More Great Writing Advice and Bits on Social Justice

My son Antonio (7) learning to embroider.

Today, I was at the Teachers for Social Justice curriculum fair in Chicago promoting the People's Tribune.  It was a great event, and we got to network with a number of activists.  I had the pleasure of talking to Sarah Menefee again because she was at the conference.  I was explaining how much I loved the writing-sex metaphor (you can't schedule either one.  you do it.)  I told her that often, I feel a sense of guilt and anxiety when I don't write every day.  In fact, if I go for days without writing, my life gets a little greyer. 

Sarah said something like, "Don't attach guilt to it.  You just miss writing."

You ever have one of those cerebral explosions?  I had one because that is such a brilliant way of framing what the heart wants. 

Besides, there is so much negativity in the world.  Why add to it?

My son also decided to tag along, and I made him pass out the paper and a poetry insert, which is quite phenomenal.  It was produced by homeless or formerly homeless poets to raise awareness to the injustices they face.

My son also did something amazing:  He embroidered a flame at one of the organizational tables promoting art and education.  I loved the fact that he made something with his hands and wasn't so reliant on the phone to entertain himself.  (The phone was not available to him, and the I-pad died.)

He also crafted cards for incarcerated children.  While I loved the gesture, that reality jarred me and made me angry at the prison industrial complex, even more.  I did put my name down to help develop curriculum or donate books.  That, of course, won't solve the prison problem, but it's something.  I also am working on a poem about what happened, in the poetry section.

All in all, I was really inspired at the great work people are doing through creative arts.  That was just one part of it, but I was struck at all the tables that promoted one form of art or another.  Next time, we should have a table for people to write a short piece. 

Write from the heart, even when your time is limited.  #Resist

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