The Contributor: June 21, 2023

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Thoughtful Solutions A collaboration between Launch Pad, Second Harvest and a Vanderbilt organization discusses gender, identity and hunger in LGBTQIA+ communities

I N T H E I S SLUa EN ticia

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LOCALES - POLÍTICA - INMIGRACIÓN - TRABAJOS - SALUD - ESPECTÁCULOS - DEPORTES Y MÁS...

2023

L a N ticia

Año 21 - No. 374

“DONDE OCURREN LOS HECHOS QUE IMPORTAN, SIEMPRE PRIMERO... ANTES”

GRATIS

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Newspaper Nashville

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La Noticia + The Contributor

Moving Pictures

Ridley summarizes eight of the war stories of 142 club members who served in one of the armed forces.

Contributor vendors write in this issue about direct aid, Nashville, Life, The Sunflower, and pets past and present.

More than 40 years after its debut, TRON is still gorgeous and more timely than ever. Watch it at the Belcourt!

La Noticia, one of the leading Spanish-language AVISO DE REUNIONES PÚBLICAS, newspapers in the nation, PERÍODO DE COMENTARIOS brings Spanish content to The Contributor.

La reunions públicas tendrán lugar como sigue:

Conoce tus derechos: ¿Que hacer en caso de una redada?

1. Mantenerse callado 2. Sólo dar nombre y apellido 3. No mentir 4. Nunca acepte/lleve documentos falsos 5. No revelar su situación migratoria 6. No llevar documentación de otro país 7. En caso de ser arrestado, mostrarla Tarjeta Miranda (llámenos si necesita una) Basados en la Quinta Enmienda de la Constitución, los derechos de guardar silencio y contar con un abogado fueron denominados Derechos Miranda luego de la decisión de la Suprema Corte de Justicia de Estados Unidos en el caso Miranda vs. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, de 1966.

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San Diego Latino Film Festival: 30 años celebrando la diversidad y el talento hispano

Vendor Writing

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destaca y promueve la obra de mujeres El San Diego cineastas latinas y de todo el mundo, Latino Film Festival brindándoles la plataforma para mostrar (SDLFF) es uno de sus trabajos y contar sus historias únicas. los festivales de cine latino más destaca¿De dónde surge la idea de remarcar el lidos en los Estados derazgo de la mujer en la industria del cine?

Unidos, y que Ethan Van Thillo: “Pues mira este, cada además celebra la año tenemos un Show Case que se llama gran diversidad y Vive mujeres. Exhibimos cortometrajes, variedad de exprelargometrajes dirigidos por mujeres o pueden siones artísticas. Por Marisela Puicón Contributing writer tener historias que se trata de la experiencia Habiéndose creado de mujer. Mira, yo creo que es muy imporen sus inicios como @mariselapuicon tante exhibir y celebrar la diversidad de la un festival estudiantil en la Universidad comunidad latina. Sabemos que, en Estatal de San Diego, acaba de cumplir 30 Hollywood, en la industria, desafortunadaaños de aniversario y ha ido tomando mente todavía hay muchos hombres en frente gran presencia a través de estos años, de las cámaras y detrás de las cámaras es sirviendo como plataforma para que los Foto: Marisela Puicón precisamente como directores ¿no? Tú sabes, cineastas latinos y de otras nacionalidades en los premios Oscar que apenas pasó, no puedan mostrar sus obras y establecer San Diego Latino Film Festival Founder and Executive Director, Ethan Van Thillo (center). hubo ninguna mujer que está nominada por contactos en la industria. empezamos a exhibir películas en los cines El festival atrae a un público diverso, com- mejor dirección, no como mujer. Pues yo creo El festival es una gran fiesta para los sen- comerciales aquí como AMC o diferentes puesto tanto por hispanohablantes como que es muy importante que el festival siemtidos, la mezcla de diferentes actividades cines comerciales y cuando llegamos a esos por angloparlantes, así como por personas pre trate de mostrar otra imagen desde lo que artísticas despierta emociones en los asis- centros de comercios, quisimos celebrar no interesadas en la cultura y la cine- estamos viendo en Hollywood o en programatografía latinoamericana y española.

En solamente el cine, la cultura latina, la mas de Netflix o algo así. Es importante que tentes, generando una experiencia que va más allá del solo ver películas llenando a diversidad latina sino demostrar a todo el la edición de este año se proyectaron 160 el festival siempre tenga espacios para diferlos visitantes de alegría y color; pro- mundo a las personas que están yendo de films y participaron más de 20 países, entre entes comunidades dentro de la comunidad moviendo el diálogo intercultural y la compras y a los asistentes del festival, que es ellos Nicaragua, México, Chile, Brasil, latina. En este (SDLFF) celebramos a la difusión de historias y visiones de mucho más que cine, se siente la cultura, si Perú, Argentina, España, Colombia, El mujer, celebramos el LGBTQ, la comunidad Salvador, Ecuador, Bolivia, Cuba, siente esa celebración, para mí es maravigay, celebramos diferentes países, aunque Latinoamérica, España y Portugal en el lloso cuando llegan y escuchan la música, o Uruguay, República Dominicana, Costa estamos aquí cerquita de México. Es impormercado estadounidense. están viendo este baile o viendo a artistas Rica, Bélgica, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, tante que el festival celebre diferentes países Conversamos con el fundador y director vendiendo su arte. Eso es lo bueno del festi- Panamá, Portugal y Estados Unidos. como Argentina, Chile, Brasil, ejecutivo del Festival Ethan Van Thillo val, es el que tratamos de hacer y celebrar Mujeres Filmmakers…

Centroamérica. Eso es muy importante, que quien nos habló sobre esta excelente opor- toda la cultura latina, además de exhibir La presencia de mujeres cineastas en el sigua empujando diferentes voces dentro de tunidad donde la comunidad latina tiene películas increíbles cada año”.

SDLFF se ha vuelto cada vez más rele- la comunidad latina”. una mayor presencia y visibilidad en la CONTINUARÁ...

A lo largo de estas 3 décadas el San vante en los últimos años. El festival cultura pop y en la industria del cine.

Diego Latino Film Festival se ha con¿Podríamos decir entonces, que la comu- vertido en un importante escaparate nidad latina se ve representada a través de para cineastas latinos emergentes y este importante festival? establecidos, ofreciendo gran variedad de películas en diferentes géneros, desde Ethan Van Thillo: “Pues ojalá que sí. dramas hasta comedias, documentales Mira, como mencionaste, empezamos como y cortometrajes. Hay paneles de disun festival de cine estudiantil, empezamos en las universidades o los colegios, aquí en cusión y eventos especiales relacionados WeGo Public Transit llevará a cabo reuniones públicas y tendrá un San Diego, en Baja California y poco a con el cine latino, lo que lo convierte en período abierto de comentarios del 26 de junio al 17 de julio con poco crecimos como un festival y una experiencia cultural única. relación a cambios propuestos en el servicio de otoño.

History Corner

WHAT WE DO

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Martes 27 de junio de 12-1 p.m., Elizabeth Duff Transit Center en WeGo Central, 400 Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Blvd., Nashville Miércoles 28 de junio de 12-1 p.m., Reunión virtual (webex); Código de Acceso: 2487 529 0112; Contraseña: xYkR5JHpA74; Teléfono 720-650-7664.

Jueves 29 de junio de 5:30-6:30 p.m., Reunión virtual (webex); Código de Acceso: 2493 625 1582; Contraseña: T7Hwc7RkwN8; Teléfono 720-650-7664.

Para información detallada sobre los cambios propuestos y como registrarse para las reuniones, visite, WeGoTransit.com comenzando el 16 de junio o llame a Atención al Cliente al 615-862-5950.

Por favor tenga en cuenta que no se requiere la asistencia a las reuniones para someter comentarios. Puede enviar comentarios por correo a WeGo Public Transit Community Engagement, Atención: Public Meeting Comments, 430 Myatt Drive, Nashville, TN 37115; llamar a Comentarios Públicos al 615-862-5686; o enviar un correo electrónico a WeGoTransit@nashville.gov hasta el 17 de julio de 2023.

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Tom Wills, Chair Cathy Jennings, Christine Doeg, Demetria Kalodimos, Kerry Graham, Amber DuVentre, Jerome Moore, Drew Morris, Andy Shapiro

Contributors This Issue Linda Bailey • Amanda Haggard • Ridley Wills II • Justin Wagner • Andy Shapiro • Judith Tackett • Jen A. • William B. • Rebecca B. • Tasha French Lemley • Wendell J. • Julia Walrond • Elayna Vargas • Baya Kershaw • Sofia Padilla • Zoe Stevenson • Hadassa Logdson • Maria Calderon • Lisa A. • James "Shorty" R. • John H. • Mr. Mysterio • Chris Scott Fieselman • Joe Nolan • Yuri Cunza • Marisela Puicon Contributor Volunteers Christine Doeg , Volunteer Coordinator Joe First • Andy Shapiro • Michael Reilly • Ann Bourland • Laura Birdsall • Marissa Young • Matthew Murrow • Gisselly Mazariegos • Tyler Samuel • IJ Quinn • Linda Eisele • Jamie Dore • Russ Heldman Cathy Jennings Executive Director Tom Wills Director of Vendor Operations Carli Tharp SNAP Specialist Ree Cheers SOAR Manager Andrew Terry IV SOAR Referral Specialist Rachel Ternes Housing Navigator Andreos Chunaco Housing Navigator Mary Margaret Weatherford Housing Navigator Jesse Call Operations Consultant Raven Nye Director of Housing Initiatives Justin Wagner Resource Coordinator & Reporter Barbara Womack Advertising Manager Amanda Haggard & Linda Bailey Co-Editors Chelsea Jackson Vendor Office Manager Andrew Krinks Editor Emeritus Will Connelly, Tasha F. Lemley, Steven Samra, and Tom Wills Contributor Co-Founders Editorials and features in The Contributor are the perspectives of the authors. Submissions of news, opinion, fiction, art and poetry are welcomed.

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PAGE 2 | June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

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IN MEMORIAM

MIchael Duke with his daughter Adalyn Gail Duke and his brother Matthew Duke. PHOTO COURTESTY OF MIKE DUKE

Michael Duke Jr. remembered as earnest and full of energy

BY JUSTIN WAGNER

Contributor vendor Michael Aaron Duke Jr., age 24, of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, after a brief illness. He had just moved into housing with his twin brother, Matthew.

He was born in Nashville, Tenn., on Sept. 15, 1998, to Michael Aaron Duke Sr., also a Contributor vendor, and Amanda Brewer. He lived most of his life in Cheatham County.

Michael had also worked in the construction industry. Michael Aaron is preceded in death by his grandmother, Dee Brewer. He is survived by his parents, Mike Duke and Amanda Brewer; grandfather, Boo Boo Brewer; daughter, Adalyn Gail Duke; brothers, Matthew Duke and Dillion Duke; sister-in-law, Evie Pernell; nephew, Dylan Duke, Jr.; and other extended family members and friends.

Contributor staff and volunteers remember Michael as having unending

energy and a sweet spirit. Their memories of Michael are below: When I first met with Michael for intake into our housing program, he had a remarkable energy to him. He had been homeless for a good while at this point, so when I assured him that we’d do the best we can, that there’s housing out there if we fight for it, that he’d have a team of people behind him — I’m sure these were all things he had heard before. It’s hard not to assume a cynical posture when there’s more people who need help than will ever get it.

But that cynicism wasn’t visible in Michael. He was earnest. He talked to you like he had known you for years.

