Nov
The Drinking Fountain
I found this cast-iron plaque in an antique store in Northern Idaho. How does this small monument make you feel? What does it make you think, or remember? It is history, but it is not in the past, as history should be.
“The past isn’t dead. It isn’t even past.”
William Faulkner
I remember a road trip across America as a 19-year-old with my friend Brian, stopping to see a movie one humid evening in Mississippi. We found our seats in an empty theater, but then heard murmurings and chatter, even a little laughter, from above. Then we realized that “coloreds” were restricted to the balcony, and we privileged California white boys could pick our seats down below. We walked out of that dark theater in impotent, tight-jawed protest. I can’t remember what movie was playing; I can’t forget the shame and outrage.
It all came back when I saw this plaque that had somehow migrated from the Deep South to an innocuous shelf in an antique store.
In under 500 words, tell us a story about your own encounters growing up with racism, either as perpetrator, victim, or passive vessel accumulating poison a drop at a time. Alternatively, write an essay this small, cruel monument compels. Or write a poem of healing or hurting. Or a conversation that takes place in 1931 between a parent and child who enter a diner in Alabama, the child asking what it means. Use you talents to write the best thing you have ever written.
Posting stories will begin when we have accumulated 15 stories, and end when we have accumulated 100, or March 7th( the anniversary of the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge), whichever comes first. You will be able to help select the finalists, and the final entries will be judged by Pulitzer Prize winner Jonathan Freedman. We are offering a prize of $500 to our winner for the story that most inspires us. We are waiving the entrance fee to be certain that everyone who wants to participate can do so, but request donations of between $10 and $100 to defray the cost of our prize and promotion. Send your submission as a word doc attachment to thorn@awordwithyoupress.com and Paypal sponsorship money to the same address.
“I can’t run no more
With that modest crowd
While the killers in high places
Say their prayers and vows.
But they’ve summoned,
they’ve summoned up a thunder cloud…
They’re gonna hear from me.”
(Leonard Cohen)
Let’s hear from you.
Thank you
Thorn Sully, Editor-in-Chief
Question: Wasn’t the original word limit 1000 not 500 words? Both of my entries which have already bee submitted are each 1000 words long. If I need to rewrite, please let me know.
Best wishes on this most important sharing of word submissions,
Pafia
you are right, but we will take yours at the higher number. We reduced the word count to make it easier for people to enter.
Thank you, Mr. Sully. I hope your contest will encourage many courageous and pointant stories to be sent in from personal experiences from around this interconnected world. Let the thunder and lightening of the truth roll across our screens, so that this nation and others may hear and see a day of true equality and respect that is thousands of years past due.
Pafia
I have resubmitted both of my entries, rewritten and edited down to 500 words each to honour the spirit of this contest. Please use the shorter versions if possible, but being welcomed into this amazing community of artist and creative people is reward enough.
Pafia
Hi Thorn. I’m truly delighted to hear your daughter is sufficiently healed for you’se to initiate new beginnings including a contest with an edgy tale of perspective to tell. In keeping with the theme, I shall summon another 500 words as soon as I can. The following is a simple offering. Happy Thanksgiving. 🙂
Celestial Smoothie
The earth moves around the sun, still
Stillness shattered by gunfire, someone hurt
Paper carrying ideas and insight, wrinkled
Engines making power from oil, pollution
Civilization throbbing with action, labor
Babies thrusting into the world, hope
Somewhere the universe blossoms, stars
Humans whirling on a mote in the galaxy, survival
Forever, each day celebrated, joy
Are the number of entries, by any one person, still limited to two?
Pafia
yes!
Thorn – wishing your daughter a full recovery –
As you and many of your readers/writers know I am working on web and app services for helping people not only keep safe, but to raise their level of awareness and mindfulness in life. Mindfulness coupled with predefined actions supporting intentions, are designed to make it easier to do the right thing.
I am seeking content that will help people raise their awareness and mindfulness to effectively deal with personal, family, business, and community concerns.
I would be delighted to hear from anyone with ideas and time to help us get ready to publish,
Best wishes and a quick recovery to your daughter!
Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and social activist Jonathan Freedman has agreed to judge the contest
Oh, I am checking in on this one my Lords and Ladies.
Hi folks, and hugs Pafia.
Ugliest human beastie troll to ever raise a slimy neck, racism.
I am IN!
Awesome opportunity and right in line with my current project! I look forward to submitting – thank you for your time!
Sunny
why not tell us a little about your project in the comments? Look forward to your entry submission
Hope this contest is still open! Should it be 500 words exactly or can it be less than?
Sure! I’m working on an autoethnography detailing my experience as an Asian adoptee raised by well-meaning but disastrously racist White parents. While transracial adoption is the foundation for the project, I’m using it as a platform to tie the complex history of race relations in the US to a larger discussion on current racial attitudes and policies.
This submission contest is a FANTASTIC chance to share what I’ve been working on for so long. I’ve been practicing creative non-fiction/memoir since it differs from my typical writing style, so these opportunities are valuable learning experiences (and really fun).
Thanks again!
Sunny
A very timely contest – hoping to submit something soon.
Hey Sunny, I would be first in line to read your work.
Interesting!
See you around 🙂
No, you won’t. That would be me
Haha, thanks to both of you! Now I’m even more excited to write this piece.
-Sunny
lmao 🙂