Womxn and Whales First, Poetry in a Climate of Change: A Call for BIPOC VOICES!

Seattle Civic poet Jourdan Keith has opened an opportunity for six individuals to participate in a series of workshops designed to create a BIPOC community and public art through poetry. The application is currently open and closes Dec. 18. 

“Endangered Womxn and endangered whales face a common threat yet we are united by a common beauty,” say Keith. “2020 has shown us that intersectionality of our social and natural ecosystems and the way they harm vulnerable people, their families and communities.” 

The series of free workshops centers the voices of Black Indigenous People of Color, specifically, cis and Transgender Womxn who recognize their vulnerability in the face of climate, health, and social justice concerns. Held virtually on Tuesdays, December 22 through January 12, the workshops have been designed to invite participants to create poetry and understand the intersectionality of our experiences alongside the experience of endangered Orca whales in the Salish Sea. The group will learn to write and perform poetry to share with the public so that more people know the value of interspecies and the intersectional risks and benefits that can save lives.  

Through community building, shared meals and reflection of cultural relationships to whales participants will create poems and visual accompaniment to share with the public to increase consciousness of others about our collective well-being. During this season when people are particularly vulnerable to the harms of isolation Keith will gather participants in a virtual living room to commune and write poetry about womxn and whales.