struggle, I guess.  Yes, for the struggle for all people.” Bruce McQuakay It took a bit of coaxing by the emcee, but today, 50 or so fathers made their way into the dance circle at the center of the Delta Park Powwow gathering for the honor song led by the Four Directions drum… Read More

Fire in the Hills

3-8-09 A fold in the Great Smoky Mountains HWY 23/441 I’ve pulled the car over to the side of the road again. Back to its adorable un-dented self, by the way, thanks to a week’s work on the part of the guys @ Gerber’s on Dekalb Industrial in Decatur, GA. Observing again the more conservative (not to mention, self preserving) practice of stopping the car in order to take a photo, I’m here… Read More