The Community Power Issue: Also
- Readers Respond – Summer 2020
- Share
Readers Respond – Summer 2020
Ideas on 鈥淭he World We Want鈥澛
Love the idea聽behind this edition. Some of us have been using the word 鈥渆nchantivism鈥 to describe forms of storytelling that might start in breakdown, rupture, or injustice but that lead to more spacious possibilities. If we can鈥檛 imagine them, we can鈥檛 realize them.鈥攃丑补濒辩耻颈蝉迟
The current issue is聽so to the point that I want my friends to get it, especially because as a public school educator and public defense attorney articles in this issue directly speak to their concerns and work for social justice.鈥擫补谤谤测听
This magazine came just聽at a time when I needed it. Highlighting the stories and work of environmental activists of color, the articles are reimagining, with a radical visioning, the world we want鈥his edition was a joy to read and reminded me why I am committed to all the community organizing and activist work that I do! Even when it gets exhausting and overwhelming, we need this reminder of how we get from here to there, and it鈥檚 in community.聽鈥擲hirley Manken
This is what聽I鈥檝e been waiting for!A fantastic step toward creating and manifesting life-affirming future visions鈥斺淲hat We Want!鈥 I believe we鈥檙e writing a new mythology that鈥檚 being shaped by uncommon times and the evolution of supernatural beings. I couldn鈥檛 feel more blessed and be more thrilled to be here now. To read this! The more the stories like this are conceived, refined, and told, the more power they gain. Thank you!鈥擝别肠辞尘颈苍驳
I was thinking one way聽we could have a better world on the other side of this is if folk took some of this time to work on personal growth as well as growing community. Practice forgiveness and open the heart and we can see real change at a very local level. I have a feeling the universe is giving us an聽 opportunity here!鈥擩辞苍
I like the focus聽of the Spring issue. I would like to see more articles in that issue on what can be done or what is already being done to make the changes we need to make to get to that 鈥渨orld we want.鈥 We all know where we are and how we got here, what we need to focus on now are the positive, uplifting movements to get us where we need to be.鈥擩颈濒濒颈补苍48
鈥淟anguage of Antiracism鈥 Is a Useful Guide
I have greatly appreciated聽the articles focused on building bridges and supporting equity. To be completely honest, it is a subject that makes me sweat. I grew up around people of all colors, nationalities 鈥 but I have come to understand that even that situation whitewashed the diversity rather than really celebrating, honoring, or understanding it. It can feel so overwhelming to even broach the subject, and feels so much easier to ignore it and tell myself there鈥檚 nothing I can do about it. 鈥淭he Language of Antiracism鈥 brought some new ideas to light for me that were able to spawn some good conversations with my partner who has done a lot of participation in and training for DEI. Recently, this allowed me to step in during a group conversation and try to point out that there is no such thing as reverse racism. I was thankful to be able to reference the article, and the individual was open to finding new resources to look at on the matter. Usually I love YES! for inspiration, but I also love YES! for helping work on the difficult areas inside myself that I haven鈥檛 been able to yet. YES! approaches every subject thoroughly and with great heart and compassion. I so greatly appreciate this.鈥擲.M., Oregon
Opening Up to Others鈥 Views
鈥淵es, You Can Change聽Someone鈥檚 Mind鈥 got me thinking about how difficult it is to see other peoples鈥 perspectives when you disagree, and that I have to put more energy and effort into bridging that gap.鈥擫aura Myerson, New York
I need the reminder聽that it鈥檚 not all about facts. My world view is very similar to that expressed in YES!, so it鈥檚 really helpful to me to see my beliefs and views expressed by others and to have my understanding of these things broadened by the very diverse perspectives brought by the writers and editors.鈥擝ecky P., California
Opportunities in a New Decade聽
I would love to explore聽how we can help to heal the divisive nature of our current economic and political cultures. Where people are respectful and listen to other points of view so that we can come together and work to create meaningful change. It鈥檚 time to end the debates, the bickering and stalemates. We need to start acting on the issues that are causing so much suffering.聽鈥掷耻蝉补苍
I have been asking people聽what is your transition plan? And have you calculated your carbon footprint/personal consumption and consumption of resources on a finite planet? And, of course, can I help? Transportation and heating (I live in a northern climate) are the 鈥渓ow hanging fruit鈥 and biggest energy hogs.聽鈥擭ancy Kellogg
How Is Your Community Responding to COVID-19?
We are聽meeting the needs聽of each other. We purchased dinners for truckers passing through our small town and delivered them safely. I heard that many of their favorite restaurants had closed. It didn鈥檛 take much to gather more support and healthy meals were provided for people who do a tough job and are often working double shifts.聽鈥掷辫谤颈苍驳蹿颈别濒诲痴补濒
I live in a rural area聽where the usual news of hot spots in dense urban areas doesn鈥檛 match the reality of our community. But we are staying in touch by phone, texts, and some visits where we practice at least 3 feet away. Local stores which are open have designated 6 foot distances, e.g. pharmacies, groceries and home improvement stores. I鈥檓 sure these are corporate decisions. I see my grandkids by meeting outside. Personally, I鈥檓 following Merlin鈥檚 advice to Arthur when you are depressed (now by social isolation) by learning something new. Something we can all do and I recommend.鈥攎产锄颈尘尘别谤
A neighbor friend and I,聽with my family, have been spending every Sunday cleaning up the creek behind our community and have gathered over 12 garbage bags full of trash. My 4-year-old had such a great time. It was so good to see her spirit of adventure and independence return.鈥攌诲别蝉补颈1
Thanks much for this聽article (鈥淐ommunity Solidarity Through Homemade Face Masks鈥)聽 and particularly for articulating so clearly and poetically, 鈥淲earing a mask when you need to be out of your house is an act of community solidarity, showing people around you that you care about protecting them as much as keeping yourself protected. And it鈥檚 an empowering chance to exercise creativity and personality during a time of uncertainty.鈥 We鈥檙e sharing it (w/ credit, of course!) in our community service pitch to face-cover makers.鈥seladore
EXCERPTS FROM:
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