An Emotional Week

Last week was one of emotional exhaustion. First, there was the heat wave, which had my middle school campers at the Young Writers Project going bananas. Then there was my packed reading/workshop schedule. I also made the difficult decision to leave for Georgia a week early due to a scheduling snaffoo (new departure date is July 29th). Along with that decision came my sudden realization of all I would miss about Vermont, the stress of packing, and the sinking feeling that there was “not enough time!” (This is an ever-present mantra in my life, a belief I now see I must question). Finally, there was the devastating not-guilty verdict for George Zimmerman and the gutting of the Voter’s Rights Act, putting votes by people of color, women, youth, the elderly, and the differently-abled at risk.

 

There were also some silver linings.

 

The first two came through the ongoing support of the Burlington Writers Workshop. Peter Biello asked me to present an extra piece during our last meeting so that a reporter from Seven Days newspaper could hear me read my work aloud. The result was this feature. Then, I had one of the most enjoyable readings of my life alongside my workshop-mates at the Essex Free Library. My first & second grade teacher was, by coincidence, in the audience. 

Reading with the Burlington Writers Workshop at the Essex Free Library. Photo by Peter Biello.

The third silver lining came just this afternoon. A friend emailed me information on SURJ: Showing Up for Racial Justice. SURJ is a national alliance of white people who organize for racial equality. They offer this Trayvon Martin Action Kit, resources for white allies to plug into anti-racist and immigration reform campaigns, and opportunities to network with like-minded artists and organizers. I believe that to end racism, we need communities of color AND communities of white people to join the conversation. It is important for groups to work together across racial lines. It is equally important that we have spaces where we can address the unique ways that racism affects us across lines of privilege.

Artwork available through SURJ. Share on your Facebook page and tell the world what this image means to you, as a white person. See my response here. 

And, just for fun, here’s a highlight from my Farewell VT Photo Series:

These gorgeous lilies dot all the roadsides in VT this summer. This is the first year I’ve taken any notice of flowers. Last Thursday, they served as a centerpiece for my show at the Helen Day Art Center in Stowe.