Aug 11, 2020The Silver Lining of this Summer: Grab Hold of this One Thing before it’s Gone.The hottest days of summer make for the most beautiful evenings. Last night was especially lovely as we dined with a friend in his backyard, one of the few visits I’ve made to a friend’s home in months. …Pandemic Diaries4 min readPandemic Diaries4 min read
Aug 11, 2020Modern Day GreetingsBy Julie van Amerongen Hug, handshake or high five. A few months ago, I would size up a situation when meeting someone and decide among the appropriate options. Then came elbow bumps, foot taps and the invention of cuddle curtains. Now choices include nod, smize (smile with your eyes), namasté…Pandemic Diaries1 min readPandemic Diaries1 min read
Jul 29, 2020Good TroubleThe Life and Legacy of John Lewis There have been numerous times over the course of creating nearly 30 blog posts highlighting anti-racism resources I have felt that my voice and words were wholly inadequate. …Obituary3 min readObituary3 min read
Jul 29, 2020Maybe Forced Family Fun Is The Pandemic Prescription We NeedThere’s just the slightest breeze in the early morning air today and a mobile that hangs on the porch turns slowly. It’s made of driftwood and seashells, rocks and feathers collected over several days on the beach many years ago. Perhaps to others it looks like a piece of art…Coronavirus5 min readCoronavirus5 min read
Jul 28, 2020One Race — Different ShadesJane Elliott on her Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Exercise and Fighting Racism When I started the process of diving into and sharing anti-racism resources I also committed to elevating black voices. …White Privilege2 min readWhite Privilege2 min read
Jul 21, 2020Fire! Fire! Gentrifier!The birds are singing. One sustained high note. A lower note, then another a full step down. That three-note pattern repeats itself periodically. I can hear it over the sound of water tumbling over rocks, a river turning a corner. I can see the water from where I sit in…Personal5 min readPersonal5 min read
Jul 16, 2020How can you solve a problem if you don’t understand it?Systemic Racism Explained The current social climate is generally understood to be centered on both taking a stand against racism and in dismantling systemic racism. But for many of us, myself included, the awareness and understanding of what systemic racism is continues to unfold. My experience is a bit like…Personal Development2 min readPersonal Development2 min read
Jul 15, 2020Feeling tired or burnt out?Don’t allow it to let you off the hook. The pandemic has introduced new things into our vernacular that we never could have imagined previously. One of these phrases is “quarantine fatigue.” …Personal Development2 min readPersonal Development2 min read
Jul 13, 2020What’s on your bookshelf?In an effort to explore and share anti-racist resources that are both accessible and powerful recently, I’ve intentionally excluded books. …Personal Development2 min readPersonal Development2 min read
Jul 12, 2020Do you understand the history of racism where you live? You should.Yesterday marked day 45 of protests against police brutality and systemic racism in the city where I live, Portland, Oregon. Our city has a reputation as a bastion of liberal ideals — and the state has deep, deep roots in racism. I’m currently enrolled in a course on the history…Personal Development2 min readPersonal Development2 min read