Subversion
Lately, I’ve had the overriding feeling that our world, or should I say country, is spinning out of control. The systems and institutions built to protect our fundamental rights have wielded their power in oppressive and discriminating ways. And while these instances of repression and injustice have been building for several years, it now feels as if we are at a crucial juncture. As writers, we hold a superpower to undermine authority and break down systems of oppression. As the famous quote by Audre Lorde states, “My silences had not protected me. Your silence will not protect you.” There is a critical need for us writers to use our ideas and truths to influence change in the world. There is power in stepping out of the shadows and using our words. As Lorde says:
“But for every real word spoken, for every attempt I had ever made to speak those truths for which I am still seeking, I had made contact with other women while we examined the words to fit a world in which we all believed, bridging our differences.”
Our poetry, essays, and stories can bridge our differences and be an antidote to oppression and discrimination in our lives, our communities, and the world. Each of the pieces in Issue 23 is an example of how the writer’s subversive behavior and actions broke the silence and shifted the course, effecting change. I hope as you read these beautifully crafted poems, stories, and essays you will be encouraged to speak the truth that you seek.
Enjoy,
Kim
MINERVA RISING PRESS publishes thought-provoking and insightful stories and essays written by a diverse collective of women writers to elevate women’s voices and create a more compassionate world.