How Do We Know Something Is Racist? Historian Ibram X. Kendi Explains
In History News Network
When President Trump tweeted on Sunday that “‘Progressive’ Democratic Congresswomen” — an apparent reference to Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley, who are all women of color — should “go back” to their countries, the backlash was swift. It also sparked another conversation: What makes something racist?
Ibram Kendi, a professor and director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University, joined “CBS This Morning” to address that question from a historical perspective and discuss whether racist actions or words make someone a racist. Click to continue
A Black Lady Sketch Show – HBO Series
By NNeka McGuire in The Lily Lines by the Washington Post
Saying “A Black Lady Sketch Show” is funny is like announcing an iceberg is cold. Well, of course it is. Convene a cast of seasoned comedians and you’re sure to elicit some laughs. But just as a behemoth block of floating ice has depth and breadth beyond what meets the eye, the new HBO series is more expansive and profound than what you might expect from a half-hour comedy. Created by Robin Thede, who previously hosted “The Rundown,” a late-night BET series brimming with political and cultural commentary, “A Black Lady Sketch Show” airs this Friday. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
INTRODUCING “THE REPORT”: A Podcast Series from Lawfare
For the past several weeks, a group of us has been working on a project to tell the story of the Mueller Report in an accessible form. The Mueller Report tells a heck of a story, a bunch of incredible stories, actually. But it does so in a form that’s hard for a lot of people to take in. It’s very long. It’s legally dense in spots. It’s marred with redactions. It’s also, shall we say, not optimized for your reading pleasure.
A WOMAN-CENTERED ECONOMIC AGENDA: 8 Policies that Boost the Economy and Work for Everyone
Ensuring that a growing economy is equitable and benefits all workers is an important policy priority for all elected officials. Given that women’s earnings and economic security are central to the health and well-being of U.S. households and the overall economy, each election cycle presents an opportunity to highlight the policies that would help women have access to the jobs and benefits workers need to ensure economic security for themselves and their families.
This fact sheet outlines eight key policy priorities that are critical for increasing women’s economic opportunities and securing their futures. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
‘Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am’ review: Irresistible voice of beloved writer shines through
By Moira Macdonald at Seattle Times
The Nobel Prize-winning writer Toni Morrison has a voice like a warm blanket, and it spreads across the documentary “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” irresistibly; when it’s over, you feel like a beloved friend has left the room. In Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ film, Morrison is seated squarely facing the camera and speaking to it, while the other voices in the film – friends, fellow writers, critics, academics – are shot at a more traditional angle. The result is an intimate directness, a sense of a genuine conversation.
Defend the Public’s Role in Western NC’s Public Lands – Mountain True – Protecting the Places We Share
The U.S. Forest Service has released an extreme set of proposed changes that would cut the public almost entirely ouf of decisions affecting our public lands. Will you speak out against the Forest Service’s proposal and remind them that public lands belong to all of us?
The proposal would make dramatic changes to the National Environmental Policy Act, also known as NEPA, which allows the public to have a say about the plans for government projects like new roads and timber sales. By requiring public input and a review of the environmental impacts of government projects, NEPA keeps these decisions from being made behind closed doors.
Want to Raise Financially Successful Children? A 30-Year Study Says Teach Them This 1 Thing
A newly published study makes a strong link between a specific behavior set and future income.
We all worry, to some extent, about how financially successful we’ll be. But if you’re a parent, there’s an extension of that concern that gets talked about less often, which is the financial success of your children.
How the Iroquois Great Law of Peace Shaped U.S. Democracy
By
Much has been said about the inspiration of the ancient Iroquois “Great League of Peace” in planting the seeds that led to the formation of the United States of America and its representative democracy.
DIFFERENT STROKES Performing Arts Collective – 2019 -2020 Season
Making Theater that Makes a Difference
Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective Inc. is a 501(c) 3 certified non-profit organization which purposes to increase and sustain opportunities for more diversity within the Western North Carolina performing arts community, by producing, and working with other performance artists or groups to present works which confront issues of social diversity in a provocative way; and by providing opportunities for audiences to explore visions of our diverse world. Visit us here for Different Strokes Performng Art Collective Season
MEET AMERICA’S PATRIOTS
by BRETT ZIEGLER for U S News & World Report
They volunteer for the military. They create jobs. They help their communities. They are U.S. immigrants.
