The Watershed Journal Literary Group, based in Brookville, PA (www.thewatershedjournal.org) has joined with Poets Against Racism (PAR) of Nottingham, UK (www.poetsagainstracism.com) to cosponsor a poetry reading titled “Poets Against Racism: In This Together”. The event will be held on May 25, the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, virtually at 7:00 PM ET. Viewers can watch on Facebook, YouTube or via Airmeet. Instructions for joining the event can be found on the Journal’s website as the event approaches.
The event will be cohosted by Manjit Sahara, co-founder of PAR; Dr. Joseph Croskey of Clarion University; and Debbie Allen, an editor for Poets Reading The News. Guest poets will read works reacting to the grim realities of bigotry, hate and racism in our world.
Meet the cohosts for this event.
Dr. Joseph Croskey
Joseph has dedicated his professional career to public service. He enjoys exploring the art of leadership and works to inspire others to share their unique gifts with the world. Dr. Joseph Croskey is a professor at Clarion University. He has been fortunate to travel to most continents, and sail around the world with Semester at Sea stopping at numerous ports. He wholeheartedly supports the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI) mission as a certified teacher, to help develop wise and compassionate leaders. He is married to his sunshine, Kathleen Ellwood. They live at Camp Happy with a wonderful dog, Carson, and their adult children visit often. Joseph is an activist and actionist for human flourishing.
Manjit Sahota
Manjit Sahota is the co- founder of Poets Against Racism and a local Nottingham poet; he has performed in number of venues in Nottingham and around the country since 2016.
In 2019 he had the pleasure to host and share the stage with Linton Kwesi Johnson at the Nottingham Poetry Festival.
Manjit formed PAR in 2016 to rally poets, spoken word artist and rappers to use their poetry to challenge the rise in racism and spread the word of unity, humanity and Love
‘Poetry for me is the memory of our history, struggle and resistance’ Manjit
Debbie Allen
Debbie Allen has worked in the writing and editing field for many years. As well, she has a passion for studying, critically responding to, and writing poetry and currently serves as an associate poetry editor for the online journal Poets Reading the News. Debbie enjoys the challenge of working in meter and rhyme but appreciates all types of poetry. Her poems have appeared in The Watershed Journal and Tobeco Literary Arts Journal, with much of her published poetry tending toward response to injustices.
Featured Poets are Clarion poets, Tabby Shah and Kaitlyn Mang, Clarington poet, Patricia Thrushart, along with PAR poets, Laura Grevel and Emeka (aka True Colors).
During this event, being held on the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, you will hear works that explore the issues of hate, bigotry, and racism. These are tough, sensitive topics and the emotions they evoke can be challenging, even overwhelming. We ask that you open your hearts to the messages the poetry brings.
Participate from a desktop or laptop on Airmeet using the link providing, or watch as we stream the event live of our Facebook page and YouTube channel.
For more information, visit https://thewatershedjournal.org/par/
