Behind the scenes people all over the world – including those of us at The BeZine – are getting ready to promote poetry and other arts as game changers. Words can have legs after all and 100,000 Poets (and friends) for Change (100TPC) puts “act” into activism and community involvement. Under the direction of Cofounders Michael Rothenberg and Terri Carrion, the focus for 2018 Global is on reading poetry to children. From all over the world 2,000 individuals and groups have committed to participate in this initiative from March 24 – 29.
Will you read a poem to a child on September 29 as part of the 100 Thousand Poets for Change Global initiative “Read A Poem To A Child?”
This seems to be an important year to highlight the significance of children in the world. We are increasingly aware of their fragility.It is time to take a moment in this busy, crazy life we live, and share something we cherish.
“My Aunt Yvonne and Uncle Larry gave me The Golden Book of Poetry, which was published in 1947. I kept it for years. Sometimes my aunt would read it to me. Absolute delight! (I can still hear her voice.) As I grew older I became aware that famous writers wrote the poems: Robert Louis Stevenson, Walter de la Mare and others. The poems were playful, relevant and stayed with me. There was one by Walter de la Mare, The Cupboard, in which a fat little grandmother rations out Banbury Cakes and lollipops.
“Of course my own small plump grandmother – called Sidto by us – wouldn’t have known Banbury Cake. Our “cake” would be baklava and our “lollipops” would be semsemiyeh (sesame candy) but, like the grandma in the poem, my grandmother was indeed the keeper of the cupboard and she was in charge of dishing up sweet and savory. So the poem was a joy and my first hint that poetry crosses borders.”
At the Zine, we’ll celebrate 100TPC with a focus on Social Justice for our upcoming issue, September 15. Michael Dickel (Meta/ Phor(e) /Play) is heading our peaceful charge for that edition and also for our virtual 100TPC event on Saturday, September 29. This has become a tradition at the Zine and Michael is skilled in handling both these responsibilities. We hope you’ll join us on the 15th for the September issue of the Zine and for 100TPC on the 29th to help us support this global effort and its ideals.
– Jamie Dedes, Managing and Founding Editor, The BeZine
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“The opposite of poverty is not wealth. In too many places, the opposite of poverty is justice.”Bryan Stevenson
The world is rife with injustices that call for our attention and there are many social justice initiatives that bring people together to raise awareness, right wrongs, and offer sucor to the torn and weary.
PROMOTING SOCIAL JUSTICE
While the daily news feeds our sadness, fears and hopelessness, you and I are a reason for joy. If you are reading this, it is likely that you are one of the millions of old souls whose natural instinct is for justice and respect.
There is joy in the fact that so many of us live in a time and place were we can put out a call for solidarity, a call to move on to right and just action. Therein lies our hope and grace and our ability to keep on keeping on.
What an extraordinary thing it is that we have the means, the inner sight, the backbone, and passion for this good work. My hope and strength comes from the poets, writers, artists, clerics, and readers of every type and from every corner of the world who come together virtually for each edition of the The BeZine, for the yearly 100,000 Poets (and friends) for Change, Global, for those who will join in Rev. Terri Stewart’s (Beguine Again and The BeZine) Unite with Might initiative, for the Abuelas (Grandmothers) caravaning to the Mexican Border to support the families crossing into the U.S., and for the many peace and social justice efforts that go on all over the world, even in the darkest places where preaching justice to power invites imprisonment, torture and death.
– Jamie Dedes
UNITE WITH MIGHT
Rev. Terri Stewart, Associate Pastor at Riverton Park United Methodist Church
“We are uniting together to stand against hate and to promote hope, love, and inclusion for all of our neighbors.
“Sometimes it seems that there is so much hatred in the world that it is impossible to know what to do next. But changing hate to hope, loneliness to love, paranoia to peace, isolation to inclusion, starts with us. The beloved community. We are mighty when united for causes that uplift the values of hope, love, and inclusion. Hence the name, Unite with Might.
“On August 11 and 12, Richard Spencer and Jason Kessler, leaders of the alt-right movement (Unite the Right) that marched in Charlottesville, VA, are having a rally in Washington, D.C. and hope to also rally again in Charlottesville, VA, where a young woman, Heather Heyer, was killed by alt-right marchers.”
Washington, D.C., National Parks Service has approved the alt-right’s permit to gather.
In my faith tradition, the table is where everyone is welcome, included, and finds connection to the ineffable mystery beyond our understanding. And so we propose gathering around food. This is a different kind of gathering. A gathering in each of our communities and each of our homes that opens our doors and hearts to everyone.
Churches, Synagogues, Masjids, and other Religious & Cultural Communities!! Hold picnics and BBQ’s! Read prayers of inclusion!
Cities, towns, and counties! Make statements of inclusion for all citizens!
Schools! Ensure that your students know that hate speech is unwelcome and teach them the hard parts of history!