He’d joke, he’d open up, and when you had to break bad news, he’d take it in stride. I don’t think it’s fair to expect that of anyone in crisis, but to see that sort of perseverance always inspires awe.

He and his brother Matthew, from whom

he seemed inseparable, were inspiring in that way.

Michael died only a few weeks after he finally had a roof overhead. It was so sudden that the news seemed unbelievable. It seemed that of anyone I had known, Michael had so much left to experience.

After we moved them in, I wrote a story about him and his brother for The Contributor.

Michael shared a lot with me that day, but crucially, he told me that “he made it.” Passing at such a young age is beyond tragedy, but I take some solace knowing that one of Michael’s final memories were of a victory years in the making. A victory he and his brother richly deserved.

Though he endured more than many ever have to, he did so without losing who he was. With so much loss in this community lately, I pray we can all manage such resilience. As for Michael — I

June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 3

pray he can finally rest. — Justin Wagner, Contributor Resource Coordinator and Reporter Whenever I would see Michael and Matthew at the vendor office, I would always start a “have you ever” conversation with them both. Have you ever tried to fake out one of your teachers at school?

Have you ever taken the blame for your brother’s actions or taken credit for his good deeds? Have you ever tried to fake out your brother’s girlfriend? Their answers would be interesting and humorous, but always supportive of each other. I think their whole life, however difficult it must have been, was somehow better because they had each other. I’ve never seen Michael without Matthew. Their bond was physically obvious as identicals, but emotionally they seemed to also be one person. Rest in Peace Michael and may God grant Brother Matthew the strength to carry on without you. — Andy Shapiro, Contributor Volunteer

A FEW QUESTIONS WITH

A Few Questions with Councilmember Bob Nash, District 27

W

BY JUDITH TACKETT

hen I first met Councilmember Bob Nash, he impressed me by handing me an article in The New York Times about the effectiveness of Housing First. That’s when I realized he cares about actual solutions to complex issues such as homelessness.

The Contributor talked with Nash as part of a series called A Few Questions With where we interview councilmembers about their district’s most pressing issues.

METRO COUNCIL COMMITTEES: • Transportation and Infrastructure, vice chair • Government Operations and Regulations • Public Health and Safety

How would you describe District 27?

We’re primarily a working class neighborhood. We’ve become a very diverse district.

[Along] part of that Nolensville corridor [we have] a lot of Latinos, we have a lot of population of Middle Easterners, Kurdish folks, Egyptians, so a lot of [diversity] over here.

What are the main concerns you hear from your constituents?

The main concern I hear is speeding cars.

People want traffic calming. Second on that list of things that I am aware of is the shots fired.

Ever since COVID, we have seen an increase in the folks that go out and fire off a couple of rounds up in the air and tear off in their automobile. It’s scary for folks in the neighborhood, and we work with the [Metro Nashville] Police Department to try and address it as best as we can. I try to get my neighbors to call every time it happens, so that we maybe can determine if there is a pattern of where and when, and it also provides the police department the ability to [utilize some of their tools and resources].

You are the vice chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Where do you see opportunities for a next Mayor to improve transit and infrastructure?

A lot of work continues to be done on our infrastructure. We have so many miles of roadway, so many miles of sewer, so many miles of water that folks don’t always appreciate because they don’t see the work going on right at their front door. The water folks are doing a great job extending their services, also repairing old infrastructure, and this all takes time. But there is a plan in place, they’re doing it.

Likewise, the Nashville Department of Transportation, they’ve got a plan to repave our roads. And they’re pretty quick about filling potholes. One of the things I find problematic is that [complaints about potholes are often on state roads]. At a recent public hearing a man got up and said we need to fix the potholes on Murfreesboro Road and Donelson Pike and Lebanon Road. These are all state highways.

Hopefully the state will step up in a little bit too.

As far as transit goes, there is a lot of interest in trying to find some dedicated funding to assist transit. I recently saw a sketch of Seattle where somebody had done some map work.

They were able to color some neighborhoods, different colors based on the walkability. Could you walk to a grocery store in 15 minutes?

Could you walk to transit in 15 minutes? And

even in a city with a lot of good transit [like Seattle], on the outskirts, it was not colored.

District 27 is on the edge of the county, and folks out here who want to take the bus and transit, really have to find a way to live close to Nolensville Road and [Old Hickory Boulevard] to some degree. We used to have a bus on Edmondson Pike that was cut back because we did not have the ridership. Going forward, my hope is that as traffic becomes a little more troubling, we can get folks to ride the bus and reestablish some of those routes.

Transit in Nashville is so difficult because we don’t have a grid system. The city was constructed with spokes and so many of the people who do use the bus have to go all the way downtown and then have to go back out again to where they’re going.

You are running unopposed for a second term. What is on top of your priorities for the next four years?

My priority is really constituent services.

For that person who missed [their trash pickup], I try to coordinate. If somebody needs help with a sewer issue, I try to help.

Of course, I spent 33 years with the Metro Police Department, so public safety is always a primary interest. Crime is an issue in our city.

We ought to give our Police Department all the support we can. I also acknowledged when I ran, I know that public safety is more than just cops and robbers. It’s also about having

good jobs, good education, and a good way to get to those jobs and to schools. And so, it’s a matter of being supportive of our schools, being supportive of our police department, being supportive of our transit and trying to find ways to fund more affordable housing.

Our city's police department has to address safety, the opioid crisis, mental health issues, homelessness and other social issues.

With your prior experience in law enforcement, what is Metro doing well and where would you like to see more improvements in regard to these issues?

I think Chief [John] Drake and his team are doing a great job trying to wrestle with every single one of these issues you just mentioned solely within the constraints of their staffing.

But none of these issues get solved by the police department alone. They’ve been working very hard to collaborate. [With regard to] the opioid crisis, obviously the health department has a lot to say about that, but the police department is helping, for example with Naloxone distribution. In homelessness, we’re doing a lot of good work with the Homeless Impact Division. I think the strategy they’ve been using to close down some of the big encampments, we go in, we find housing for people whether it be transitional and/or permanent, trying to get them connected with addiction services if they need them or mental health services, so we’re not just playing whack-a-mole, we’re really trying to

PAGE 4 | June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

find them housing and get them started down the road away from being homeless. We are now partnering with the Mental Health Coop to send police and a mental health worker to [respond] to calls that are determined to be largely in need of emotional help, and that seems to be working well.

I certainly will always be looking for opportunities to see if there is something else they can be doing. But I think they’re doing a great job of reaching out and implementing these programs.

The [Nashville] Fire Department is also implementing a new program called the REACH (Responders Engaged And Committed to Help) similar to the police department. (REACH partners a paramedic with a master’s-level clinician from the Mental Health Coop on non-violent mental health crisis calls). That’s a pilot program, and I believe they’re going to get another person or two in this [upcoming] budget.

Anything else you would like to add?

Being a councilperson, you are quickly humbled. We’re not [the] chief of police, we’re not the head of the fire department, we’re not the head of stormwater, we’re not the head of schools. Our job really is to make sure we’ve hired good people to fill those positions and support them, and sometimes we get that backwards. You learn very quickly you cannot help everybody all of the time despite the things you try to do, and it can’t always happen overnight.

June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 5

NASHVILLE HISTORY CORNER

The Greatest Generation

BY RIDLEY WILLS II

Several weeks ago, Bob Calton, a friend and chairman of the History Committee at the Belle Meade Country Club, asked me to identify the estimated 100 club members who served in the Army or Navy during World War II. I relished researching this and identified 142 club members who served in one of the armed forces during the war. Listed below are summaries of the war stories of eight of them. After you read them, I think you will agree that they were part of the “The Greatest Generation.”

George Paul Clements (1916-1988) was an Army Air Force lieutenant who served, during World War II, in an intelligence unit. His first major action was in the landing on Leyte in October 1944.

On Leyte, he and his unit worked behind the Japanese lines. Along with gathering intelligence, they were instrumental in the rescue of the crew of a downed U.S. bomber. Clements continued to serve in the Philippines until after the Battle of Manila when he was able to rescue his mother and sister who had been stranded there throughout the Japanese occupation. Clements later came down with malaria and spent two months recovering in Thayer Military Hospital in Nashville.

Miss Cornelia Fort (1919-1943) was the second woman accepted into the Women’s Auxiliary Ferry Service in World War II. She was killed when her BT-13 basic training plane crashed 10 miles south of Markel, Texas on March 21, 1943. Cornelia was in route from Long Beach, California to Love Field in Dallas. The crash occurred because Flight Officer Frank Stamme Jr. was flying too close to Cornelia’s plane. His plane hit her’s, tearing off the tip of her plane’s wing and 10’ of her plane’s leading edge. He was able to control his plane, but her’s went into a spin and crashed. She was the first woman pilot to die on active duty in US history. Cornelia was 24 at the time of her death.

William Langley III “Red” Granbery (1920-2001) had his college education at Princeton interrupted by World War II. Enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Force, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in November 1943. The following May, on his fourth mission to drop resistance fighters and supplies in German-held territory, he was the bombardier of a stripped-down B-24 in the Eighth Air Force flying over occupied France. His plane was hit and burning, forcing him to bail out. He landed near Dreux in northwestern France where the underground lodged and fed him for eight days, providing him with a peasant’s smock for disguise. He was moved five times during this period, finally arriving at a villa near Paris where he

Cornelia Clark Fort with a Fairchild PT-19A Cornell trainer.

met three other crew members who had similar experiences. There, he fell into German hands. The Gestapo put him in a French prison for thirty-six days of solitary confinement and questioning.

There, he was fed bread, soup and coffee.

On Aug. 16, Granbery and other American and British officers and enlisted men were put in crowded boxcars with no provision for sanitation, and sent by rail to the German massacre center at Buchenwald near Weimar. Although not mistreated by the S. S. troops there, he witnessed many French and Russian civilians being herded into gas chambers.

Before the horrors of Buchenwald were at their height, he was moved by boxcar to Stalag Luft III at Sagan. Several months later, he and others were marched through the snow in below zero temperatures to Moosburg, to which Allied troops were driving at the time. Two weeks later, on April 29, 1945, he was freed and landed in the United States on June 4th.. On October 10, 1953, Granbery married Anne Nichols Caldwell, daughter of Mr. and

Mrs. Wentworth Caldwell, of Nashville.

Kelly Leslie Dorris Jr. (1923-2018) attended Vanderbilt as a freshman, and left to accept an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated in 1945. He served as an ensign in 1945 on the US Atlanta off the coast of Japan.

Later in 1950, Leslie was selected by Admiral Hiram Rickover to be one of the first two officers in the new nuclear submarine program. Later, he was commander of the USS Trigger that accompanied the USS Nautilus to the North Pole. When he retired from the Navy in 1968, Commander Kelly was given the Legion of Merit.

Hugh J. Morgan, Jr. MD ( 1893-1961) was a brigadier general, Dr. Morgan commanded the 300th General Hospital, the Vanderbilt Medical Unit, during World War II. He also was the Chief Medical Consultant to the Attorney General of the U.S. Army during the war. This position entailed the clinical oversight and direction of field military medical personnel in all four theaters

PAGE 6 | June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

of the war.

John H. Noel (1937-2002) was a B-17 bomber pilot in the European theater during World War II. On July 28, 1943, Noel’s plane was shot down over Oschersleben, Germany, having literally been cut in two immediately behind Noel’s seat. Nevertheless, he was able to eject and parachuted into the North Sea, the only member of his ten-man crew to survive. Picked up by the Germans, he was incarcerated for twenty-two months in a Prisoner of War camp in Moosburg, Germany. A telegram delivered to his wife, Andromedia “Andy” Noel, said that he was missing in action. Six weeks later, she received another telegram stating that John was a prisoner of war.

