Civil Liberties United
Diverse Voices from the San Francisco Bay Area
Edited by Shizue Seigel • Pease Press
$17.95. 300pp (with 60+ b/w images)
ISBN: 978-0-9904173-9-2 www.peasepress.com/CivilLibertiesUnited
200+ works of prose, poetry and visual art by 100 San Francisco Bay Area writers and artists of color.
100 writers and artists of color and white allies celebrate the rich variety that truly makes America great. The recent rise of racist and reactionary forces reminds us that civil liberties are important to everyone — not just those who are targeted at a particular time. Black lives matter, and when the rest of us remain silent, we may be next.
The vitality of the San Francisco Bay Area arises from its cultural diversity. People of color now comprise 60% of the population, yet BIPOC writers and artists remain under represented and underpublished.
Our reality-based perspectives are essential in an increasingly screen-based and polarized society. Many of the book’s contributors are actively working towards sustainable change as working artists, organizers, educators, healers and historians. We draw inspiration from our roots in Native America, Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe.
Now more than ever, we need to reach within ourselves and reach out to others. Democracy cannot be taken for granted. In a time of division, we are moving forward together to create the society we want to see.
Contributors include:
Kim Shuck, Avotcja, Tongo Eisen-Martin, Josiah Luis Alderete, Dee Allen, Tommi Avicola Mecca, Sandra Bass, Dan Brady, Francée Covington, Celeste Chan, James Cagney, Rafael Jesús Gonzáles, Lisa “Tiny” Gray-Garcia, E. K. Keith, Tehmina Khan, Eddie Jen, Kevin Madrigal, Desi Mundo, Ann Muto, Joan Osato, Susan Praver-Pérez, Queennandi X, Thomas Robert Simpson, Sriram Shamasunder, Norma Smith, Kimi Sugioka, Mel Waters, and many others.
Supported by the Zellerbach Family Foundation.