THE FLATIRON WRITERS VERY FIRST ONLINE CLASS! The Writers Kit is Here
Want to be a writer? Don’t waste time.
The Writer’s Welcome Kit aims to save you 100 hours of work and worry as you go from wanting to be a writer to working to be a writer.
It’s the first E-COURSE that combines the information you need with the resources professional writers use to get published. Whether you’re a beginning writer wanting a safe space to start the writing journey, or a seasoned pro trying to re-invigorate and enhance your writing practice, this course will inspire you and give you every tool you need to keep moving forward with your writing every day.
SUSAN FISHER’S RALEIGH REPORT: 24 Days… and Counting
Asheville recognized for BLUE HORIZONS PROJECT in national climate awards
Asheville’s Blue Horizons Project earned the City an Honorable Mention in the Mayors Climate Protection Awards announced at the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Honolulu today.
**ONTRACK FINANCIAL EDUCATION CALENDAR & Women’s Financial Education Center Monthly Classes
Click here to see our current education schedule on these topics:
Housing Classes Money Management and Credit Classes
Upcoming Women’s Financial Empowerment Center Classes
PENLAND SCHOOL of CRAFTS – Workshops Offered
Penland is a national center for craft education dedicated to helping people live creative lives. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Penland offers one-, two-, and eight-week workshops in books & paper, clay, drawing, glass, iron, metals, photography, printmaking and letterpress, textiles, and wood.
ORGANIC GROWERS SCHOOL’s Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training in Western NC: Early Bird Application August 1st
Student Profile: Warren Lee
When Warren Lee applied to the Organic Growers School’s year long farmer training, Farm Beginnings®, they spoke about the pull and draw of their family land in Roswell, Georgia as a motivating factor. It was their great grandfather’s land and had been passed down in the family. Farm Beginnings® is a 12-month training that uses a mix of farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, mentorship, and field days. Warren had been pursuing their farm dream in the Northeast, including work on a farm in VT, a permaculture design course certificate, and a Masters in Ecological Design.
SMART CHOICES WHEN FACING DIVORCE by Jennifer Adams
by Jennifer Adams, Financial Planner with Starks Financial Group. Inc.
I recently read “Divorce: Thinking Financially, Not Emotionally,” by Jeffrey A. Landers. Talking with women going through divorce over the past few years has convinced me that acting in concert with that title is a significant challenge. A huge range of emotions—shock, anger, disappointment, guilt—complicate decision making during divorce. It is a good idea to talk with your attorney or financial planner to have a third party that is not so “involved” in the emotional aspect of the situation.
Despite these challenges, I’ve seen women make some smart choices over the past few years since I became a CDFA (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst). I’ll share them here.
**PAN HARMONIA World-Class Chamber Music • Authentic • Local
Now in its 20th season, Pan Harmonia offers a mosaic of concerts, community outreach and educational residencies and enjoys taking its music out of the concert hall and into spaces all around the community — from art galleries and historic churches to prisons and homeless shelters. Its musicians believe in social justice through arts access and enjoy bringing high-quality performances to audiences of all ages and socioeconomic strata. Directed by flutist Kate Steinbeck, Asheville, NC’s award-winning chamber music repertory company has been nationally recognized for its artistic excellence and creative vision.
Unexpected Art in Unexpected Places
–by Mirka Knaster, syndicated from exploringtheheartofit.weebly.com, Jul 10, 2019 in Doing Good
NO UNION MORE PROFOUND – a celebration of human rights
Letters from Little Rock
By Nickole Brown & Jessica Jacobs | July 2, 2015 in Oxford American
The poets Nickole Brown and Jessica Jacobs were married in California in October of 2013. Following the Supreme Court’s marriage equality ruling, they exchanged a series of letters from their home in Little Rock. Nickole begins:
Some images I want to bless in clear water and hold up to the light. Like my sister, nearly six years ago now, sitting up during a contraction to touch the crown of her son not yet born. Or my peonies in Kentucky—one June, I cut every single stalk and brought the armload inside, blooms big as grapefruit, blasting open with black ants.