The Caribbean Book Blog reminds us of the extraordinary project under way—“Poets from around the world are preparing to come together to make their voices heard and to support growing calls for change”—and of the need for increased participation by Caribbean poets and artists.
This major event, launched and coordinated by Michael Rothenberg and fellow poet and assistant editor of Big Bridge Terri Carrion, aims to bring together 100,000 poets, writers and artists from around the world in a celebration of poetry and the arts. These artists will arrange activities in their local communities to inspire members of the community to come together in solidarity for promoting “meaningful social and political change.” This global event will take place in as many cities as possible on Saturday, September 24, 2011, from 11:30am until 11:30pm.
The 100 Thousand Poets for Change team are eager to have Caribbean poets join in and be part of the event. Michael Rothenberg writes, “I am making a call out to Caribbean organizers. We do not have adequate representation in the Caribbean region. Please join us in this poetry and arts community action. An event can be large or small, but we hope to include your voice in this initiative. Just write to me at walterblue@bigbridge.org and I will create a city event page for you at the website. Join us for September 24.”
Each community group will create their own event, choose the location and invite people to participate. The event could be poetry sessions, a concert, a demonstration, an art and craft exhibition, a candlelight vigil, inviting guest speakers – whatever you think is appropriate and can be used to highlight local concerns. It can be big or small – even a one-person event. Each local organizer will decide what theme to focus on – for example, peace, justice, equality, support for the poor, freedom of speech or more specific causes like environmental protection, universal health care and other social issues that need attention in your area.
It is important that the event (or at least part of it) be held outdoors in full public view. It’s also crucial that it be documented – videos, photos, poems, journals, blog and website postings, paintings. That way you can share news and highlights of your event with the rest of the 100 Thousand Poets for Change and find out how all the groups did in their campaign for change. Don’t forget to invite the media to cover the proceedings.
100 Thousand Poets for Change will organize participants by local region, city, or state, and looks forward to working with individuals in each area who would like to organize their local event.
For the full Caribbean Book Blog post, see http://caribbeanbookblog.wordpress.com/2011/07/14/%e2%80%9cwe-have-a-goal%e2%80%9d-caribbean-poets-encouraged-to-join-100-thousand-poets-in-the-call-for-change/
For more information and updates on the event, see www.bigbridge.org/100thousandpoetsforchange or the 100 Thousand Poets for Change Facebook event page