Joe Thompson Jr. (1919-2012) enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in August 1941 where he became an aerial reconnaissance pilot. Earning his wings in Texas, he then sailed to England, arriving there in October 1942. Joe first flew with the British Royal Air Force’s 66th squadron before joining the 109th tactical reconnaissance squadron of the 9th Air Force, advancing to the rank of Major. He flew a P51 Mustang on more than 90 reconnaissance missions, mostly behind enemy lines, photographing Omaha Beach just two days before the D-Day Invasion, as well as German troop movements during the Battle of the Bulge. For his service, he received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Air Medal with fifteen Oak Leaf clusters and six Bronze Stars, the Distinguished Service Badge, and the French Croix de Guerre. A few weeks before his death, President Sarcozy of France honored Joe with the country’s highest decoration, the Legion of Honor.

Joe M. “Buddy” Whitson was a first lieutenant in Company E, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment in the U.S. Army. His regiment was with General Douglas McArthur when he fulfilled his promise to the Filipino people, made when he left Corregidor in 1942, that he would return. He did so on October 20, 1944 and by February 1945 his army had the Japanese cornered in caves at Corregidor. On “Buddy” Whitson’ 23rd birthday, Feb. 18, 1945, he and his regiment were in the thick of the Battle of Corregidor. They were successful. In one cave, where Whitson and his men were fighting, there was an explosion, shrapnel from which blinded Lt. Whitson for two weeks. He also was shot through the palm of his hand. For his bravery and leadership at Corridor, General McArthuur gave him the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest honor that can be given an American soldier.

He also received three Silver Stars and two Purple Hearts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT

Learn More About Metro’s Support Services Grants

BY JUDITH TACKET T Earlier this month, Metro awarded a total of $6.8 million in federal funds to five lead nonprofit organizations to provide a variety of different support services for individuals experiencing homelessness. In April, Metro also entered into a contract with Neighborhood Health for close to $2 million for health services.

All six grants add up to just under $9 million that Metro set aside in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding last October to provide support services dollars as part of a $50 million ARP allocation.

Here is a quick reminder of the overall allocation plan for the original $50 million in federal ARP funds: Of those $50 million: • $25 million were allocated to provide low-cost loans to developers to create deeply affordable housing units for households with an income of 0-30% of the Area Median Income (AMI); • $9 million to build capacity in Housing First case management services, including establishing Assertive Community Treatment teams; • $9 million for temporary interim gap housing for households waiting for housing units and/or permanent housing subsidies; and • $7 million to fund Metro’s Low Barrier Housing Collective landlord engagement and incentive program ($3 million*) as well as competitive grants for support services ($4 million).

Now, let’s take a closer look at the $9 million support services contracts. The contracts do not outline how the different grant awards will create a collaborative service model amongst the providers. But it will likely be the responsibility of the new Office of Homeless Services, which essentially will move the Metro Homeless Impact Division staff directly under the Mayor’s Office on July 1 per Metro, to ensure that the implementation is seamless and coordinated.

The following array of services will be provided by five local lead agencies (for a different presentation, review our summary in the chart): • Park Center will expand its SOAR program. SOAR stands for SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access and Recovery and links people experiencing homelessness and with social security or disability benefits.

• Colby’s Army as well as Step Up on Second Street will hire certified peer specialists for street outreach (Colby’s Army) and case management services (Step Up).

• “Step Up will use an Intensive Case Management (ICM)-like model to provide an array of services and support to members in housing stability. The interventions will include identifying service needs; referring and linking to services and resources identified through the service planning process; coordinating services to maximize service integration and minimize service gaps; ensuring continued adequacy of individualized

OVERVIEW OF SUPPORT SERVICE CONTRACTS Who

What For

How much from ARP funds

Park Center

SOAR (SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access and Recovery), serving 85 people per year to link them to benefits

$900,000

Colby's Army

Peer Support Services with a trained Peer Passport Specialist

$143,629

Step Up on Second Street, Inc.

Intensive Case Management-like model to provide an array of housing support services

$2,499,051

Mending Hearts

Housing First recovery support services for people with mental health and substance use issues

$3,000,000

Room In The Inn

Meals for people in interim housing

$275,000

Neighborhood Health

Health services in encampment-based settings and Rapid Re-Housing locations

$1,961,515

Total

$8,779,195

recovery plans to meet ongoing and changing needs and developing natural supports to promote community integration. Services will consist of four major components that impact one’s overall wellness, including behavioral, medical, social, educational, vocational, housing, financial and other individualized needs: 1) Engagement & Needs identification, 2) Care Coordination, 3) Referral & Linkage and 4) Monitoring & Follow-up.” I copied and pasted this paragraph from RS2023-2213 that lists all five contracts.

This particular contract also lists performance indicators to evaluate program effectiveness.

• Mending Hearts Inc., “will use the funds to provide identify, engage, and support adults within a housing first model in accessing and engaging with the recovery and support services needed to successfully maintain housing and transition to health and wellness; and solidify and augment the system of care for adults experiencing chronic homelessness to ensure that the mental health, substance use, and recovery support service systems are specifically supportive and aligned with the housing first model, to ensure that individuals are appropriately served with the resources they need during these challenging transitions through the training, implementation and support of evidence-based practices aligned with this approach.”

• Room In The Inn will provide up to 75 nutritious meals per day for people in interim housing.

These five contracts add up to $6,817,680.

Most of the remaining amount, $1,961,515 to be exact, was approved for a contract between Metro Social Services and Neighborhood Health to provide medical and pharmaceutical services “in encampment-based settings and Rapid Re-Housing locations.” This contract (unlike the five others) is well-developed, clear, and specific in its scope of work.

Overall, Metro has so far awarded the $9 million in support services dollars, and $9 million in “temporary interim gap housing,” which largely went to The Salvation Army and Community Care Fellowship. Only the five contracts awarded in June went through an RFP process. The remaining contracts were sole sources. Metro has made clear that they were not legally required to use an RFP process to allocate the $6.8 million in support services, but chose to do so.

On that note, that RFP process was delayed (based on a timeline that the Mayor’s Office presented to Metro Council in September), convoluted and non-transparent. At least two providers told me Metro representatives informed them in January they would not qualify to apply on their own. Rather, they would need to be subcontracting and partnering with an organization that is a “Licensed TennCare nonprofit healthcare” provider as outlined in the RFP, which in itself did not use clear language. However, it turns out that some of the current contractors that received awards do not meet that requirement. Thus, these two nonprofits potentially may have missed the opportunity for funding based on bad information provided by Metro leaders.

Let me be clear, I support all these nonprofits and am happy they received much-needed funding to do their work. I actively supported the approval of the $50 million and helped Metro draft a small portion of the original proposal as presented to the Metro Council. However, as I keep repeating in my writings and public statements, Nashville needs to implement a Housing First plan, not an encampment closure plan as driven by the current administration.

And I am not talking about a housing-only plan because a true Housing First approach includes wraparound support services that are now finally in place through these grants.

With elections in August, the next Mayor will have a chance to bring transparency to how millions of dollars are spent to house some

June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 7

of Nashville’s most vulnerable neighbors and evaluate what works and what doesn’t. I don’t believe a new Mayor will be able to completely move away from an encampment-focused approach. The reason is that encampment closures have become a highly publicized and politicized approach to homelessness in Nashville. If a new Mayor wants to show results on reducing homelessness, including street homelessness, he or she still has a chance to work with the new Office of Homeless Services and the community to implement a solid, solutions-focused housing plan.

My hope is that with these new contracts in place, our city will finally move toward a housing-focused approach that prioritizes people’s needs over political wish lists over whose district will be rid of another encampment (with little attention to whether people are actually moving into permanent housing as promised by the current city leaders). Encampment closures only work if we actually have a path to move people into permanent housing coupled with the needed supports within a timely manner. In Nashville, the goal should be 90 days. The current administration lengthened that goal to 120 days, clearly realizing that we just do not have the capacity in place yet to house people quickly enough.

It was actually the Metro Council that started to put accountability measures in place (as a matter of fact it was some of the very politicians who have been bamboozled into believing that this administration’s current encampment approach is following best practices).

When adopting Resolution 2022-1697, which was approving the use of $9 million for support services, Metro Council added an amendment that requires that Metro Social Services provide monthly reports outlining: • The number of people served by this program; • The demographics of the individuals served; • The average length of time the individuals have been in housing; • Income and non-cash benefits; • Types of services provided; • Number and percent of individuals who returned to homelessness; • The number assessed, applied, and awarded as able to obtain SSI or disability; and • The percentage remaining housed.

Furthermore, the resolution includes a target estimate of about 500 households that should be served with these funds by December 2025.

This is a good start. I have hope that a new administration will see through the current chaotic approach, move away from political band aids, have honest conversations within Metro and especially with neighborhoods, and move forward with implementing proven solutions.

Editor’s note: In a previous column about Rapid Rehousing, this column stated that Metro set aside $4 million for landlord engagement. The correct number is $3 million.

We regret this error.

YOUTH VOICES

The Contributor and Girls Write Nashville, a nonprofit songwriting mentorship program, have partnered to help amplify youth voices in the city. The following are lyrics written by students at Dupont Tyler Middle School and published as part of the Youth Voices program.

Bye Bye Space

BY JULIA WALROND, ELAYNA VARGAS, BAYA KERSHAW, SOFIA PADILLA Gravity no more The world’s ending Mars, planet of war is defending The last days we will live Venus, planet of love Jupiter the strong It will all be gone Pluto of the underworld Mercury the messenger

That’s How I Can Feel

BY ZOE STEVENSON I feel unreal still Everything I do seems strange I shouldn’t feel this way That’s just how I feel That’s how I can feel

Our Earth is dwindled There’s not much time Neptune of the sea Seconds left of time Soon we won’t be able to see It’s the end of the line Venus, planet of love Jupiter the strong It will all be gone We fly into the sun Oh there’s no where to run Guess what we’re dying Our time is DONE.

Friends

BY HADASSA LOGSDON It was the middle of the spring and I was with you We were in a roller rink and I could never frown

I Am Free

BY MARIA CALDERON

I was loving skating around holding hands with you There were lights flashing around and I kept falling down

When I was little I thought no one cared about me

Roller rink with you

My thoughts were filled with negativity

Please don’t leave me alone

Now I know the haters were wrong

I want to stay here with you

I can finally show that I am strong

I just want to be here with you

It doesn’t matter what they say

Please savor the moments with your friends

I won’t let anyone control me

Make sure they last

Everything’s going to be okay

‘Cause if they don’t and they are gone

I can finally show that I am free

You will regret it for the rest of your life

I wish I had never felt that way

Just ‘cause you think they’ll stay forever in your heart

I just wanted to be myself

Doesn’t mean you have to be hurt

So I fought for me day by day I wish I had never felt that way I just wanted to be myself So I fought for me day by day And went and found some help It doesn’t matter what they say I won’t let anyone control me Everything’s going to be okay I can finally show that I am free

PAGE 8 | June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

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June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 9

FEATURE

Housing Surges

When homeless encampments close, residents are forced to scatter. If not housing, where can they go?

BY JUSTIN WAGNER When the Wentworth-Caldwell Park homeless encampment in South Nashville closed in March, it was fenced off and “No Trespassing” signs were mounted. The same happened at the former site of the Brookmeade encampment, which was closed in January.

Metro Parks and the Metro Nashville Police Department collaborated to clean the spaces and ensure no one would return while they were renovated.

