A crisis is a sure-fire way of figuring out what is
important in life. In my life, Charles and my dear friends are most important
to me, followed by the communities I interact with closely through Bywords.ca
and AngelHousePress, my neighbourhood and city, my writing, and the literary
community at large (local, Canadian, American, international) writers and
publishers.
I’ve been checking up on friends via e-mail and FB
messenger, mostly to see how they’re doing and to offer an ear and
commiseration. I’m not a phone or text person, but will even use the phone and
text, if need be. And lovely friends have also been helping me by checking in
as well, which is really wonderful and helpful.
I’ve adapted my attempts to find events for the
Bywords.ca calendar to include virtual readings and performances offered by
local writers and organizers, when I’ve found them. I’ve shared other relevant
info on funding sources and ways to help writers. I’d love to see more poetry
submissions. Understandably they’re lower at this time.
Activities at AngelHousePress have already been busy this
month through NationalPoetryMonth.ca. In addition, I’ve been working on podcast
episodes that don’t require in-person involvement from others. The podcast is
very important to me as another way of connecting with kindred misfits and
promoting and supporting poets and publishers, as well as a way to explore
craft.
I’ve come to understand that AngelHousePress’s key role
is to advocate for and give voice to those who are often treated as lesser than,
not only in the mainstream publishing world, but also in society, in general.
The Covid-19 pandemic has shed even more light on classicism and ableism, and
the inadequacies of capitalism. I feel more excited than ever about what a woman-run
micropress can do to help others. I’m listening and watching for opportunities
to help in ways that are within my abilities. An essay about the changing role
of AngelHousePress will be coming out on periodicities, the new journal rob
mclennan runs, in May.
I was feeling / still feel guilty that I am not able to
deliver groceries to people or run errands for them. I don’t have a car and I
don’t drive. I decided that something I could do was keep a list of resources
for those who didn’t fit in with the white het car owning house owning
narrative that dominates the response to the pandemic in Canada and particularly
locally. That and donating as much money as I can afford to local support
groups for the vulnerable, and culture groups.
I’ve already spoken about the Google spreadsheet, advice
for the rest of us.
here’s the link again. I’m concerned about the increased powers being given
functionaries, such as bylaw officers and the police. Someone wrote recently
that the police are 22-year-olds with guns and this is exactly why I’m
concerned. I’ve also seen a lot of authoritarian and bureaucratic behaviour surface
and it worries me. Yes, we all need to do our parts to stay home as much as we’re
able and obey physical distancing rules, but if the authorities apply fines indiscriminately
and don’t lead with care and education, marginalized groups already beaten down
by the system and prejudice are going to be the ones to pay and suffer. This
isn’t something we should support.
I’m doing my best to support publishers and organizers in
their events and will share info and purchase gift cards and e-books as much as
I can reasonably afford to try to ensure we continue to have a publishing
industry and a grassroots micropress industry in this country.
Governments who have made arts and culture a low priority
are finally learning (or seem to be) about how essential the arts are at this
time. Let’s hope they remember it.
With that in mind, if you haven’t already, donate to a cherished
cause related to Covid-19 and vulnerable communities to obtain anthologies published
collaboratively by Canadian presses Collusion Books and 845. Info is available here.
The main thing I’m asking myself these days is what can I
do to support and help others. Family, whether blood or chosen, and community are
most important these days.
Current handwashing song: Yesterday by the Beatles. Thanks, William @neoncloth for this fun and great way to practice good hygiene during Covid-19 and beyond.
No comments:
Post a Comment