by Ashley Cooper | Jun 6, 2020 | Asheville/Buncombe County, BlackLivesMatter
White Asheville (and other places) — However you’re able, please march today. March in the streets starting at 12 at the YMI guided by Black organizers and centering the leadership of youth, let your body show the numbers of us who are in this together....
by Ashley Cooper | Jun 3, 2020 | BlackLivesMatter, Racial Justice, White Supremacy Culture
White friends who want to do something to support Black lives, I need you to LISTEN to Jessica Norwood, please. There’s a lot for us to hear in this offering. And 2 things stand out for my specific network of friends. Talk to the White people in your life. Your...
by Ashley Cooper | May 22, 2020 | Asheville/Buncombe County, Organizational Development, Pandemic, White Supremacy Culture
I’m oscillating between intense heartache and slithers of hope. We have a rare opportunity to do things differently and yet I see so many leaders (and neighbors) making decisions that lead to the same harmful outcomes. White supremacy culture is tricky. It...
by Ashley Cooper | May 22, 2020 | Asheville/Buncombe County, Organizational Development, Pandemic, White Supremacy Culture
I’m oscillating between intense heartache and slithers of hope. We have a rare opportunity to do things differently and yet I see so many leaders (and neighbors) making decisions that lead to the same harmful outcomes. White supremacy culture is tricky. It...
by Ashley Cooper | May 8, 2020 | Economy of Care, Emotional Health, Grief, Pandemic, Personal Reflections
Today the state of North Carolina enters into its first phase of what folks call opening back up. I’m getting hung up on the phrase opening back up. Who is opening? What is being opened? Who/what had a chance to close? Who stopped? Who had to keep going? What...