Many residents of both camps were quickly shuffled into low-barrier housing options, such as hotel rooms and Mobile Housing Navigation Centers. For one reason or another, though, other residents weren’t.

So while local movements like “Reclaim Brookmeade Park” were vindicated in their desire for the camps to close, the remaining unhoused have been pushed into hiding. With Tennessee legislation having criminalized public camping, there are few places to turn for anyone without a home.

“They have to do what I call ‘going fluid...’ they scatter,” said John Bull, a long-time outreach volunteer at Open Table Nashville.

Bull said the displacements introduce yet another daily challenge for Nashvillians struggling to survive — the need to stay out of sight and avoid putting up a visible tent. And at their worst, these dispersions are fatal, he said, as homeless citizens grappling with health issues or substance abuse struggle to maintain access to necessary resources.

“I’ve been [volunteering in South Nashville] for six years, okay, I can’t recall [the last time that I’ve known] at least six people dead in one month’s time. That makes a statement right there.”

As a companion to these closures, the city’s Metro Homeless Impact Division has organized what it calls “housing surges” — outreach events wherein encampment residents are presented with housing opportunities, have their needs assessed, and are referred to mental health or shuttle services as needed.

“They started having these resource fairs and days where MHID would come out to the encampment and enter everyone into Coordinated Entry,” explained India Pungarcher, an advocate and street outreach worker at Open Table Nashville.

“And then there were also days where they’d come out and give a piece of paper to camp residents and say, you know, ‘this encampment is going to experience a housing surge, everyone’s gonna be offered housing options, and the camp will be closed by Parks.’ There wasn’t always an exact or precise date for the closure.”

Harriet Wallace, MHID’s Communications Director, said the approach was a “success,” saying that 140 individuals

Wentworth Caldwell park. IMAGES BY INDIA PUNGARCHER, OPEN TABLE NASHVILLE were housed with just the first surge.

“So far, no one has refused service and housing,” Wallace said. “We offer everyone housing options based on their needs and available resources and they select where they want to live. Case management is offered every step of the process and continues beyond placement. We want them to not only get housing but keep their housing; that means helping them improve life stability and quality of life.”

Wallace highlighted that even if the new living situation offered is not guaranteed to be a permanent fixture, it is better than being forced to sleep outside.

“Any time you can help someone transition from living outdoors to safe environments with a roof and running water, that's a win.”

While this approach has worked for many and gotten them into low-barrier hotel units or transitional beds at MHNCs, local advocates and homeless citizens say there are gaps in the city’s strategy.

BJ Dolan and her husband Aaron Nettles are two members of South Nashville’s homeless community who, despite being residents of the Wentworth-Caldwell camp during recent housing surges, have been left without workable options to get a roof overhead.

“I can’t get a job because I don’t have any permanent supportive housing. I’m just so frustrated,” said Dolan. “They passed me by.”

Imprisoned during a surge, Dolan was unable to reclaim her belongings when the

camps were being cleared out and referrals were being made. When she returned and everything was gone — including transitional hotel beds to claim — she and Nettles were back to square one.

Dolan also noted that even when people at local camps are given options that work for them, it’s always been a problem that they might fall out of housing due to a lack of permanent support, even if offered case management. If they aren’t able to work with the options they’re given due to a mental health issue, a substance dependency, or other obstacles navigating their own housing, opportunities pass them by and they get left behind.

“People get into housing on [Section 8], and they’re back out here because they can’t fill out paperwork … and I’ve been out here for four years. I just want some help with housing.”

Pungarcher said that a process as fastpaced as the recent housing surges cannot account for every camp resident — particularly not in the long-term, trauma-informed manner that is often necessary to ensure they don’t fall out of housing.

“Even coming out a handful of times, you don’t get to know who’s all there, where they are, or keep up with them,” said Pungarcher.

“We’ve been out there — not just us, other outreach groups too — we’ve been out there for years, there are folks who are long-term residents there, and they were in the hospital or they were in jail.

We believe those folks still deserve and should receive a housing referral. When

PAGE 10 | June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

you’re just coming in for the first time to enact this housing surge or this camp closure, there’s just this disconnect. It’s not able to capture every single person.”

And even if the city and non-profits could collaboratively find every single resident, the city still suffers a crucial gap in available, affordable housing.

“All these outreach workers are making this list of who’s all in the area … then it’s like, ‘who from this list can we find first and the fastest?’ And that’s who got into the hotel units. Then all that was left was Mobile Housing Navigation Center beds. With those, there’s only so many couple’s beds… I don’t know if any of them take pets.”

With advocacy options limited for a community being pushed to the fringes, Pungarcher said she hoped Nashville residents would champion the rights of the homeless with the same zeal that some call for encampment closures.

“I wish there was that much effort into yelling at folks at the state level, or Metro Council Members to make these incredibly steep investments into affordable housing, you know? We can invest hundreds of millions, billions of dollars in a new stadium. I’d love to get that buy-in and fervor into investing in our housing stock.

Bull echoed Pungarcher’s sentiment, saying it was in everyone’s common interest to be a good neighbor and advocate for the unhoused.

“I got a catchphrase: We’re all in this together.”

FEATURE

Lemley recording Lee reading one of his latest pieces while in Little Rock. PHOTO BY TASHA FRENCH LEMLEY.

On Lee

B Y TA SH A F RE NCH L E ML E Y, C ON T RIBU T OR C O -F OUNDE R A couple decades ago I met my first homeless man. It’s not Lee. Bear with me.

So, I was in a new city at a new job. And after a couple dozen applications, I’d just accepted the only offer I got. I had a photojournalism degree and wanted to be a graphic designer — not troubleshooting in a copy store. Most of my days were filled with church secretaries trying to print bulletins they’d built in Microsoft Word. I was their best shot.

Over the weeks I was there, the commute downtown gave me a lot of time to ruminate.

Then, I’d park and walk right around the corner to the door. A man lived on a bench in that short distance. I never addressed him and he never talked to me. One day on my drive in, I was feeling extra desperate. Extra sorry for myself. I thought of that guy. And it hit me. If I saw him as a “normal” person, we would have introduced ourselves to each other long ago. Anyone else in a coffee shop or public transit — see them every day and we have enough in common to engage. That day, I thought he must know something about how I was feeling inside. I grabbed the steering wheel.

I’d do something radical. I’d say “hi”.

This interaction started years of connection with hundreds of people on the street. Fascination with the very private lives these folks live in the public eye. There’s so much beauty and honesty — and, of course, pain. Their broken

parts may have had older and sharper edges, but the feelings resonate.

So, in 2004, I heard a commentary on NPR*.

A rich-voiced man talked about the process of losing his mother. About having to care for her in ways he didn’t want to. And then realizing he was not only capable, but willing. The host outro said this man was an author with a new book. No surprise. But then he mentioned he used to be homeless. My mind is blown. As much as I loved our unhoused neighbors, I still had my biases.

This guy was so smart. So reflective. Not what I thought homeless people were. I immediately bought Grand Central Winter and devoured it. Then grabbed three friends and Sleepaway School and headed to a couple book signings 8 hours away to meet Lee Stringer.

The first reading was at a library in New Orleans. I got everyone up early so we’d get a good seat. Front row, we’re waiting. A couple other people sat in the back. I’m afraid we’re in the wrong place. Then in comes Lee. He mutters “well, it’s better than no one.” Still, he does the hour justice.

Lucky for me, he had nothing better to do than go to lunch with us. Then dinner. Then walk back to our hostel. Lee stayed late enough talking with us on the front steps he upset the manager. This wild-grey-haired German came out, took one look at this Black man talking with

white kids and yelled at him with a thick accent, “don’t you have a HOME?” I died. Lee was fine.

In the years since then, I’ve tried my best to be useful. I needed to be needed by this community I had not earned a seat in. Because of Lee’s stories about Street News, I started a street newspaper.

At its peak, it would be the highest-circulating of its kind per-capita in the world. People have gotten housing because of millions of connections made and dollars earned — thanks to Lee’s life.

I wanted to be needed by Lee, too, so I tried to ingratiate myself through the tech skills I could offer. We kept in touch. Saw each other most times I’ve visited New York. We’d have occasional phone calls and I’d listen, again, to some stories I love so much. He’d give me advice on whatever was hurting me most at the time.

Then he gets sick. He calls and we cry. He’s optimistic. Tender. (Go back and read Dan’s full piece if you haven't gotten to it already.)

I grab my husband and we drive 7 hours away so I can spend Christmas in the hospital with Lee Stringer.

During these years, we transition from Author and Fan, to Friends, to Something Else. That visit to Little Rock he lets me in. I’ve not fully processed his vulnerability — it changed me, and continues to. Over hours, our conversation goes from fun, to raw, to profane and holy. The Whole Language.

June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 11

Scan to access the Go Fund Me for Lee, created

by Tasha French Lemley.

That weekend, while going through big chemo, he gives me his full humanity. This experience mirrors Lee’s with his mother in the commentary that brought us together years ago. And I realize I’m not only willing, but ready to receive him in his fullness. What a gift to look life squarely in the eye.

My participation in this GoFundMe is no longer an attempt to ingratiate myself, but it is an attempt to serve — to open a window to some of Lee’s needs and release the pressure of being sick in America. Your support has already been so encouraging — and very practically helpful.

Do what you can. Then, pass this fundraiser on to others. Thank you for your love and dollars and prayers. Know they fall on warm and unwinding hearts.

*Listen to that NPR commentary at https://tinyurl.com/nprstringer2004

PRIDE ISSUE: FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Thoughtful Solutions

A collaboration between Launch Pad, Second Harvest and a Vanderbilt organization discusses gender, identity and hunger in LGBTQIA+ communities

By Am an da Hag gar d

I

n Middle Tennessee, “So many of our neighbors in need tell us they are constantly having to make decisions between necessities, like paying for rent or putting food on the table,” says Will Corley, lead volunteer engagement coordinator with Second Harvest Food Bank.

And for folks in LGBTQIA+ communities, this rings even more true.

People in the LGBTQIA+ are more likely to face poverty and the impacts of food insecurity than their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts.

“The causes of this increased struggle are complex and nuanced, but people in the community face them every day,” Corley said. “For example, Trans people face increased difficulty securing SNAP and WIC benefits due to their gender status. Also, LGBTQIA+ youth

are more likely to move into adulthood without family resources due to discrimination.”

Second Harvest Food Bank hosts a monthly Food For Thought panel with various community groups. For their June session, they invited Nashville Launch Pad and Straight Facts on LGBTQIA+ Life to come during Pride month and discuss gender, identity, and hunger in LGBTQIA+ communities.

Nashville Launch Pad is a nonprofit that creates safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ young adults, and Straight Facts about LGBTQIA+ Life is a Vanderbilt University-affiliated group that is focused on educating their communities on social justice ally development, learning how to create Trans-inclusive communities, LGBTQIA+ Life resources on campus and in the world.

Launch Pad’s Corrine Elise, the associate director of engagement and administration, says that 22 percent of the LGBTQIA+ community faces food insecurity versus 16 percent of cisgender, straight people. LGBTQIA+ young adults are also 120 percent more likely to experience homelessness than their straight and cisgender peers.

“Queer individuals face disproportionate rates of discrimination, violence, as well as family and community rejection,” Elise said. “They have to navigate avoiding spaces that are outright hostile, but also they have to be wary of spaces that may say they are open, but are not genuinely affirming. In order to seek shelter or food, they may find themselves in spaces that either overtly or covertly send the message that who they are and who they love is wrong or invalid.”

