A summer working with the US Census helped me discover why this every-ten-year event is so important.
We, as a black community, live in a continual state of the past, the present and the future existing in the same frequency, at the same time. The past that haunts and informs us, the present that we are defiantly joyful in, and our speculative futures. Our joy is loud and clanging because we know it is tenuous.Ā Ā
This summer was full and busy. Somehow the time has managed to fly by. The warm long days are giving way to the shorter, cooler, and dry days of fall. Iām looking forward to sweater weather, but I'm going to miss those later sunsets.
The past four-ish months Iāve spent my time working for the 2020 US Census. As a Census Field Supervisor I found the experience both rewarding and incredibly challenging. Mandated by the US Constitution, the Decennial (every 10 year) Census sets about the task of counting each person living in the United States. What that meant for me was that at any given time I had a team of 15-30 enumerators knocking on doors and trying to count our communityās population. But that was not our only task. We were also responsible for verifying self reported information, confirming submitted address info, and then doing a whole range of internal quality control processes.
Census data is key to apportionment of federal and civic dollars for everything from school lunch programs, healthcare clinics, and municipal rec centers to governmental representation on the federal, state, and local levels. When a non-profit is applying for federal or state grant money for a local project, census data can be used. A newspaper analysis showing the effects of the Coronavirus on poorer communities - census data figures in.Ā
For me, the census has taken on more than just dollars or local and federal governance.Ā When recently I was gifted the opportunity to work with a genealogist to trace my family's history, some of the interesting points of my family history were revealed by historic census records.Ā
The census is a snapshot of history as it is happening in the moment. It can be a link between who and where we are now, and who and where our future relatives will be in generations to come. That is an exciting prospect. In the far distant future individuals in my family line will be able to trace their heritage back to a distant relative who lived through political upheaval, a moral awakening, and at least two pandemics that decimated far too many people. I can only hope that my part of their history will give them a connection to the past and show them how far they have come.
In a world that is increasingly divisive the ability to create human connection through food will always remain. We can begin to bridge these connections right at home in our own kitchens.Ā
- Khamini Harinarain Fennelly
With tomato season coming to a close, my friends and I have been trying to use up as many fresh tomatoes as we can. And one of the simplest ways is homemade Pico de Gallo or Salsa Fresca. Around our house we just call itĀ āSalsaā. From what I was able to discover, the origins of Salsa Fresca can be traced back to Inca, Mayan, and even Aztec cultures -- along with the domestication of the chili pepper and the tomato. In modern times the number of recipes abounds across the internet, but one thing they all have in common is how fresh, uncomplicated, and quick it can be to pull together this spicy condiment. In our house, āSalsaāĀ finds its way onto everything from chips and rice to pork loin and pizza. I encourage everyone to find a recipe and give making it a try!
I was introduced to the captivating work of photographer Ming Smith through this ID article on her work.
Ming Smith's Life In Photos by Ryan White
Alicia Kennedy always poses interesting and thought provoking questions. This read is no exception. The article encourages us to eat, think, and write more globally.
āWhy Arenāt We Translating Food Media?ā by Alicia Kennedy
There is a good deal to be said of being more mindful and intentional about where our food comes from. Whether the provenance of that supermarket chicken or the aromatic red spice that berbere adds to a dish. Khamini Harinarain Fennelly gives us some suggestions on things to consider when preparing a dish from a culture that may be different than our own. I truly believe that deeper understanding will make your dish just that much more enjoyable.
Alison Roman, āThe Stewā and the Need for Mindful Global Cooking by Khamini Harinarain Fennelly
Interesting, informative, and entertaining, John Leguizamo is one of my favorite performers. I don't think I have ever left one of his shows without learning something or thinking a lot. In this podcast from Mother Jones he talks about life, career, current events and more.
John Leguizamo on Trump, Dirty Jokes, and Whitewashing Latinx History.
It may be Jacob Colliers incredible vocal range which settles into an upper baritone and floats in each direction up and down his vocal range. This one is kind of gentle and ethereal with a sweet bass grounding and tight harmonies. On of Jacob Collierās early pieces from his 2016 album āIn My Roomā #heavyrotation
An interesting short from VICE around some of the ateliers that keep fashion houses like Chanel going. A generation of artisans doing inspiring work of the kind that has been happening for decades.
I-d Future Now Atelier from VICE and i-D
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