What are we for?

 The most important work that you will do in your life will not be the work that makes you money. The work that you do in terms of creativity, in terms of your own personal healing and spiritual growth, the work that you do as a caretaker or as somebody in your community, as an activist, existing in the world in defiance, these are things that are beyond money and commerce. 


We’re being beaten down every day by people convincing us that money and power are all that matter, and they have given up their true selves for that purpose. 
If you are living in the U.S., you are probably fighting or trying to figure out a way to fight against the incredibly terrifying regime that we have found ourselves with. Perhaps this regime has made you realize just how very deep seated capitalism is and its massive contribution to both racism and misogyny. 
It seems like a machine that cannot be stopped. But if we are able to honor the work that has no monetary value we will slowly chip away at this horrifying structure of oppression that we all find ourselves in. The more we create and the more that we heal ourselves, the more resilient we will become and in the process, the creative mind flourishes helping us bring forth new ways to live.

My daughter Cece in a neighborhood parade

For the last few weeks I have been meeting and filming my friends in Asheville. Partly as a way of soothing my sadness over leaving but also to show to whoever might be interested, the incredibly valuable offerings they bring to the world.

There’s Anna who, with a collective of artists, has looked to democratize art using the Asheville Mall as an exhibition space.

And there’s Safi who has spent the last twenty years (over twenty) developing a community garden with her partner that provides food, education and spiritual solace to my beloved neighborhood.

In the current climate and especially with the influence of social media, it’s easy to share what and/or who we are against. I could spend hours ranting full of rage and I have! While it’s cathartic in the short term, it leaves me with nothing but a feeling of isolation. It’s time I think, to look to what we are for and feed it.