Issue 12: “The tortured artist,” my poetry, and me
A new essay on the relationship between creativity and mental health.
Hello, Strawberries!
Just a quick reminder that I’ll be sharing some poetry at the Miss Manhattan Non-Fiction Reading in NYC and I’d love to see you there! Here are the deets:
Where: Niagara (112 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009)
When: Monday, June 5 at 7:30 pm
What: A reading featuring your boy, me!
(Psst…the space may fill up quickly, so try to arrive a lil’ early!)
1. Article: “What Is The Relationship Between My Mental Health Struggles And My Creativity?”
My new essay for Well+Good, featuring expert (and profoundly eloquent!) insights from my wonderful sister Jess.
2. Impact Work: Protect The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
Passed in 1978, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) protects American Indian and Alaska Native kids in child welfare proceedings by keeping them in the care of their extended family or Tribes whenever possible.
In Haaland v. Brackeen, a Supreme Court case awaiting decision, a group of white adoptive parents, backed by a powerful law firm and right-wing groups with ties to Big Oil, want the Supreme Court to dismantle ICWA. If successful, the challenge will endanger the health and well-being of Native children, along with Tribal sovereignty as a whole.
Check out the #ProtectICWA work I’m doing with IllumiNative, and learn how to get involved.
3. Recommendations: Miscellaneous Recs For Your Eyes And Ears And Brain And Heart!
Coming in hot:
Podcast: Wind of Change – Did the CIA write a German rock song that helped end the Cold War?
Article: “The Fugitive Princesses Forced To Return To Dubai” – big thanks to loyal Strawberry and wonderful friend Adam for the back copies of The New Yorker, which featured this wildly compelling – and infuriating – story of the women who have gone to truly unimaginable lengths to escape their father’s oppressive rule and how world leaders have tried to stop them.
Song: “April Come She Will” – my other wonderful friend Aaron and I have this lifelong project to create our top-10 favorite songs of all time. This gorgeous, tragic Simon and Garfunkel track is already locked in on mine.
Book: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow – I can’t remember the last time this many people in my life read (and loved!) a book. Do yourself a favor and check it out this summer.
That’s all!
With love and thanks and winds of change,
Ben