winter/spring

2022

Editorial

There is a reason that the most inspiring movements, works of art, songs, books, speeches, and actions often feel as though they belong to the future. And it isn’t because… Read More

Walk into the Womb Womxn House Detroit

Womb Artist Jessica DeMuro Graves and Laura Earle“…Where we commune with our first true understandings of self and connection.” Antepasados Artist Rosa Maria Zamarron “…Learning to cook from my… Read More

TURDS AND TURNIPS (A Story-Poem)

A man consistently and intentionally leaves turds in your hands. Day after day, week after week after month after year. The turds stink and stain. They attract flies. Because you… Read More

Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: Implementing Well-Being Practices in Your Organization Benefits The Organization, The Movement, and Recognizes Our Humanity.

After surviving cancer, managing depression, and what feels like a perpetual string of life challenges I currently live my life in a perpetual state of self-reflection, self-awareness, and self-improvement. That… Read More

Building Pipelines For Peace: Pandemic Perspectives

Over the past two years, the chasm in our society between the “haves” and the “have nots” has grown to glaringly obscene levels. We’ve lost numerous members of our family,… Read More

Climate Change Won’t Wait! Neither Should We! The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition Demands Community Led Action for a Healthy and Just Future.

Since it’s founding in 2011, The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC) has worked tirelessly to put the needs of community members over those of corporations and front and center in… Read More

imagine

i am fast. like the travel of time around a foreign planet, i present tomorrow before you could process the day that is. Rhythmic chants of people’s passionate cries taken… Read More

An Ode to Rev. Mama Sandra Simmons

This majestic African bird with outstretched wings has taken high flight upwards... upwards... beyond earthly timeless time and spaceless space Her sweet voice and laughter song echo in the chambers… Read More

“No Time”

Boog Brown “No Time” 2014 Produced by Illastrate Working Class Music “Boog Brown” aka "Boogie" is a Black Woman and multi-talented audio artist, based out of Detroit, MI. Growing up,… Read More

Shut Down Line 5 Action Camp in Detroit

The Michigan Coalition Against Tar Sands (MI CATS) hosted an art build/skillshare with the People's Water Board Coalition at the General Baker Institute in Detroit in January 2022. The water… Read More

Waawiyaatanong: From The Ashes, She Rises

Hadassah GreenSky is a Anishinaabe (LTBB Odawa) artist and multi-instrumentalist living in Detroit, Michigan. She is a graphic designer and painter, as well as a bead worker, dancer, seamstress, and… Read More

Why Black Bottom Matters: Black History Informing Black Futures

During Black History Month, Black people are reminded about the importance of history. It is a time of posts spotlighting the significant advancements of exceptional Black elders and ancestors, a… Read More

Strange Fruit Quilt: A Loving Ancestral Remembrance

The quilt, Strange Fruit, is named after a song by the late Billie Holiday, and it is dedicated to Ida Bell Wells-Barnett, an African American newspaper journalist and author… Read More

A Ceremony For Hearing Our Own Wisdom

For most of history, stories have been passed down from person to person, sharing tools, lessons, values, forewarnings and healing. I recently hosted a story and ceremony workshop, sponsored by… Read More

The Theft of Belle Isle

photos taken at Belle Isle by Kenneth Smith Every spring, access to Belle Isle is shut down. The most popular end of the island is closed to Detroiters for almost… Read More

A Call To Do-It-yourself Community Health

Reconnecting to Nature and the Land Saved My Life by Lottie Spady In 2014 I started my formal herbal education and healing journey. In many ways I had lost my… Read More

Lessons From the Poletown Plant

A revised version of this article was previously published in the February 9 edition of "The Detroit Socialist." Now that General Motors has announced its decision to close the Poletown… Read More

Water Affordability and the Green New Deal

The lessons of the last decade and a half fighting for a real Water Affordability Plan (WAP) in Detroit may shed some light on what’s ahead for the Green New… Read More

Riverwise Editorial: Giving Way To Transition

Winter is giving way to spring. As the seasons shift, there is new energy emerging in our neighborhoods. Critical questions are taking on a sense of urgency as people are… Read More

Test

Land— Our Common Heritage and Trust

As we approach the end of the harvest season and a tumultuous year, let’s take a moment to look back and reflect. Sometimes in the midst of change, the most… Read More