PAGE 12 | June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Nashville Launch Pad’s goal of providing safer, street-free sleeping shelters for unhoused young adults which are open and affirming to LGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies may seem niche, she says, but it meets a critical need.

“It is unfortunately a pervasive thought that people taking advantage of the system are running rampant and they should just learn to pull themselves up by their bootstraps to succeed,” Elisa said. “This thought process is both incorrect and incredibly harmful. Hunger and homelessness are cycles that are hard to escape once you are in them. Not only that, but many of us are just a paycheck or two away from being in the same situation.”

When Second Harvest reached out to partner with Launch Pad, it made sense. The panel seeks to educate and create a community around a common

PRIDE ISSUE: FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Food for Thought: Pride Edition Monday, June 26, from 5:30-8 p.m.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, 331 Great Circle Road Nashville, TN 37228

goal of ending hunger in LGBTQIA+ communities.

“As much as direct service is necessary, education surrounding these issues can be just as critical,” Elise said.

“If we are more informed we can better understand the systems and power dynamics that lead to homelessness and hunger for our LGBTQ+ young adults.”

And education can be a matter of improving your actions after you learn of the needs in your community. Elisa paraphrased Maya Angelou, saying: "We do the best we can until we know better. And when we know better, we can do better."

Clearing up misconceptions about what hunger looks like is also key to solving the problem.

“The fact of the matter is that a large portion of people facing food insecu-

rity are working, however, are still not able to make ends meet due to inflation, medical bills, rising rent prices, along with other issues,” Corley said.

“Now more than ever, people do not have the necessary safety nets to protect themselves from a missed paycheck or medical issue – especially those in the LGBTQIA+ community.”

In addition to education, changing systems and programs to be more inclusive is vital: People should be able to get food when they need it. Second Harvest chooses partners that do not discriminate in the populations they serve. They recognize that all our neighbors facing food insecurity deserve relief, regardless of their identity.

“Second Harvest’s mission strives to do more than provide food to people facing hunger, we also work to advance

hunger solutions,” Corley said. “That means making sure fewer people must make that impossible decision between housing and food.”

Corlew adds that a “great way to start is with an inclusive language and mindset,” but that material changes need to happen to help those struggling in the LGBTQIA+ community, like safe spaces at Nashville Launch Pad. Launch Pad gives the example of making all restrooms in their shelter spaces gender neutral, not separating their guests by gender, as well as listing their names and pronouns on staff/ volunteer name tags as well as honoring the names and pronouns of their guests.

It’s all about finding “tangible ways you can make your spaces more affirming.”

Food insecurity is complex as it is, but it cannot be understood fully with-

June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 13

out direct input from the people closest to the issue.

“Also consider who is around the table making decisions,” Elise said.

“Is there diversity of thought? Do you have queer voices weighing in? This will impact the inclusivity of your programing.”

The evening will begin with a Second Harvest facility tour and then a panel discussion followed by space for open discussion. The event is free, but guests are welcome to bring food or monetary donations to offer at check in.

“No one organization can tackle hunger or homelessness or discrimination due to identity alone,” Elise said.

“Programs like this are important because they show where we overlap and how we can come together to serve the community well.”

VENDOR WRITING

Kacey Musgraves and Freddie Mercury (Queen)

BY CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR WENDELL J. #5314

PAGE 14 | June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

VENDOR WRITING

From the Bookshelf

Jen A. Reccommends: The Sunflower By Simon Wiesenthal "For evil to flourish it only requires good men to do nothing."

— Simon Wiesenthal The first three decades of the 20th century were especially difficult for the citizens of Europe. Germany, once an economic powerhouse, was battered by a global pandemic, a worldwide economic depression and the humiliating loss of the first world war. As the economic woes worsened, far-right political groups, most notably the Nazis, came to power in the early 1930s by demonizing the previous democratic government, Communists, Socialists, and Jews.

Hitler came to power by convincing everyday Germans that "the others" among them were

the root cause of all their problems. (Does any of that sound familiar?)

But the sheer horror of the crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Nazis is not what this book is about. The first part of The Sunflower details an experience Wiesenthal had while on a forced work detail that brought him into contact with a wounded German SS soldier.

The moral dilemma he confronted as a result of this contact is what Wiesenthal encourages the reader to consider. His tale asks what you would have done in the same situation.

In the second section of The Sunflower, Wiesenthal presented his story to a number of world-renowned experts from various religious, ethical, philosophical and theological

disciplines; from the Dalai Lama, to Suzannah Heschel, to Desmond Tutu and beyond; to give their thoughts on his moral dilemma. It is certainly interesting to read the moral diversity of their replies.

Wiesenthal knew that at some point, the history of his time would repeat itself. He knew that at some point evil, corrupt leaders would rise again while everyday good men and women looked on and did nothing. Perhaps a reading of The Sunflower will give you the necessary historical perspective to summon the moral courage to confront your own complacency. Read The Sunflower before the legislature bans it. They certainly don't want you to take the time to consider the moral consequences of their actions.

your growth and maturity and calling depends on the places God sends you for your training.

And the things he asked you to do. The key is to embrace it, it is for His glory and your good.

What I will share now is some of that insight and understanding.

It was hard, I could not wrap my mind around what I was seeing and experiencing.

As I was processing and grieving all the corruption, in Downtown city of Nashville where I was stationed. It had begun to erupt to a level of anti-homelessness, I had not been aware of previously. It was very sinister. I had noticed some “No Public Restrooms” signs popping up, while others flat out said, “No.” To the usage of their restrooms. I see both sides of the coin, how then can we come together to create a win-win? Others removed benches from their property or forbid them altogether.

Additionally, finding a place to charge your phone was exhausting. Almost made me want to give up on having one. We have very few options for fulfilling these basic needs, and they are decreasing quickly.

How cruel that we should lack access to these basic functions, furthermore that our own government, locally and beyond in cooperation with our local law enforcement is behind this. A plan that has been in the process for decades possibly.

And I will share why I believe this.

Shortly after my entrance into the ominous world of the homeless community, I was made aware of a bill that passed. No coincidence here!

Mind you, without the signatures of the governor on it, (hmmm) A law was about to go into effect in just days, on July 1, 2022. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach, we were now expected to make bricks WITHOUT any straw. I now knew to what the Israelites must have felt!

The law is (SB)1610 entitled Public Safety and Property. A copy of the law and the companion bill (HB)978 are available online.

Basically, as I understand it, in a nutshell, it restricts our daily struggle even further and subjects the homeless community to increased criminalization.

The government is keeping us in a state of pre incarceration in chains and shackles until the day of incarceration, could be permanent. Using the very things (SB)1610 and (HB)978 that would and could keep us from possible housing and employment, the very things that are necessary for escape from the streets. The irony of it.

(SB)1610 and (HB)978 resemble anti-homeless legislation. More obvious than it’s ever been.

Why am I writing about this, from the streets?

It effects myself as well. I am being criminalized for being homeless. You be the judge!

The Story of Little Blue

BY WILLIAM B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

The reason I have Little Blue is I’m not allowed to have a pet where I live at. I used to have cats. I still have two cats now, but they are outside. Orange Blossom Special and Little Blakey. They are brother and sister. RITI don’t want me feeding them, but I’d rather see them eating cat food than birds or rats.

Little Blue is a good dog he don’t eat nothing, he don’t drink nothing. If he needs to go to the bathroom he will come scratch on my leg or shoe. He’s a make believe little dog, but for me he’s real because I can’t have one where I live at. I qualify for a mental or emotional service dog because I’ve been depressed quite a few times in my life.

I have Little Blue because he means a lot to me. I could be depressed not having a pet, but I can go in and give him a little cuddle and

say, “I’m so glad I have you Little Blue” and give him a kiss and a hug. He wants me to teach him how to play the spoons. And he might want to be a Contributor seller!

I’ve had all kinds of pets in my life. I had a ferret that I either called Ferrett or Speedy Gonzalez. I had a goldfish, twin parrots, snakes, lizards and a chameleon. I had a bobcat cub in Knoxville with my second ex wife. I raised a few of them. I raised two Chow dogs from puppy to adult. My kids wanted to name one of them Alexis. I can’t remember what we named the other one. I had Siamese cats. If you’re ever in the house and hear a baby cry, you better trace that down because it could be a stray Siamese cat. That’s how I found mine.

A Walk… In My Shoes

BY REBECCA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

I was asked to live in a level of homelessness, not understood by most, especially those in the Christian community. It happened one day in late June, 21st of June in 2022, to be exact. I thought it only for brief time… until days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, this June will be a year… my one year anniversary.

Celebrate with me! This is my story.

He who has an ear, Let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches Revelation 2:29. The Christian community did not nor could not comprehend “WHY” a most loving and forgiving God could or would ask this of me, such an extreme assignment.

Coming out of summer into the first chilly nights of fall, I was approached frequently. Some questioning my ability to make rash decisions, or that I was hearing from God. They said, “You need to come in,” (The Mission) or, “It’s too cold out here,” or, “I am your voice of reason.” Others said they were speaking on God’s behalf, and gave me the analogy of the man treading water, waiting on a miracle from God. Three came to assist, to which he replied, “No thank you.” to each. “I’m waiting on God.” To this analogy I

replied, “I appreciate your concern, waiting on God. I am not about to abort the mission because the conditions became harsh. God was perfectly able to let me know the, where, how and why.”

For them, God had been placed in a box, and unless it looked like what they knew and understood about God they were not letting “him” out.

LET ME TELL YOU, GOD ALMIGHTY, WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE KEPT IN A BOX, NOR WILL “HE” EVER BE. “He” is not in the box kind of God. “His” best work is when 1. “He” does things in His timing according to His plan and purpose. 2. He works in unconventional ways, ways that are unexpected or unfamiliar to us. 3. He will absolutely not be manipulated or controlled.

This adventure I am on is in God’s timing and will continue to be so, until it’s completion, until the number of days have been fulfilled.

Until then I will not be approved for release, or departure from my assignment . My training on the streets is imperative to my growth and to my calling. Thus far I have received understanding and insight no obtained in any other way.

So it is with you, if, you are on an assignment,

June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 15

“The lack of affordable housing in Nashville is a crisis.

We need a long-term plan and immediate action.”

Matt Wiltshire

As Mayor, Matt will use his affordable housing experience to: Increase the Barnes Affordable Housing Fund.

Make it easier for low income seniors to stay in their homes by hiring housing navigators.

Bring together the city government, the private sector, and non-profit organizations to build more housing that Nashvillians can actually afford.

To learn more, scan here:

VOTE

Matt Wiltshire FOR NASHVILLE MAYOR ON AUGUST 3RD www.Wiltshire.com

MattWiltshireForMayor MattAWiltshire PAID FOR BY MATT FOR MAYOR, ANNA CRAMER, TREASURER

PAGE 16 | June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

@MatthewWiltshire

VENDOR WRITING

A response to “The Rise of Direct Aid” in ‘The Contributor,’ Volume 17, #11, 05/24 - 06/7, 2023

BY LISA A., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR "Direct Aid" should be called compensation pay or reparations, depending on who you’re offering to.

The word “aid“ is insulting. Poor people have been at the effect of war, colonization, resource stealing and greed. To suppose that one is being a benefactor by offering structured and conditional help to the people one has already taken so much from is difficult at best.

As a population, we the unhoused consist of about the same ratio of intelligent or not so much, crazy or sane, traveled, or not traveled, savvy, or not so much — as the rest of the population. The fact that so many people will not trust us to say exactly what would help us has been in the way. The Contributor staff and

volunteers all know this. They have resources on offer, but they know that we know what is best for us.

