Real Hartford

Reflection on Rachel’s Words

I was born the same year as Rachel Corrie, the dead woman whose letters home I read at the Quaker Meeting House tonight. I am thinking a lot about parallel lives these days. Maybe parallel is not the right word for it, but I can’t think of a better one. When I watched Persepolis, I thought about how Marjane, only a few years older than me, grew up in a war zone. What I feel about this cannot be described as guilt. It’s more like awe. There are some overlaps between us, despite what would otherwise be lives defined by opposite sides of the planet. The punk scene seemed to interestingly save and alienate us both. Being headstrong and vocal got us both into trouble. Yet her adolescence was wrought with gender-based oppression, bombs, and just a generally stifling and dangerous environment. My run-ins with peers at school over pieces of my own identity were nothing in comparison. I never had to fear imprisonment for speaking out. Continue reading Reflection on Rachel’s Words…

Rubber Ducky, You’re So Poisonous

From what I can make out of my mom’s stories, I was the good kid who listened to sensible advice (dictates) given by my parents. I did not experiment with laundry detergent, prescription drugs, or Draino. I never licked the house; hence, I have never experienced the joys of random poisoning. My younger brother, on the other hand, inherited the daredevil genes, which explains why he would get tattoo sleeves years after sticking keys into sockets and sampling household cleaners.

After spending some time around friends’ babies, I have learned that I was an anomaly, and that apparently most kids (not just my bizarre little brother) put non-food items in their mouths.

On Wednesday, March 12th there will be a “No More Toxic Toys” rally at the State Capitol. This family-friendly event begins at 10am and promises to have a 25-foot-tall rubber ducky. The rally provides a chance for people to speak with legislators about toxic chemicals found in children’s toys. This rally is a project of the Coalition for a Safe & Healthy Connecticut.

Anti-War Resolution Update

The anti-war resolution will be brought before City Council tonight. The full draft of the resolution is posted over at Undercurrents. Hundreds of other cities have passed such resolutions.

Gender Identity and Expression Forum

The CT TransAdvocacy Coalition announces:

On Wednesday, February 20, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Anti-Discrimination Coalition will be holding an educational forum on the Gender Identity and Expression Anti-Discrimination Bill in room 2A at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, to be followed by a lobby day event. […]

This is your chance to learn about the Trans Anti-discrimination bill to be raised in the upcoming CT Legislative session and its impact on our state’s residents. Following the forum you will have the opportunity to talk to your representatives about the bill and why it is important, with materials provided by the Anti-Discrimination Coalition. See TransEqualityCT.org website for background information and bill updates to be released during the 2008 CT Legislative session.

The panel will feature Rachel Goldberg, Jennifer Levi, Virginia Levasseur and Jerimarie Liesegang. Panelists will discuss proposed legislation that would add the phrase “gender identity or expression” to Connecticut’s non-discrimination law, thereby prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression in education, employment, housing, public accommodations and lending. Should this bill pass, Connecticut will be joining 13 other states and Washington, DC in protecting its residents from this kind of discrimination.

Since this event is in the middle of what is a work day for many people, here are some links you might find useful. If you would like to get more involved, there are email addresses provided for the contact people:

Bill Q & A
Bill Info
People of Faith
TransEquality Connecticut

Exposed and Out in the Cold

The footage above was taken by Christine Stuart of CT Newsjunkie. You can read her full article about the protest of Aetna here.

Green Activism on New Britain Avenue

The Green Vibration, formerly known as the Alchemy Juice Bar, seems to have rediscovered their mission. Last month they opened the eco-boutique in the space that’d been used as a yoga studio. The “juice bar” is now known as the Alchemy Cafe. The menu doesn’t seem to have changed any, but what’s most noticeable is the chalkboard wall covered in what looks like someone’s (or several people’s) environmentally-friendly brainstorm for Hartford. Some of the ideas listed on the board/wall: solar powered monorail, roof gardens, and reminders to boycott Wal*Mart and Home Depot. They’re also starting a cooperative, but there is an error on the information page for that– there are several farmers’ markets in Hartford, not just the Billings Forge one. Anyway, the food buyer’s club option is an appealing way to sidestep places like Whole Foods and Wild Oats, which have what I need but charge too much for it.

Local Anti-War Action Friday

On Saturday there will be buses (allegedly, but I can’t seem to find any info about where they will be located in Hartford) bringing people to Boston for a large protest.

For those who would prefer not to use excessive energy to make a point, there will be a picket in front of the recruiting station on Pearl Street from noon-3pm.

The press releases I’ve seen on this have come with making huge promises of “shutting down the war machine” when people don’t go to work or school on Friday. It’s more laughable than appropriate to make those types of claims, especially since most workers do not have the luxury to just take an afternoon off. It’s going to take more than one day of an idle workforce to shut down the government, and would require a mass exodus from state/government employees in particular. Not trying to rain on anyone’s picket line here, but let’s just call it what it is–one more of the steady war protests happening at any given time around the country.

Tear Down Guantanamo

Amnesty International has set up a neat petition   to get rid of Guantanamo, and as people sign, you can see an image slowly disappear.

March for Justice: Greater Hartford Rally in Support of the Jena Six

• because the punishment does not fit the crime
• because racism is on America’s schoolyards
• because the disruption and hostility of a noose goes unpunished

This Saturday at 9 a.m., area activists will meet at the intersection of Main and Albany, at the old Firestone. After holding a press conference, they will march to Bushnell Park beginning at 10a.m. Organizers ask that activists wear black to show solidarity.

For additional information, contact Cornell Lewis or Thirman L. Milner at 860.246.4656

Hartford’s Drums of Oil

While West Hartford has an encore edition of ceramic cows on parade, Hartford has its repeat theme of oil drum art. The first Oil Drum Art exhibit at Art Space was not, as a whole, overtly political, but this one was, with only a few exceptions. To me, art that is not making some kind of political statement or observation is basically worthless. Continue reading Hartford’s Drums of Oil…