Feelings Are Not Your Enemy

I don’t know about you, but the nonstop onslaught of terrible things has made me feel raw, vulnerable and afraid. Any polish I typically can muster has been discarded. I just don’t have the energy. Everything feels heavier. Almost like gravity’s been enhanced and we’re more beholden to dirt than ever. Covered up in it. […]

My Plea to My White Friends and Family in South Carolina

If you are friends with me IRL or online, my political leanings are not in anyway hidden or tamped down. They rarely have been. I’ve been opinionated and passionate about politics for almost forty years (true story). There are many of you who do not agree with me politically about very much. Typically, we just […]

What Twitter Taught Me About The Charleston Shootings

Originally posted on The Boeskool:
Last night, nine people died while worshiping in church. The church was Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the oldest black congregations in the country. An unknown man, described as a white man in his early 20’s wearing a hoodie, went into their Wednesday night prayer service, prayed with them…

I Remember How I Became A More Compassionate Activist

Last night, Tenx9 Nashville hosted nine storytellers in Nashville, sharing around the topic: I Remember. This is my contribution. *I consulted the Oracle (Google)and discovered that Gloria Steinem isn’t the origin of the phrase “the personal is political.” I did say I was late to feminism.

Jeannie Alexander – A Bee’s Dream

Originally posted on Tenx9 Nashville Storytelling:
At Tenx9’s “I Remember” night, Jeannie Alexander spun a masterful narrative about remembering her grandfather–his grace, words, and beekeeping.  I remember my grandfather’s smell. It is my first memory. My second memory is of being carried by my grandfather through his backyard. So carefully we considered the apple trees,…

When The Narrows Came On Me Like I Was In the Trash Compactor In Star Wars

I shared this story at Douglas Corner Cafe in Nashville on March 23, 2015. This was my 13th story at Tenx9 Nashville. When The Narrows Came On Me Like I Was In the Trash Compactor In Star Wars The year: 1997. Around two years since my last road trip out West. If you are a […]

Stories From the Streets of Nashville

A 5 year-old kid wandered in our office today. By himself. Saying he was hungry. We fed him from all the things we had brought for our own lunches. Our office is in the projects off Lafayette and yesterday I took a woman grocery shopping. She had fifteen dollars to spend for the next 7 […]

Leelah’s Legacy

Reach out without judgements.

The War on Drugs has got to end: Ethan Nadelmann speaks at TEDGlobal 2014

Originally posted on TED Blog:
Ethan Nadelmann speaking at TEDGlobal 2014. Photo: James Duncan Davidson/TED “What has the War on Drugs done in the world?” asks Ethan Nadelmann, the founder of the Drug Policy Alliance. He namechecks just a few of its results: cartel violence in Central America, a ballooning global black market, packed prisons throughout the…

October is EVERYTHING

Why yes, it is my birthday month. And the Nashville AIDS walk, the Nashville Zombie Walk, Halloween (!!!!!) — complete with pumpkin spiced anything and everything. It is also Artober. I am a fan of all of these things. The weather is perfect. PERFECT. Here are some handy dandy guides to help you maximize THE […]