Resource Sharing As a rule, the people who are really working hard to try to solve problems like homelessness are not typically the people who created the problem. I am ever grateful to those who are able to put in that much volunteer work, and just hard work in general to help the world.

Yet, I do see that the large majority of us unhoused have solutions at hand. Money certainly helps almost everything. If asked to write a proposal on what we would like to do with a meaningful amount of money, I think

you would see creativity, suppressed dreams and abilities come to light. Poor people have learned a lot of behaviors that protect us. One of them is allowing you to think of us as helpless, dumb, or somehow, not entitled. I agree with the author when she states that the puritanical values are what drive our workforce.

If we were to say that we wanted work to be fun, that we wanted to be on our own schedule, that we could serve our community best by having more free time, these things are not allowed to the boots on the ground workers.

Unless you are selling The Contributor! And writing articles. And looking for news that might inform or help people. So no, don’t take our paper away please. See that word, please?

We have no right to make demands.

In a free world In a free world, people, passing by a stranger in a coat, who is obviously living outside, might show some curiosity. They might wish for a safe environment for a soul, so that deep traumas or other forms of loss can be repaired.

But most of all, they would see each person as a free agent. Someone who can help solve their own problems, but who might need a little love, community, inclusivity. I do believe it is a myth that we can just pull ourselves up by your bootstraps. I have tried. I have lots of broken laces to show you. We need each other.

And that is a good thing.

What is Happening in Nashville?

BY JULIE B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

What is happening to Nashville? My dad (God rest his soul) used to tell me that there were people in Nashville that helped people at the drop of a hat. If you needed a ride, they're right there. If you needed food? It was left on your doorstep. But it’s not like that anymore and I think that is sad.

I think it’s sad that the homeless are just brushed aside and not taken care of. They don’t have anywhere to go. The cops, they try to push us out, harass us and the people in Nashville don’t even care. They don’t even care about helping and I think that’s wrong. I think it’s sad that people in Nashville don’t care about

Life

BY JAMES “SHORT Y” R., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR Life is always good as they say; it’s not a bed of roses neither. You can always choose your path. The left or the right. Choose it wisely.

Make the right decision. We have trials and paths to cross. Let’s pray that our endeavors are for the best.

We will have a lot of ups and downs, like I’ve said, “Don’t give up, it may be a little rocky sometimes and our life won’t be smooth, so keep your heads up and smile. No frowns are allowed.”

We are all here together, live your life to the fullest. Be happy with one another.

anybody but themselves. I heard a lady yesterday say you know people in other cities take care of the homeless better than Nashville does, and I couldn't even believe what I heard, but you know what I believe it now. They probably do take better care of their homeless than Nashville does. Did you know Texas and Florida are building houses for their homeless. Why can’t Nashville do that? Why can’t Nashville refurbish these buildings? Why can’t they do something to help the homeless instead of just beating us and clothing us? Why don’t they start building places for us? Why doesn’t the city and the Mayor give us the $14 million that they have sitting

up there. It was for the homeless anyway. Why not give it to us? Let us get a hotel room, a bath, a shower. Let us be able to sleep in a damn bed.

Why did 174 homeless people have to die last year to get somebody’s attention?

Why doesn’t Nashville do the right thing and care enough about their homeless people to build something they could live in? They are going to be people that have money that are going to be sitting where I am one day.

My dad always said, “Don’t judge a book by its cover until you walked a mile in their shoes.”

And my mother (God rest her soul) used to say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover until you

see what’s inside.” And all of Nashville judges.

Just because somebody is homeless doesn’t mean they don’t have feelings. It doesn’t mean they’re not a person. It doesn’t mean they’re not a human being. It just means they’re down on their luck and to get back up there they need somebody’s help and it is sad that Nashville can’t provide that help. Didn’t God say feed the hungry and help the poor? Well Homeless people are poor. Why don’t Nashville start helping us by building us some place to live and getting rid of the icons and the statues and everything else that makes Nashville the place that my dad told me about?

Love: No Matter What the Cost

BY JOHN H., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

God said in 1 Corinthians 13:2-3 that if you had all the faith you could move mountains, if you had all knowledge, understand all mysteries and have not love, you are nothing. Many go to God’s house every Sunday. Sometimes I wonder. To my understanding, being a Christian, Love is where it all begins. God said, out of all things he commanded, love was the most important.

To love God and love one another. We can’t just say it, we have to live it.

All month I’ve been trying to deal with the unknown. Everyday I go to work I lock my door and every time I return my door is open. But what I really can’t understand is I’m a tenant at Trevecca high rise and staff know what’s going on but I’m not allowed that information. Maybe that’s their rule, but it seems more like hate or personal vendetta. Supposedly it’s a Christian campus but on the other hand, I have to be on the alert every night, watching and waiting to see if someone try to open my door with a key like they did two Saturdays ago. It

don’t bother me much because God already prepared me for this day. Over thirty years I lived along the streets. God watched over me and now I live in an apartment which is now no better than the streets. No privacy, don’t know whether someone will barge in or not. I can’t see much difference than living under the bridge. Whether company policy or not, we reap what we sowe. I suffer from depression sometimes but this don’t depress me at all. I just wonder why God’s got my back.

Ya see I talk to God everyday, every night and all through the day. He knows my heart. I’m not a perfect person. I can’t go around being what people (world) wants me to be. Trevecca can’t take my joy. If I did life in prison it wouldn’t take my joy. I feel great, I got the words off my chest. Time to continue to do God’s work. I love y’all.

And no matter what we go through God said we must continue in love. Love is how God’s identify his childrens. Sin and hatred is how Satan identify his.

June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 17

What's in a Name?

JEN A., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR She had named her firstborn son After her husband, Nicholas And her saintlike father, Albert But Nicholas never measured up So she stripped little Nicholas Albert Of his first name Moved him from his Indiana home To Southwest Ohio Where he was only ever known as Albert My great-grandfather Albert Was a very good man

FUN

HOBOSCOPES CANCER

The ice cream truck is coming, Cancer! I can’t believe it’s finally happening for us!

I’ve got enough cash for mine and yours and if you’ve got any extra, we can buy Libra one. This is so exciting! It’s right on our street and…wait…is he playing “Enter Sandman?” Oh. Maybe that’s just a regular truck, Cancer. Sorry to get you all worked up.

I’ll tell you what, though, now that you know what you really want, I think you may need to stop sitting on the porch waiting for it. I’ll go get Libra and you can drive.

LEO

I used to get really excited about summer blockbuster movies. They’ve got all those heroic explosions and the robots that turn into dinosaurs that step on cars that turn into aliens. These days, Leo, I have a harder time surrendering to those redemptive-violence story arcs and absolutist, dualistic, morality-play theatrics. I’d rather just go for a walk and see what wildflowers are blooming in the vacant lot on the corner. Whatever level of excitement or escape you’re looking for this week, Leo, remember that reality isn’t always so bad. You might just be looking at the wrong reality.

VIRGO

My dog used to get upset about fireworks.

She’d whine and crouch put her ears back.

But the last few years they don’t bother her. I don’t think she got wiser or worked through her anxiety. I think she just doesn’t hear as well as she used to. And I think, Virgo, that the things that are upsetting you lately won’t be so difficult just a little way down the line. You can put in some work and learn to deal with your heaviest emotions. Or you can let time dull the sensation while you move on to new worries.

In any case, Virgo, the distant celebratory explosions aren’t going to be the thing that gets you. Time might.

LIBRA

Well, Libra, our second quarter productivity reports are in and the results are… mixed. While it is true that Libras in Q2 were less productive than projected, it does appear that you’ve achieved better balance of work, life, creativity, introspection and relaxation. The board has reviewed these results and determined that we’re throwing out productivity reporting going forward and that your entire team should just keep doing what you know is already working. Bonuses will be applied periodically throughout the rest of your life.

SCORPIO

On our last adventure, Scorpio, you discovered The Emerald Crown of Anaphylaxis deep in the catacombs beneath The Turgid Throne. You defeated The Brotherhood of the Seven Saabs and returned the crown to Professor Sklumt just in time to stop the Ritual of Molten Lymph. But you’ve got to get back out there, Scorpio.

Sure, you’ve completed one epic adventure, but you still have to show up again tomorrow. How else are we going to make a sequel?

SAGITTA R IUS

There’s a new place at the end of the block that’s advertising “Oklahoma-style mozzarella sticks.” I probably won’t go because I get my Oklahoma-style mozzarella sticks at the place across the street and they’re super nice and always send me coupons. Specificity can be helpful, Sagittarius. Sometimes we don’t know what we’re looking at or how we’re feeling until we have a word for it. If you’ve never felt like this before, don’t rush past it. Dig in. Talk it out. Maybe what you’re experiencing is just Oklahoma-style anxiety.

CAPRICORN

I told the phone store concierge that my battery used to last all day, but lately I’m lucky to make it to lunch with any energy at all.

She grabbed my phone and said I have a bunch of power-intensive astrology apps running in the background like startrakr and zodiaxe-pro. I explained that I wasn’t talking about my phone battery. I just feel totally drained every day after noon and I was wondering if she had any advice since she seemed so well rested. Make sure you’re asking the right people the right questions, Capricorn. And stop running so many apps in the background.

AQUA RIUS

After the first successful test of the atomic bomb, Robert Oppenheimer famously said, “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” It’s a complicated legacy, Aquarius. And it makes me think, what am you become? I hope that whatever it is, it’s something you have peace with and something that brings life to those around you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am become tired of this sentence structure and will be talking normal for the rest of the day.

PISCES

I’m pretty sure the guy next to me at the stoplight wants to race. He keeps revving his engine and pointing at me and sneering with his sunglasses slid down his nose just enough that I can see his eyes locked on mine.

I don’t think I should get involved, though. For one thing, it’s dangerous and irresponsible. For another, I’m riding a unicycle and I think he has an unfair advantage. Be careful whose challenges you accept, Pisces. The only person at this intersection you need to impress is yourself.

ARIES

Last time I went to the zoo, Aries, I was walking back to my car and I noticed a half dozen people staring at the base of a tree in the parking lot. I walked over and stared, too.

It turned out, there was a lizard. It was one of those brown, shiny thick-necked ones that lives around here.

And everybody was standing back and watching it, because they’d just spent two hours paying attention to the animals around them and when they left they couldn’t turn it off. We mostly see what we’re looking for, Aries. There’s always a lizard in the parking lot for those who are willing to keep their eyes open.

TAURUS

Your mission, Taurus, should you choose to accept it, is really not as difficult as you were expecting. I know, I know. It’s supposed to be something unachievable that you don’t even want to take-on but you feel like you have to because you're the only one who can. There’s supposed to be syncopated eighth notes and exploding briefcases, but this time, Taurus, your mission is just to be still for a little while. Be where you are. Breathe in and out. We’re all counting on you.

GEMINI

I was walking on the trail in the park and a snake crossed my path. Or maybe I crossed hers. We both froze, trying to decide what the other was doing and who should have right-of-way. In the end, I decided that she should go first. Afterall, she lives in the park and I’m just visiting.

So I took a couple steps back and she got moving again.

Just before she slithered off into the trees, Gemini, she turned back to me and whispered something I’ll never forget: “You’re shoe’s untied.” She was right. You may be surprised at the advice you’ll get if you take a step back and wait for it.