Families! Discuss the history of white supremacy with your children!
Bloggers! Splash the world with a voice that proclaims that this is a new day!
Make a public stand that the alt-right will not win the day. Love always wins.
Please sign on and let us know if you will be holding an event or making a public statement or declaration where the values of hope, love, and inclusion will be uplifted. We must let the world know that hate will not win! And that our numbers are much stronger than the puny amount they expect to rally. We are strong together! Mighty! #UniteWithMight !
Note: We are hosting a virtual Unite with Might event at The BeZine on August 11 and 12. You’ll be able to post thoughts, activies, videos, art, poetry – whatever can go into a comment. This will enable your support and participation even if there is no event accessible near you. It will also allow you to share what you are doing with others in Unite with Might. / J.D.
ORGANIZING AROUND PEACE, JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABILITY
I took this photo at Moe’s Books in Berkeley, CA. Michael is the gentleman in the hat and Terri is the lovely woman with the camera. Michael Rothenberg and Terri Carrion are cofounders of 100tpc. If you came up in the ’60s and especially if you are a Beat fan, you’ll recognize others in the photograph.
“100 Thousand Poets for Change thrives because we organize around something other than our literary careers, something more than our recent publications. 100 Thousand Poets for Change thrives because we organize around peace, justice and sustainability, and we have set our priorities. Immigration, gender inequality, global warming, police brutality, censorship, homelessness, war are among those priorities. 100 Thousand Poets for Change thrives because we know it is essential to build a global community that will work together to make a better world, a global community which will exchange information to make us smarter and more informed about the needs that exist beyond our own bubble, and to learn new strategies from our friends around the world, to make us better organizers who can build that better world. We write, we demonstrate, we rally, we create, we raise funds for homeless and assist food banks, we are engaged… [because so many] are willing to sacrifice their time and energy to make good things happen. Will you join us? If so, connect with us on our Facebook Page and register at 100tcp.org.” Michael Rothenberg
Note: Don’t forget that on September 29, Saturday, we’ll host a virtual 100tpc at The BeZine. American Israeli poet, Michael Dickel (Meta/ Phor(e) /Play and The BeZine) will officiate. / J.D.
In 2011, Michael Rothenberg and his partner Terri Carrion co-founded 100 Thousand Poets for Change [100tpc], a global poetry and arts movement with an emphasis on peace, justice, sustainability and education.
100tpc assists poets and artists around the world in organizing and planning events in their local communities, which promote social, environmental, and political change. Over 500 events take place in 100 countries each year. Events include poetry readings, music and dance concerts, art exhibits, art and activism workshops and street demonstrations.
100 Thousand Poets for Change is an annual event but 100 Thousand Poets for Change activities take place year round.
ABUELAS RESPONDEN / GRANNIES RESPOND
The abuelas are asking what you are willing to sacrifice now that the most vulnerable are threatened by violence, separation, and hate. They are calling on women and men to come out and caravan with them to the Mexican Border to protest the abuses there. Details HERE.
If you are viewing this post from an email subscription you’ll likely have to link through to the site to see this video.
Poet and writer, I was once columnist and associate editor of a regional employment publication. Currently I run this site, The Poet by Day, an information hub for poets and writers. I am the managing editor of The BeZine published by The Bardo Group Beguines (originally The Bardo Group), a virtual arts collective I founded. I am a weekly contributor to Beguine Again, a site showcasing spiritual writing.
My work is featured in a variety of publications and on sites, including: Levure littéraure, Ramingo’s Porch, Vita Brevis Literature,Compass Rose, Connotation Press, The Bar None Group, Salamander Cove, Second Light, I Am Not a Silent Poet, Meta / Phor(e) /Play, and California Woman.
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“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good [wo]men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke
Have you signed up to organize an event in your area. If not, hop too. What’s keeping you? Connect with Co-founder Michael Rothenberg for details or go to 100tpc.org.
Michael reports: “Over 200 events are confirmed for 100 Thousand Poets for Change 2018 Global Initiative! Welcome to organizers Pietro Sanzeri, Cianciana, Italy/ Cristina Raskopf Norcross-Oconomowoc, WI/ Tony Frisby– Brighton, United Kingdom/ and Suzanne Malesic-Charles Town, West Virginia! Spread the word. Organize!”
and further …
“Shout out 100 Thousand Poets for Change organizers Mbizo Chirasha-Harare, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana and Zambia / Gianmario Marica- Alghero, Italy/ Delasnieve Daspet– Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil/ ADA LILIA CASTAÑEDA NEVAREZ- Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. Join these great poets and artists in spreading the word of peace. September 29 is the global day.”
and more …
“100 Thousand Poets for Change, a global community, welcomes organizers from Iran, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Venezuela, North Korea, and every other country in the world. Our vision is peace, justice and sustainability. We will work together!”
