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Introductionby Bob Banner
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Changes are a'brewing. We've cracked the seed of HopeDance and from it has
blossomed three publications. With these changes our
focus becomes clearer as to how to present material to readers: Keep the
local news together in one publication; allow the magazine format to grow
nationally; and create the necessary space for those special supplements to
happen spontaneously when the demand calls for it.
Real simple. We shall see how the experiment pans out. The bottom line is not only for financial sustainability but to present sustainable themes and issues in a more professional manner in order to broaden and widen the spectrum of readers. Plus, we have expanded our vision. No longer will we simply focus on ?sustainability issues? (for the local edition) but will include social justice, transformational and environmental issues as well. Satish Kumar uses three words that sum up our purpose quite succinctly: Soil, Soul and Society. We need more dialogue between the sustainability and environmentalist folks (Soil), as well as between them and the spiritual transformationalists (Soul) and the social justice advocates (Society). Often we stay insular within our own realm of interest, expertise or passion. HopeDance will be that voice where dialogue between the Soil, Soul and Society folks can happen... to engage in seeing the importance and interconnectedness of all camps... to broaden the vision. At times it becomes a delicate balance between reporting the important truths of the world (no matter how brutally despairing they can be) with stories about hope, those inspiring actions courageous people are doing daily... so we can get inspired ourselves and inspire others. HopeDance readers already know the horror of the world. Readers want to know how to become active, how to create livelihoods, how to support each other, and how to network in order to strengthen our purposes and actions. As Michael Moore (see review of his filmed speech on page 28) repeatedly says in his talks throughout the country, we need less heroes who do thousands of heroic deeds and more people who perform small acts of heroism (as simple as voting). In this premiere issue, we give you inspiring and hopeful stories about sustainable housing (see the M:ome story on page 16); about the ?seed lady? of Watts who is doing remarkable things for kids and gardens (see page 5). We feature Tim Hollingsworth who is creating an alternative to methyl bromide pesticide on strawberries (see page 18). Owen Dell critiques the sustainable alternatives promoted in McDonough and Braungart?s new book and film on page 9. We feature the winners of the SLO Green Business Award (on page 15), report on the injustices toward the Pictsweet mushroom workers (on page 7), and explore more questions regarding the September 11th tragedy (on page 26) as well as reporting live from the West Bank (on page 27). Not only are we making literary changes, we are literally moving to a beautiful space where we can give workshops, retreats, presentations, show films, etc., etc... Enjoy, subscribe, support our advertisers and pass the premiere issue on.... |