Mr. Mysterio is not a licensed astrologer, a certified ice cream truck driver or a trained archeologist. Listen to the Mr. Mysterio podcast at mrmysterio.com Or just give him a call at 707-VHS-TAN1

PAGE 18 | June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

The New Christian Year Selected by Charles Williams

Charles Walter Stansby Williams (1886–1945), the editor of the following selections, is today probably the third most famous of the famous Inklings literary group of Oxford, England, which existed in the middle of the 20th century, and which included among its ranks the better-known and longer-lived Oxford Dons J.R.R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis—but he was arguably the most precocious and well-read of this eminent and intellectually fertile group. He was also known to have influenced Dorothy Sayers, T. S. Eliot and W. H. Auden.

Lacking a proper degree unlike his fellow Inklings, this genius Cockney-speaking author, editor, critic, and playwright was eminently well-versed in both philosophical and theological writings of the remote past as of the present day (the mid-20th century) and used this familiarity to good effect in his poetry, supernatural fiction and his lesser-known devotional selections designed for the spiritual benefit of the faithful in the Church of England. This series of profound quotations, encompassing all walks of life, follows the sequence of the themes and Bible readings anciently appointed for contemplation throughout the church's year, beginning with Advent (i.e., December) and ending in November, and reaches far beyond the pale of the philosophical and theological discussions of his day. It was under his hand, for instance, that some of the first translations of Kierkegaard were made available to the wider public. It is hoped that the readings reproduced here will prove beneficial for any who read them, whatever their place in life's journey. — Matthew Carver

3rd Wednesday after Trinity

4th Friday after Trinity

WHILE Pilate now fainteth in the righteousness that he knoweth and is sure of, and holdeth not on stoutly, as he should, to deliver Christ, God suffereth him still to fall till he come to this point, that he condemneth the innocent to death against his own conscience. Thus goeth it with all those that for the grace of God lent unto them are unthankful and unfaithful in the little.

Coverdale: Fruitful Lessons on the Passion.

IT is well worth observing that our Saviour's greatest trials were near the end of His process or life—that He then experienced the sharpest part of our redemption.

This might sufficiently show us that our first awakenings have carried us but a little way; that we should not then begin to be self-assured of our own salvation, but remember that we stand at a great distance from and in great ignorance of our severest trials.

William Law: Christian Regeneration.

I LOVE thee more ardently than thou hast loved thine abominations.

Pascal: Pensées.

3rd Thursday after Trinity

4th Tuesday after Trinity

4th Saturday after Trinity

IT is not always grave suffering that is most likely to help one die to the world. No, that can also give joie de vivre, spiritual joie de vivre. No, the most deadening things of all are worldly hardships, mere trifles.

Kierkegaard: Journals.

MANY things seem to be good and yet are not, because they be not done with a good mind and intention; and therefore our Saviour saith in the Gospel, If thy eye has naught, all thy body shall be dark. For when the intention is wicked, all the work with followeth is naught, although it seemed to be never so good.

St Gregory the Great: Dialogues.

THE ten Commandments, when written by God on the tables of stone and given to man, did not then first begin to belong to man; they had their existence in man, were born with him, they lay as a seed and power of goodness, hidden in the form and make of his soul and altogether inseparable from it, before they were shown to man on tables of stone. And when they were shown to man on tables of stone, they were only outward imitations of that which was inwardly in man, though not legible because of that impurity of flesh and blood in which they were drowned and swallowed up.

William Law: The Spirit of Love.

CHILDHOOD in Christ is perfection with reference to the law.

St Clement: The Paedagogue.

3rd Friday after Trinity GOD knew every good work that thou shouldest do, every good thought that thou shouldest think to thy end, before thy beginning, for he of his own goodness imprinted this degree of goodness in thee; but yet assure thyself, that he loves thee in another manner, and another measure, then, when thou comest really to do those good works, than before, or when thou didst only conceive a purpose of doing them: he calls them good when he sees them.

Donne: Sermons.

4th Wednesday after Trinity NOR do all these, youth out of infancy, or age out of youth, arise so, as a phoenix out of the ashes of another phoenix formerly dead, but as a wasp, or a serpent out of carrion, or as a snake out of dung; our youth is worse than our infancy, and our age worse than our youths; our youth is hungry and thirsty after those sins which our infancy knew not, and our age is sorry and angry that it cannot pursue those sins which our youth did.

Donne: Sermons.

Feast of St. Peter

ABBA John used to say, "We relinquish a light burden when we condemn ourselves, but we take upon ourselves a heavy burden when we justify ourselves."

The Paradise of the Fathers.

Fourth Sunday after Trinity WHAT is Christ's joy in us, but that He deigns to rejoice on our account? And what is our joy, which He says shall be full, but to have fellowship with Him? He had perfect joy on our account, when He rejoiced in the foreknowing, and predestinating us; but that joy was not in us, because then we did not exist: it began to be in us, when He called us. And this joy we rightly call our own, this joy wherewith we shall be blessed; which is begun in the faith of them who are born again, and shall be fulfilled in the reward of them who rise again.

St Augustine, quoted in Aquinas, Catena Aurea.

GOD and the worshipper are adapted to one another, happily, blissfully, as never were lovers adapter to one another. It is now the only wish of the worshipper to become weaker and weaker, for with that the more worship; the only need worship feels is that God may become stronger and stronger.

Kierkegaard: Christian Discourses.

[OF the Cross] Its breadth lies in the transverse beam on which the hands of the Crucified are extended; and signifies good works in all the breadth of love: its length extends from the transverse beam to the ground, and is that whereto the back and feet are affixed; and signifies perseverance through the whole length of time to the end: its height is in the summit, which rises upwards above the transverse beam; and signifies the supernal goal, to which all works have reference, since all things that are done well and perseveringly, in respect of their breadth and length, are to be done also with due regard to the exalted character of the divine rewards: its depth is found in the part that is fixed into the ground; for there it is both concealed and invisible, and yet from thence spring up all those parts that are outstanding and evident to the senses; just as all that is good in us proceeds from the depths of the grace of God, which is beyond the reach of human comprehension and judgement.

St Augustine: On I John.

Third Sunday after Trinity

4th Thursday after Trinity

5th Tuesday after Trinity

SO new, so unheard of, so unexpected in this world is the power of God unto salvation, that it can appear among us, be received and understood by us, only as a contradiction. The Gospel does not expound or recommend itself. It does not negotiate or plead, threaten, or make promises. It withdraws itself always when it is not listened to for its own sake.

Barth: The Epistle to the Romans.

LORD, before I commit a sin, it seems to me so shallow that I may wade through it dry-shod from any guiltiness; but when I have committed it, it often seems so deep that I cannot escape without drowning.

Thomas Fuller: Good Thoughts in Bad Times.

CONSIDER that Jesus suffered in His heart with all the knowledge of a God, and that in His heart there was every human heart and every form of suffering from Adam until the consummation of the world.

Ah yes, to suffer for others can be a great joy if one has a generous soul, but to suffer in others is to really suffer!

Léon Bloy: Letters to his Fiancée.

3rd Saturday after Trinity WHAT is God's forgiving sinful man? It is nothing else in its whole nature but God's making him righteous again. There is no other forgiveness of sin but being made free from it. Therefore, the compassionate love of God that forgives sin, is no other than God's love of His own righteousness, for the sake of which and through the love of which He makes man righteous again.

William Law: Letters.

IF thou knewest thy sins, thou wouldst lose heart.

Pascal: Pensées.

5th Monday after Trinity THOUGH he were innocence itself, and knew no sin, yet there was no sin that he knew not, for, all our sins were his. He was not only made man, and by taking (by admitting, though not by committing) our sins, as well as our nature, sinful man; but he was made sin for our sakes.

Donne: Sermons.

THY conversion is My affair; fear not, and pray with confidence as for Me. Pascal: Pensées.

THE Jews, in testing if he were God, have shown that he was man.

Pascal: Pensées.

Sponsored by Matthew Carver, publisher

June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 19

PIECES OF POETRY

Imagination Relationship WRITTEN BY CHRIS SCOTT FIESELMAN It takes a good imagination, And a tender Heart, To have a relationship with God. If imagination is your relationship, How real does it feel to you?

And what do you consider the truth?

Ooh... Ooh... Ooh...

They can’t take away, What you choose to believe.

It’s always much better, To give than receive.

Strong and courageous, In times of need.

Serve as an example, By the life that you lead.

It takes an awful lot of Faith, To remove all doubt.

Patiently waiting, While doing without.

Faith is believing, What you cannot see,

THEME: T V DA DS ACROSS 1. Necklace lock 6. Blue 9. *Mr. Micelli in "Who's the Boss" 13. "The Tortoise and the Hare," e.g.

14. Beer acronym 15. Check recipient 16. Angler's basket 17. Circle part 18. "Orange" warning 19. *Mr. Keaton in "Family Ties" 21. *Mr. Cunningham in "Happy Days" 23. Dad's offspring 24. "Jack and the Beanstalk" instrument 25. General Post Office 28. Plural of cecum 30. Pompous windbag 35. Not written 37. Scotch ingredient 39. Complain 40. Spanish surrealist Joan 41. Formed #17 Across 43. Press back arrow key 44. Not odds 46. "Musical" constellation 47. Backgammon predecessor 48. Louisiana music genre 50. Aware of 52. Jeans brand 53. In a little while, old-fashioned 55. Old age, old-fashioned 57. *Mr. White "Breaking Bad" 60. *Mr. Stark "Game of Thrones" 63. Ruffle on a blouse 64. Determine the sum 66. Feline sound 68. Bronze, e.g.

69. Chasing game 70. "All joking ____" 71. Big Bang's original matter 72. Compass bearing 73. Type of stocking

32. Twofold DOWN 1. Olden-day aerosol can pro- 33. *Mr. Johnson in "Black-ish" 34. Glittery stone pellant, acr.

36. Like certain Ranger 2. Lawrence, for short 38. Seaside bird 3. Aid and ____ 42. Old hat 4. Like gelled hair 45. Scatterbrained, in U.K. 5. Relating to pelvis 49. Top seed 6. a.k.a. Xi'an 51. Nickname for dad (2 words) 7. Credit card rate, acr.

54. Speak like Cicero 8. Putin's country house, e.g.

56. ____ Buchanan of "The 9. Samoan money Great Gatsby" 10. Deed hearing 57. China's Great one 11. Egghead 58. Often goes with "willing" 12. Up to the present time 59. Rumpelstiltskin's weaver 15. a.k.a. melon tree 60. Upper hand 20. Organ swelling 22. What organza and forgive- 61. Not top-shelf 62. Popular symbol of extincness have in common tion 24. Calm and peaceful 25. *Mr. Addams "The Addams 63. *Mr. Pritchett in "Modern Family" Family" 65. *Mr. Conner in "Roseanne" 26. Outhouse 67. Skin cyst 27. Propelled like Argo 29. *Mr. Winslow in "Family Matters" 31. Give the cold shoulder

And knowing what, You’re hoping for, Is going to be.

It takes a good imagination, And a tender Heart, To create a faith based, Relationship with God. If imagination is your relationship, How real does it feel to you?

And what are you willing to do?

Ooh... Ooh... Ooh...

This is where the rubber, Hits the road.

When you start to stumble under, The heavier load.

Of putting other people before yourself, And being there and caring more, For someone else.

Learning what it takes, To have a servant’s heart Turning everyday into a gift from God. There’s no greater Love or Sacrifice, To separate us from, The Love of Jesus Christ.

Pieces of Poetry - part 2, To Be Continued...

PAGE 20 | June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Can Poetry Make a Difference?

WRITTEN BY CHRIS SCOTT FIESELMAN Excerpt taken from: “Lessons Learned from Wisdom’s Words” Written by Chris Scott Fieselman Published by Outskirts Press - Page 32 Can Poetry Make a Difference?

Well I believe it can.

