Something’s happening today; mobile fences are everywhere. Barbed wire covers one side of X-shaped barriers – a design to keep certain people inside and others out. Pedestrians snake the congested sidewalks of the Berlaymont building, home to the EU Commission. No one stumbles, falls, scratches themselves, and mothers maneuver strollers while guiding children. Continue reading
“They took my peanut butter!” – Part 1
“They took my peanut butter!”
“What?” laughed my partner Tom.
From a quiet corner beyond security, I complained by cell phone about the confiscation of several carry-on items. The guard taking me aside wasn’t worrisome. I bristled, though, when he took away the suntan lotion and hand sanitizer. Continue reading
Posted in Spirituality
1 Comment
29 May 2009
These two weeks back to Belgium surprisingly are tender. I miss my birthland and loved ones more than during the initial phase of of relocation (summer 2008). Nonetheless I’m planting my first garden, learning about self-employment, and meeting other expats.
And, meanwhile, I follow happenings back home and around the globe. Here is a selection of articles, audio interviews, and web sites that I find especially noteworthy. My responses pepper the sources, which are grouped under these summary headlines:
- Gender ‘be’ what gender ‘does’
- Women of color rock
- What the f…cover-up?!
- Not indie but INDIGIE films
- Speakin’ truth
Posted in Event, Law&Courts, Media, News, Race, Sexuality&Gender
Leave a comment
El Mundo Zurdo 2009
The gathering “El Mundo Zurdo: The First International Conference on the Work and Life of Gloria E. Anzaldúa” amazed me. I am grateful to have been among so many spirits touched by Anzaldúa’s words and Gloria’s actions. Event photos are available in the More! section (below).
Gratitude to conference organizers for making the event happen; to individuals who were – and are! – close to Gloria Anzaldúa for sharing her with us; and to each contributor for giving back to the circle.
Much thanks to the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center for exhibiting work inspired by Anzaldúa’s vision for El Mundo Zurdo! I very much appreciated the opportunity to visit your community-centered space.
And special thanks to those who participated in my workshop “Writing from Nepantla”: Anel, Ari, Cristina, Edna, Irene, Joy, Kuukua, Lola, Luz, Maria, Melissa, Mica, Nicole, Patricia, Rebeca, and Theresa!
Continue reading
Posted in Event, Pics&Videos
Leave a comment
Brave Souls, Thanks!
Thanks to the Lansing Writing Workshop participants! Your presence enriched the event and gifted me with insight. Photos are available in the More section of this post.
Your table discussions bravely explored the workshop topics: embracing inspiration of body, spirit, and mind; crossing boundaries of self-censorship and convention; engaging audience of ancestors and land. Your words nourished pages in the quiet space. Your poems, prose, and insights closed our circle in hope.
Best wishes on your journey and with your writing!
Posted in Event, Pics&Videos
6 Comments
Lansing Writing Workshop
On Thursday, 7 May from 7:00-9:00pm, I’m giving a free writing workshop at Gone Wired Cafe in Lansing, Michigan. Follow this link for the event flyer.
The workshop explores a spiritual, practical, and philosophical approach to writing. Activities focus on three areas: crossing boundaries of self-censorship and convention; embracing inspiration of body, mind, and soul; and engaging audience of ancestors and nature.
Donations are welcome to support my work as an independent scholar. The session is a community version of the workshop I will facilitate at “El Mundo Zurdo: The First International Conference on the Work and Life of Gloria E. Anzaldúa.”
… A NOTE OF THANKS to The St. Johns Independent for spreading the word about my poetry collection “the land, once called DeWitt“!
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Feminist Poetry Night
What an incredible turn out! The Planned Parenthood fundraiser on 30 April had standing room only. Dessa Cosma, PP Senior Field Organizer, said it was a successful evening on two fronts: getting the word out to the community about services and programs as well as raising funds.
I very much enjoyed being part of a community event (photo) while reading from the land, once called DeWitt for the first time since its release. Debuting the collection from this land base, my birth land, has been right in many ways. Thanks to Scott Harris (photo), owner of Everybody Reads, for inviting me to join the event!
Visit the More section for all photos. And here are links to single snapshots: Ann Anderson, Laura Apol, Colleen, Chey Davis, MDH, Anaya Keaton, Rebecca Payne, Chris Pereira, Lisa Sayles, Jennifer Schwartz, and Deena Tyler.
Posted in Event, Pics&Videos, Poetry
Leave a comment
tlocD Review & Reading
Many thanks to well wishes from loved ones and readers about the release of “the land, once called DeWitt“! Gratitude to Joni Hubred-Golden at Michigan’s Women Forum for listing the book. More gratitude to Ray Walsh for the complimentary review in the Lansing State Journal, and to Bill Castanier for making this review available via the Mittenlit blog .
Join my first reading since releasing “the land, once called DeWitt“! At Feminist Poetry Night, a fundraiser for Planned Parenthood held at Everybody Reads Books and Stuff (Lansing, Michigan) this Thursday, 30 April. The free event starts at 7:30pm. A great circle of local wordsmiths are joining this event including Nancy Allen, Penny Gardener, Chris Pereira, Lisa Sayles, and others!
Posted in Event, News, Poetry, tlocD
Leave a comment
Words of Hope and Healing, Pt.2
“Amazing!” This word comes to mind when reflecting upon this year’s Words of Hope and Healing, the 2nd year for the program, a fundraiser for the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing, Michigan. My pictures from the two evenings, 16 and 17 April 2009, are available in the “More” section of this post.
Creators Nancy Allen and Maria Casinelli (photos no. 5 & 6) have brought together survivors of violence to share testimonies to the wider community (photos no. 1 & 3), while audience members bear witness to survivors’ journeys of healing (photos no. 2 & 4)
The experience is powerful on both sides: in 2008 as I sat in the audience listening, and this year as I shared my journey from the stage. One of the poems I performed was “POSITIVITY”.
Posted in Event, Media, Pics&Videos, Sexuality&Gender
Leave a comment
Take Back the Night 2009
During this visit to Michigan – the first since moving to Belgium last summer – I’ve been able to meet up with survivors and our allies across the greater Lansing community. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and people are taking a stand! This post is one of several upcoming to share about these events.
On 21 April, TBTN activities took place in East Lansing, MI, USA. I joined the day’s final activities: the pre-march rally with artist Hana Malhas (photos no.1 & 3) and keynote speaker Ann Francis (photos no.2, 5, & 7); the campus-wide march; and the post-march rally with artist Kate Leong (photos no.11 & 13). Hopefully, the photos convey the amazing-ness of the event . Continue reading
Posted in Media, Pics&Videos, Sexuality&Gender
Leave a comment
