Vendor Writing

Reverend Barber, National Hero

BY FREEPRESSGMA, CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

If you’re not terribly poor, try to schedule a weekend in D.C. to represent those of us who are too poor to attend. Alternatively, you can sign up to attend online.

The Poor People’s Campaign has a branch in Tennessee. Note: You don’t have to be poor in order to advocate, sponsor, or participate.

As we have learned, our own health and financial well being is woefully dependent on the financial health of our poorest. Remember how the economy perked right up and continued to thrive during and after the pandemic because we looked after our poor folk very well at that time, with infusions of money, free internet, free medical care and the like.

To join the Tennessee Poor People’s Campaign, visit: www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/ committee/tennessee/

Rev. William J. Barber was born in the early sixties and still remembers Martin Luther King’s Assassination.

His parents brought him to North Carolina after having moved North, because they felt Integration was that important.

Reverend Barber has been a passionate advocate for poor people’s rights ever since.

Reverend Barber instigated “Moral Mondays” in response to racist and classist agendas that have been broadcast consistently over the last 40 or more years, resulting in a “ Moral Majority” that is actually in the minority.

Reverend Barber has helped poor and marginalized communities reclaim words such as “morality “ for themselves, letting love, inclusion and equality back into the public dialogue.

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WHO KNEW?

BY FREEPRESSGMA, CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

Nashville’s City Parks are true Community Hubs.

Sure, everyone knows you can go to a city park to walk your dog, let the kids stretch out a bit or have a picnic.

But did you know our community centers, located within our city parks (usually) have free senior programs, after school programs, summer camps, showers, pools, game rooms, lounges, libraries, craft and art rooms, dance floors and lots of warm friendly neighbors who look out for each other, make play dates, dance together, swim together — you get the idea.

All the small town/village activities you may have given up to join the big city are available at your nearest Metro Community Center.

O.K., so maybe not all, but a good game of Spades with real people sure beats playing a bot. Plus, how much safe and sober public space for play is there in a city, really?

I mean the free kind.

Let’s be clear: Our tax dollars are paying for it, so it doesn’t cost up front.

So if you really want to “belong” in Nashville, give your nearest Metro Community Center a look/see.