In a time of destruction, create something.
A poem. A parade. A community. A school. A vow. A moral principle.
One peaceful moment.
- Maxine Hong Kingston, The Fifth Book of Peace
Creatives have always blazed the trail of social change.
The same force that spawns riots and revolution also fuels artistic creativity. Each in our own way, we’re shaping a new world.
As revolution spreads like wildfire, a global gathering will focus on society’s needs this Equinox weekend. 100,000 Poets for Change will have public readings, demonstrations, concerts and vigils in support of human rights and sustainable change. So far, 450 cities in 95 countries are planning 650 simultaneous events. What’s happening in your area? Stanford University in California has recognized 100TPC as the largest poetry reading in history and will archive it for future generations.
I was introduced to the event by Zachary Kluckman, a New Mexico writer whose gritty poems march through streets of personal experience and social inequity with sensitivity beyond his years. Click here for a sample.
Zach is the organizer of 100TPC events this week in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His poetry galvanizes my own commitment to social activism. So now I’m involved.
Local Events
Here’s the 100TPC website where you can find out if there’s an event in your area this weekend: http://www.100tpc.org. You don’t need to be a poet to participate. Just listen and share with an open heart. Find out what the concerns and needs are in your community. Consider ways you might get involved.
I’ll be participating in Albuquerque, where activities begin with an open reading tonight and continue through Sunday. A 24-hour drum circle starts on Saturday, followed by workshops in the afternoon and a candlelight concert/reading/vigil that night. Everything’s free. There’s a food and clothing drive, or you can donate cash for those in need. The schedule is posted here: http://www.wix.com/physicalpoet/100tpc
If you’re in this area, come by. There are some great workshops with poets and community leaders collaborating through the creative process. The schedule is posted on the website (follow the link above). I’ll give a workshop on “Blogging for Change” on Saturday at 3 p.m.
In various ways, this Equinox is a turning point. Personally and collectively, it’s time to set the wheels in motion to create the world we want our children, and their children, to inherit. Change begins in our hearts. Poetry whispers our dreams to the world.
Spread the word.
Copyright 2011 Allison Rae/HeyAllie.com
All rights reserved.
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