Like a recipe, For someone to read, Using words, Like ingredients.

Can a poet, Paint a picture?

Is a poem a work of art?

Can it tear down walls?

Or build bridges to touch, And change a person’s heart?

Can Poetry Make a Difference?

Can poetry right the wrong?

When you add a little bit, Of music to it.

Can a poem become a song?

Is there Wisdom, In what’s been written?

Is it something, Someone, Wants to sing?

Can Poetry Make a Difference?

Can poetry change a thing?

Can Poetry Make a Difference?

Some things, Are better left un-said.

Words that are worth, Remembering, Are something, That you never forget.

When you take the time, To make it rhyme, And it all makes, Perfect Sense.

Can a poem persuade you?

To change your mind?

Can Poetry Make a Difference?

MOVING PICTURES

Expressions of Cyberpunk MORE THAN 40 YEARS AFTER ITS DEBUT, TRON IS STILL GORGEOUS AND MORE TIMELY THAN EVER

BY JOE NOLAN, FILM CRITIC Walt Disney’s TRON and Ridley Scott’s original Blade Runner film both debuted in 1982. TRON is a movie aimed at adolescents, trading on the first wave of the arcade video games craze of the 1980s.

Blade Runner is a neo-noir procedural about a former police officer hunting rogue androids, based on a 1968 Philip K. Dick novel. At first blush the films have little in common, but together they represent some of the earliest expressions of cyberpunk, hitting the theaters two years before William Gibson’s Neuromancer novel helped to cement the “lowlife/high tech” aesthetics of the genre. There’s not a mention of TRON in the Wikipedia entry detailing the history of cyberpunk. But the movie includes numerous elements that later become the bedrock of the genre: a realistic, high tech future; corrupt mega-corporations; human-computer interfacing; personified machines, and threatening AIs. Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) operates a video game arcade, but he’s also a talented computer engineer who was once part of a renowned software company, ENCOM. Flynn was double-crossed by his colleague, Ed Dillinger (David Warner) who got Flynn terminated while also taking credit for the video games Flynn created. Flynn attempts to find evidence of Dillinger’s duplicity by hacking into ENCOM’s mainframe before he’s transported into the digital realm.

Inside the Grid, Flynn meets personified software programs living under the oppressive rule of the Master Control Program (MCP) — a power-mad AI developed by

Dillinger. Flynn, Tron (a security program) and Yori (a digital simulations program) embark on a mission to overthrow the MCP and restore freedom to the Grid.

TRON director, Steve Lisberger was a traditional animator who was inspired to create the persona of an “electronic warrior” when he watched a sample reel from a computer firm called MAGI, and saw their Pong video game for the very first time. Lisberger intuitively understood how video game animation might be used in film, and TRON developed, in fits and starts, from short experiments with traditional animation to a feature length script combining live action sequences along with backlit cel animation and some of the earliest uses of CGI in film. French comic book artist Moebius designed the sets and costumes for the film. Industrial designer Syd Mead created most of the vehicles — including the iconic light cycles — and commercial artist Peter Lloyd created the environment of TRON’s digital world. The movie’s groundbreaking visuals are brought to life by Wendy Carlos’s electronic music score which will sound familiar to fans who’ve heard Carlos’s compositions in Stanley Kubrick films like A Clockwork Orange and The Shining. TRON ultimately required the work of nearly 600 technicians to complete post production.

Nashvillians who like art galleries as much as movie theaters might remember Watch Me Move: The Animation Show at the Frist Art Museum, way back in 2014.

That broad and deep exploration of the history of animated imag-

ery included a room that was dedicated to a video installation celebrating the groundbreaking visuals of TRON. Not every film can be boiled-down into a stand-alone installation, and TRON’s iconic style and visionary storytelling have only gained gravitas as its manand-machine themes seem less fantastical with each Zoom meetup, each ChatGPT prompt. I don’t expect to be wandering around inside my laptop anytime soon, but as the boundaries between the real and the digital continue to blur and

dissolve, TRON reminds us that our machines are only as good — or as bad — as ourselves.

TRON is the Midnight Movie at the Belcourt Theatre on Friday, June 23. Go to www.belcourt.org for tickets

Joe Nolan is a critic, columnist and performing singer/songwriter based in East Nashville.

Find out more about his projects at www. joenolan.com.

June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 21

LA NOTICIA “The Contributor” está trabajando con uno de los principales periódicos en español La Noticia para llevar contenido a más lectores en Middle Tennessee. Nuestros vendedores de periódicos han pedido durante mucho tiempo que nuestra publicación incluya contenido que apele al interés de residentes de habla hispana en nuestra comunidad.

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San Diego Latino Film Festival: 30 años celebrando la diversidad y el talento hispano

destaca y promueve la obra de mujeres El San Diego cineastas latinas y de todo el mundo, Latino Film Festival brindándoles la plataforma para mostrar (SDLFF) es uno de sus trabajos y contar sus historias únicas. los festivales de cine latino más destaca¿De dónde surge la idea de remarcar el lidos en los Estados derazgo de la mujer en la industria del cine?

Unidos, y que Ethan Van Thillo: “Pues mira este, cada además celebra la año tenemos un Show Case que se llama gran diversidad y Vive mujeres. Exhibimos cortometrajes, variedad de exprelargometrajes dirigidos por mujeres o pueden siones artísticas. Por Marisela Puicón tener historias que se trata de la experiencia Habiéndose creado Contributing writer de mujer. Mira, yo creo que es muy imporen sus inicios como @mariselapuicon tante exhibir y celebrar la diversidad de la un festival estudiantil en la Universidad comunidad latina. Sabemos que, en Estatal de San Diego, acaba de cumplir 30 Hollywood, en la industria, desafortunadaaños de aniversario y ha ido tomando mente todavía hay muchos hombres en frente gran presencia a través de estos años, de las cámaras y detrás de las cámaras es sirviendo como plataforma para que los Foto: Marisela Puicón precisamente como directores ¿no? Tú sabes, cineastas latinos y de otras nacionalidades en los premios Oscar que apenas pasó, no puedan mostrar sus obras y establecer San Diego Latino Film Festival Founder and Executive Director, Ethan Van Thillo (center). hubo ninguna mujer que está nominada por contactos en la industria. empezamos a exhibir películas en los cines El festival atrae a un público diverso, com- mejor dirección, no como mujer. Pues yo creo El festival es una gran fiesta para los sen- comerciales aquí como AMC o diferentes puesto tanto por hispanohablantes como que es muy importante que el festival siemtidos, la mezcla de diferentes actividades cines comerciales y cuando llegamos a esos por angloparlantes, así como por personas pre trate de mostrar otra imagen desde lo que artísticas despierta emociones en los asis- centros de comercios, quisimos celebrar no interesadas en la cultura y la cine- estamos viendo en Hollywood o en progratentes, generando una experiencia que va solamente el cine, la cultura latina, la matografía latinoamericana y española. En mas de Netflix o algo así. Es importante que más allá del solo ver películas llenando a diversidad latina sino demostrar a todo el la edición de este año se proyectaron 160 el festival siempre tenga espacios para diferlos visitantes de alegría y color; pro- mundo a las personas que están yendo de films y participaron más de 20 países, entre entes comunidades dentro de la comunidad moviendo el diálogo intercultural y la compras y a los asistentes del festival, que es ellos Nicaragua, México, Chile, Brasil, latina. En este (SDLFF) celebramos a la difusión de historias y visiones de mucho más que cine, se siente la cultura, si Perú, Argentina, España, Colombia, El mujer, celebramos el LGBTQ, la comunidad Latinoamérica, España y Portugal en el siente esa celebración, para mí es maravi- Salvador, Ecuador, Bolivia, Cuba, gay, celebramos diferentes países, aunque lloso cuando llegan y escuchan la música, o Uruguay, República Dominicana, Costa estamos aquí cerquita de México. Es impormercado estadounidense. están viendo este baile o viendo a artistas Rica, Bélgica, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, tante que el festival celebre diferentes países Conversamos con el fundador y director vendiendo su arte. Eso es lo bueno del festi- Panamá, Portugal y Estados Unidos. como Argentina, Chile, Brasil, ejecutivo del Festival Ethan Van Thillo val, es el que tratamos de hacer y celebrar Mujeres Filmmakers…

Centroamérica. Eso es muy importante, que toda la cultura latina, además de exhibir quien nos habló sobre esta excelente oporLa presencia de mujeres cineastas en el sigua empujando diferentes voces dentro de tunidad donde la comunidad latina tiene películas increíbles cada año”.

SDLFF se ha vuelto cada vez más rele- la comunidad latina”. una mayor presencia y visibilidad en la CONTINUARÁ...

A lo largo de estas 3 décadas el San vante en los últimos años. El festival cultura pop y en la industria del cine.

Diego Latino Film Festival se ha con¿Podríamos decir entonces, que la comu- vertido en un importante escaparate nidad latina se ve representada a través de para cineastas latinos emergentes y este importante festival? establecidos, ofreciendo gran variedad de películas en diferentes géneros, desde Ethan Van Thillo: “Pues ojalá que sí. dramas hasta comedias, documentales Mira, como mencionaste, empezamos como y cortometrajes. Hay paneles de disun festival de cine estudiantil, empezamos en las universidades o los colegios, aquí en cusión y eventos especiales relacionados WeGo Public Transit llevará a cabo reuniones públicas y tendrá un San Diego, en Baja California y poco a con el cine latino, lo que lo convierte en período abierto de comentarios del 26 de junio al 17 de julio con una experiencia cultural única. poco crecimos como un festival y relación a cambios propuestos en el servicio de otoño.

AVISO DE REUNIONES PÚBLICAS, PERÍODO DE COMENTARIOS

Conoce tus derechos: ¿Que hacer en caso de una redada?

1. Mantenerse callado 2. Sólo dar nombre y apellido 3. No mentir 4. Nunca acepte/lleve documentos falsos 5. No revelar su situación migratoria 6. No llevar documentación de otro país 7. En caso de ser arrestado, mostrarla Tarjeta Miranda (llámenos si necesita una) Basados en la Quinta Enmienda de la Constitución, los derechos de guardar silencio y contar con un abogado fueron denominados Derechos Miranda luego de la decisión de la Suprema Corte de Justicia de Estados Unidos en el caso Miranda vs. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, de 1966.

por www.juanese.com juanese@usa.com

La reunions públicas tendrán lugar como sigue: Martes 27 de junio de 12-1 p.m., Elizabeth Duff Transit Center en WeGo Central, 400 Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Blvd., Nashville Miércoles 28 de junio de 12-1 p.m., Reunión virtual (webex); Código de Acceso: 2487 529 0112; Contraseña: xYkR5JHpA74; Teléfono 720-650-7664.

Jueves 29 de junio de 5:30-6:30 p.m., Reunión virtual (webex); Código de Acceso: 2493 625 1582; Contraseña: T7Hwc7RkwN8; Teléfono 720-650-7664.

Para información detallada sobre los cambios propuestos y como registrarse para las reuniones, visite, WeGoTransit.com comenzando el 16 de junio o llame a Atención al Cliente al 615-862-5950.

Por favor tenga en cuenta que no se requiere la asistencia a las reuniones para someter comentarios. Puede enviar comentarios por correo a WeGo Public Transit Community Engagement, Atención: Public Meeting Comments, 430 Myatt Drive, Nashville, TN 37115; llamar a Comentarios Públicos al 615-862-5686; o enviar un correo electrónico a WeGoTransit@nashville.gov hasta el 17 de julio de 2023.

PAGE 22 | June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

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June 21 - July 5, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 23

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