#writeourdemocracy

[impossiblykeencat-blog]

(Janis Ian)

[unabridgedbookstore]

We’re proud to co-sponsor WRITERS RESIST. On January 15th, 2017 writers and editors in 30+ cities across the United States and Europe will come together to create a “re-inauguration” of our shared commitment to the spirit of compassion, equality, free speech, and the fundamental ideals of democracy. In coordination with PEN America, Writers Resist events large and small will be held throughout the US and the world. In Chicago, readings will be held at @openbooks at noon. The growing list of readers includes Audrey Niffenegger, Audrey Petty, Daniel Botrzutsky, and Ruben Quesada, who will also appear at Unabridged’s first poetry reading of 2016 on Wednesday, January 25th. Here’s how Quesada characterizes the event: “Our local communities are where we will see people suffer under the environment of bigotry that has taken hold of the country and also where we can contribute most to helping people. #WRITERSRESIST is a call for resistance to everyone and anyone who will listen. These events are meant to inform and empower individuals in their respective communities, to let them know what is happening locally and on the state-level and a space to connect with other around to who will stand by you and for you.” 🖋✊ #writeourdemocracy

[writersresistphl]

Freedom Text Teaching Tools

We are pleased to share these tools, created by poet Alicia Askenase, for teaching nine freedom texts to middle- and high-school students. All educators are welcome to use and share them. We would be grateful to hear about your experiences and receive your feedback; email us at writersresistphl at gmail dot com.

Teaching Tools from Writers Resist PHL

[chenchenwrites]

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hello books i want to buy (a couple i have already and gosh they are pretty. at the #WriteOurDemocracy event in Lubbock. proceeds go to the ACLU or the South Plains Food Bank. also isn't that Iron Horse tote bag just total cool beans?!

[chenchenwrites]

so psyched for this #WriteOurDemocracy event in Lubbock. super pretty broadsides here (printed & designed by Scott Morris & Kyle Bassett in the Texas Tech Letterpress Studio). & all proceeds go to the ACLU

[chenchenwrites]

Tonight! So glad to be joining this reading. I’ll probably be sharing one short piece of mine and then one by Aracelis Girmay from her amazing book the black maria. Thanks to Katie Cortese for leading the organization of this event. A lot of work behind the scenes. 

[theturnips]

Just the Facts

By Lucinda Marshall

Perception is:

            REALITY

reflected

            or

refracted

subjective contextual

relevant

            or

irrelevant depending

            upon

precedent

of

immortal

            TRUTH

preached

            about

and

            referenced

we believe and accept:

             DISTORTION

 Lucinda Marshall "Just the Facts" at a Writers Resist event in Arlington, VA.

Lucinda Marshall is a writer, artist, and activist. Her recent poetry publications include Sediments, Ground Fresh Thursday, Stepping Stones Magazine, Columbia Journal, Poetica Magazine, and ISLE. Her poem, "The Lilies Were In Bloom" received an Honorable Mention in Waterline Writers' "Artists as Visionaries Climate Crisis Solutions".  She is the Founder of Feminist Peace Network, the author of numerous published essays and articles, and the blog Reclaiming Medusa.   Lucinda co-facilitates the award-winning Gaithersburg, MD Teen Writing Club. She is a member of the Maryland Writers’ Association, and Women, Action, and the Media.

[theturnips]

Letter to America

By Rene Denfeld

As you know, I work with men and women who are facing execution. I have sat with those who have done unspeakable harm. I carry their pain—and yes they have pain. I know their remorse—and yes they have remorse. If the guilty could be here right now they would tell you one thing: stop me. Stop me from hurting anyone. Stop me before I carry this unbearable sadness. Stop me.

There’s a saying in death penalty work: if you can’t be good at being good, you will be good at being bad. Countries, like people, can decide to be bad. It might feel like a catharsis, like a purging. But there is no catharsis when it comes to hate. Hate, like love, multiples. The more you do it the bigger it gets. And if hate is what you multiply, in the end you will end up behind bars of one kind or another, collapsed in your own bitterness and defensiveness, the road behind you littered with the souls you harmed, wishing someone would have stopped you.

The same client who sits in front of me, caged in bars, was a tender young boy, full of joy at the sacrament of life. Every single case I have had was preventable. The same is true of our country, and the mistakes we have made, and the ones we can stop. Lives have been saved by one vote, by one action, by one person.

What we do matters. We all have strengths to bring to the table. For some it might be art, for others protest, some of us go micro and others go big. There is no hierarchy when it comes to activism.

But critical to all change is knowledge, and the best way to learn is to listen. This is especially true about listening to those who have been marginalized, dispossessed, and unheard. We cannot change what we do not understand.

I’m going to tell you a quick story. I adopted my kids from foster care. My oldest son came to me with a lot of problems. He was considered a troubled kid, the kind people expect to end up in prison—just like my clients. He was afraid, and fear makes animals out of all of us. I stuck with him, month after month, year after year. I would hold him in my arms, and tell him, “I will not let you be bad.” I wasn’t just trying to save his soul. I was trying to save my own, because we are all connected. Today that once troubled boy is a wonderful young man, kind and considerate and loving.

That is our country in a nutshell. Are we going to hold it in our arms? Are we going to refuse to let it be bad? Are we going to take every step in our power, month after month, year after year, to make sure it grows up healthy and good? Are we going to walk out of here tonight knowing what we do matters, one vote, one action, one person at a time?

Stop me, says the secret heart of those who do harm. I will stop you, say the brave. Lets be brave. 

Rene Denfeld is the bestselling author of the award-winning novel The Enchanted (Harper) and forthcoming novel The Child Finder (Harper October 2017). By day Rene works with men and women facing execution, as a licensed death penalty investigator. She is a social justice advocate on mass incarceration, prison reform, and justice, as well as foster-adoptive parent. Rene speaks regularly on hope, resiliency, courage and change. Her website is www.renedenfeld.com, and she can be found on facebook and twitter.