This is a reminder that the arts are powerful ways to communicate, to raise awareness of contemporary issues. Local singer-songwriter Matt Bednarsky recently wrote a song titled "Garden", about losing touch with our roots and surroundings. "Where I’m currently living, there’s a factory that’s nearly always working away. Constantly and consistently humming, clanking, and … [Read more...] about ‘Garden’, by Matt Bednarsky
Voices of the Valley
Reports & opinions from people who live, work, or attend school in the Lehigh Valley. See also Voices of the Valley essays that have appeared in our Sustainable Lehigh Valley booklet.
Decolonizing America for a Sustainable Future
by Maison Allen What if Europeans never settled in North America? Would the land in this country have remained unharmed? Would the environment be in better condition than it is today? Unlike colonists, the Native people did not treat the Earth as a consumable good. While there is no way to answer these questions, taking a look at the way Indigenous people lived suggests that … [Read more...] about Decolonizing America for a Sustainable Future
The Importance of Black Panther
It’s been about two months since the release of Marvel’s Black Panther and somehow, it’s still turning up a significant profit weekend after weekend. In fact, it just surpassed Titanic on the list of highest-grossing films of all time. This film is part of the Marvel Universe saga and ties in with other popular films like Captain America: Civil War, which could explain some of … [Read more...] about The Importance of Black Panther
Black Lives for Gun Control
by Maison Allen Plastered on the cover of the April 2nd issue of Time magazine are the prominent members of the #NeverAgain movement, with the bold enlarged caption, “Enough.” These students have been leading a revolution of sorts. After the tragic school shooting that left 17 members of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School dead, these students are speaking out about the … [Read more...] about Black Lives for Gun Control
Voices of the Valley 2018
As we wait for copies of the 2018 Sustainable Lehigh Valley booklet (now being printed), we invite you to check out the many great ideas in the Voices of the Valley section. Essays from the 2018 edition of Sustainable Lehigh Valley: Is There Hope for the Future?, by Alex Fischer The Paradox of “Nature”, by Andrew Goldman The Cycle of Discarding, by Briana VanBuskirk … [Read more...] about Voices of the Valley 2018
Bruce Wilson: ‘Thoughts on the election & . . .
. . . on leading the public into emergency mode: a new strategy for the climate movement.' It has been hard to voice what is going on inside my head since the election. To just do my job at work and help run a house of four was enough to occupy my time while I sorted through my thoughts and feelings to come up with a course of action. The day after the election this quote was … [Read more...] about Bruce Wilson: ‘Thoughts on the election & . . .
Suzie Hall Rosse: ‘Standing Rock Protector statements’
Suzie Hall Rosse, posted in Lehigh Valley Activism Network on November 27, 2016: Today I saw a video of some representatives of the many tribes taking part in Standing Rock Water Protection. The day before yesterday, Friday, a letter was sent to many of the tribes from the Army Corps of Engineers telling them that they could not continue to stay on that land after December … [Read more...] about Suzie Hall Rosse: ‘Standing Rock Protector statements’
Nancy Walters: ‘Food Recovery and Respect’
On September 24, the LV Food Policy Council had its launch with an inaugural meeting in Allentown. The organizational structure was presented and committees were set up to address food security and thriving food systems, as well as the structure of the Policy Council itself, including public relations, outreach and education. One of the committees which will meet this month … [Read more...] about Nancy Walters: ‘Food Recovery and Respect’
Evin Epstein: Don’t discount Karen Dolan’s contributions
Don't discount Karen Dolan's political, ecological contributions by Evin Epstein The political entanglements surrounding former Bethlehem City Councilwoman Karen Dolan have for some become a juicy, tempting story to follow. Following the recent release of a Northampton County grand jury report and ongoing caustic political commentary at City Council meetings and scrutiny in … [Read more...] about Evin Epstein: Don’t discount Karen Dolan’s contributions
‘Bethlehem City Council ignores people and the law’
I am appalled at the actions of Bethlehem’s administration and city council. At Wednesday’s meeting, the council ignored the passionate pleas of residents, business owners, and community revitalization experts — and they even ignored the advice of their own solicitor. Bethlehem City Council backs 9-story South Side building over strong objections, by Lynn Olanoff of the … [Read more...] about ‘Bethlehem City Council ignores people and the law’