The Women Issue
First, I thank Carrie Grossman, our senior editor, who takes the lead on our Women issue and does a terrific job. Together Carrie and I spoke with Alicia Garza, cofounder of Black Lives Matter. Alicia identifies as black and queer and grew up in Marin County. A lifelong activist, she was outraged by the acquittal of George Zimmerman, who shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in 2012. What ensued was a love letter to black people on Facebook that concluded “Our Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter.” The rest is history, as a rapidly growing movement ensued and Black Lives Matter has become synonymous with a global protest phenomenon.
Though queer-centric and feminist, Alicia famously opposed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. Living in Oakland, Alicia is a young firebrand representing a new wave of activism. We think you’ll appreciate learning about her and hearing her perspectives.
In a similar vein, we have a superb photo essay by South African artists Maneo Mohale and Neo Baepi titled “Black Feminist Joy.” This is an insight into the lives of these extraordinary black women. Take time to explore this. Also, you’ll surely appreciate Frances Rains’s beautiful essay “Murmurs in the Wind: Native American Women and the Struggle for Representation, ” while Jenny Pacanowski provides a poignant perspective of a female veteran’s in “A Female Veteran’s Homecoming: Trauma and Transformation.” Courageous women, all!
There are a lot of clever essays in this issue, starting with Sherry Ross’s “The Vagina Revolution Is On” and Zoë Kors’s “Why Sex Is Important for Women.” Betsy Prioleau contributed “The Seductress Revisited” and Danielle Dulsky gives us “Your Wild Rhythm: Liberating the Witch Within.” Hilary Hart added “Bring Your Heart to Simple Things: Remembering the Hidden Power of the Feminine” and Lorina Manzanita reminds us about “Healthy Boundaries: A Woman’s Learning Curve.” And that’s not all. There’s a lot to absorb and reflect on in this Women issue.
We lament the tragic deaths that took place in Las Vegas and pray this stops. What does it say that these horrendous acts are rarely carried out by women?
We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming Science and Nonduality (SAND) Conference in San Jose. That’s a favorite, and fun. Bioneers is happening in San Rafael—always an important gathering of the tribe.
As ever, we urge you to show your appreciation of Common Ground by patronizing its sponsors—the best! And please consider becoming an advertiser yourself or recommending us to a friend. You will be helping support local independent media—a good thing to do!
November is our 43rd anniversary Gratitude issue and December-January is Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise. Please reach out if you think there’s something that should be on our radar.
Again, thanks, Carrie, for your special contribution. You make Common Ground—and the world—a better place.
Lives Matter,
ROB SIDON, PUBLISHER AND EDITOR IN CHIEF