Co-founder Terri Carrionposted a small selection of the posters that are already making their way into the world. Check out these posters and go to 100TPC.org to see if there is already something scheduled in your area.
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And please don’t forget: Our virtual event at The BeZine on the 29th with Master of Ceremonies, American-Israeli Poet, Michael Dickel (Meta/ Phor(e) /Play). You will be able to participate in this event no matter where you are in the world and there’s no reason why you can’t do both our virtual event and an offline event should you choose to do so. Between us, Michael and I will keep the virtual event going for at least 24 hours. Yes! It’s a marathon. I’ll be posting details on how the virtual event works soon. It’s easy-peasy, as they say. You’ll enjoy.
Our September 15 edition of The BeZine will focus on Social Justice with a subsection: Be the Peace. I’ll update the submissions page on The BeZine shortly (and alert you here – Sigh! just getting out of ISP hell – thumbs down to service provider Sonic) and I’ll offer regular updates in Sunday Announcements on The Poet by Day. The deadline for submissions to the September issue is August 10 and I’ll respond to submissions after they are all in. Keep in mind that we’re not just after poems: flash fiction, fiction, creative nonfiction, photography, art, videos, music videos on social justice and being the peace are welcome, anything that can be incorporated into an post.
Rock with us …
“A poet’s work . . . to name the unnamable, to point at frauds, to take sides, start arguments, shape the world and stop it from going to sleep.” Salman Rushdie
Our lovely poster was designed by team-member, Corian Ravenscraft. Visit her HERE.
Poet and writer, I was once columnist and associate editor of a regional employment publication. Currently I run this site, The Poet by Day, an information hub for poets and writers. I am the managing editor of The BeZine published by The Bardo Group Beguines (originally The Bardo Group), a virtual arts collective I founded. I am a weekly contributor to Beguine Again, a site showcasing spiritual writers.
My work is featured in a variety of publications and on sites, including: Levure littéraure, Ramingo’s Porch, Vita Brevis Literature,Compass Rose, Connotation Press, The Bar None Group, Salamander Cove, Second Light, I Am Not a Silent Poet, Meta / Phor(e) /Play, and California Woman.
Thank you for sharing your love of words. Comments will appear after moderation.
“The next 100 Thousand Poets for Change (100TPC) global initiative will take place on September 29. I can’t emphasize too much how important I feel it is to organize globally this year, how important it is for poets and artists to raise their voices in unity with greater strength and conviction than in years past. I believe we are at a crossroads and we must make ourselves heard together. Please sign up* to show the world that we are here together again! . . . Peace, Justice and Sustainability. We will not be broken!” Poet, Publisher and Co-founder of 100,000 Poets for Change, Michael Rothenberg
“Il prossimo evento 100 Thousand Poeti per un cambiamento una iniziativa globale sarà il 29 settembre.
Io non vorrei enfatizzare troppo quanto io sento importante per i poeti e gli artisti di far crescere uniti la loro voce con grande forza e convizione rispetto gli anni passati.
Io credo che siamo ad una svolta importante e dobbiamo rimanere con forza uniti .
Molti di voi siete già stati con me in questo evento ma desidero che vi segnate di nuovo in questa lista per mostrare che noi siamo ancora insieme tutti!
Postate la vostra città ed io i assegnerò per organizzare nella vostra città.
Pace Giustizia e Sostenibilità. Noi non vogliamo essere piegati e spezzati!”
* Michael adds that, “Many of you have already been with me in this event but I want you to mark yourself again on this list to show that we are still together everyone!” You can sign-up on-line (follow the link to 100TPC) or connect with Michael on Facebook and give him your city. He will assign you to organize in your city.
Peace – Justice – Sustainability
Mark your calendars, sign-up for 100TPC to host an event in your area, and join with us at The BeZine for our Virtual 100TPC …
Artwork by The Bardo Group Beguines team-member, Corina Ravenscraft (Dragon’s Dreams) for The BeZine, 100,000 Poets (and Others) for Change, 2018
Each year at The BeZine we participate in this global effort by hosting a virtual event. This makes it convenient for folks all over the world to take part even if there isn’t an event in their area or if for some reason they are homebound. More details will follow here and at The BeZine as we get closer to the date. Michael Dickel is – as has become a lovely tradition – our Master of Ceremonies.
Questions about the Zine 100TPC? Email me at bardogroup@gmail.com
“My Aunt Yvonne and Uncle Larry gave me The Golden Book of Poetry, which was published in 1947. I kept it for years. Sometimes my aunt would read it to me. Absolute delight! (I can still hear her voice.) As I grew older I became aware that famous writers wrote the poems: Robert Louis Stevenson, Walter de la Mare and others. The poems were playful, relevant and stayed with me. There was one by Walter de la Mare, The Cupboard, in which a fat little grandmother rations out Banbury Cakes and lollipops.
Jamie Dedes' THE POET BY DAY Webzine 