Vinegar Hill Magazine | Winter 2023

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INSIDE LETTER TO THE READERS

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The Vinegar Hill Team

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Recent Exhibition by Jay Simple

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Channing Matthews

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WHERE THE YOUNG BOLS RUMBLE

FOOD JUSTICE IN CHARLOTTESVILLE

NEW HILL, BEACON, AND THE NEW BLUEPRINT FOR GROWTH IN C-VILLE

by Sarad Davenport

LEE STATUE MELTED DOWN FOR ART

Interview of Dr. Andrea Douglas

TRAVEL ABROAD TO JORDAN WITH MIKELA

Mikela Franklin

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about this issue, winter 2023 Dear Readers, This issue, we embark on a captivating journey that explores art, food, and community development.

First, we delve into the depths of Jay Simple’s powerful exhibition, “Where the Young Bols Rumble.” This impactful work challenges the very foundations of the American Dream and compels us to confront the historical amnesia, gentrification, and systemic racism that continue to plague Black communities in America.

Next, we join the inspiring young participants of the Charlottesville Food Justice Camp as they explore the concept of food sovereignty and its impact on their lives.

Through their hands-on experiences at farms and urban gardens, we gain valuable insights into the importance of food access, the historical contributions of BIPOC farmers, and the potential for alternative models like the communityowned grocery store.

Then, we travel to the heart of Charlottesville, where BEACON, a shared kitchen space, is nurturing the community and empowering Black food entrepreneurs. Through its culinary creations and mentorship programs, BEACON offers a beacon of hope and opportunity, fostering a vibrant community where dreams are nurtured and talents flourish.

Finally, in a poignant reflection, Mikela Franklin shares her recent travels to Jordan. Immersed in the ancient wonders of Petra and the vibrant culture of Amman, she grapples with grief while finding solace in the enduring strength of the past and the kindness of the Jordanian people.

As this issue delves into themes of community, resilience, and the creative spirit, we invite you to reflect on your own journeys and the lessons learned along the way. May you find inspiration within these pages and discover strength and solace in the face of life’s challenges.

With warm regards, The Vinegar Hill Magazine Team

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Vinegar Hill Magazine Winter 2023

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Jay Simple Exhibition Challenges Construction of the

American Dream Where The Young Bols Rumble This past fall, TILT Institute for the Contemporary Image in Philadelphia presented a solo exhibition by visual artist Jay Simple. The exhibition, titled ‘Where the Young Bols Rumble’, called into question the construction of the American Dream and who it was intended to benefit.

Simple’s artwork functions as a provocation and dismantling of the institutional structures designed to subjugate Black people since they arrived in this country. Historical amnesia, gentrification, capitalism, and the art establishment were some of the primary subjects he had taken on.

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Simple defies conventional approaches to displaying photographs in a gallery. He collaged visual artifacts onto sheets of weathered metal, protest signs, astronaut helmets, and grandfather clocks adorned with wings to resemble rocket ships.

Allusions to time and space abounded, signaling to the viewer that life out there was no better than what they had here.

The exhibition also included a film by Chicago-based artist and curator Amir George. George used art to create spiritual stories that juxtaposed sound and image into a non-linear perceptual

Vinegar Hill Magazine Winter 2023

experience, resulting in fragmented vignettes about the hidden background of the subjects he explored.

Simple’s exhibition was a timely and important contribution to the ongoing conversation about race and justice in America. It was a must-see for anyone who wanted to understand the complex realities of Black life in the United States.

About the Artist Jay Simple is a visual artist and scholar. He was the Executive Director of The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative in Charlottesville, Virginia. In 2020, Simple founded and directed the Photographer’s Greenbook,

Jay Simple, Executive Director of the Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative

an online resource dedicated to providing resources for photographers from underrepresented groups.

Simple received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from Columbia College Chicago, a Master of Liberal Arts from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Fine Arts in Photography from the Rhode Island School of Design.

About TILT Institute TILT Institute for the Contemporary Image supported contemporary photographers and image makers of every level by fostering a space to learn, network, create, and engage in socially conscious dialogue through its free exhibitions and programs, fine art printing, artist residencies, youth education, and adult classes. www.vinegarhillmagazine.com

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Growing Food In Your Own Backyard: Exploring the Meaning of Food Justice in Charlottesville

BY BY CHANNING J. MATHEWS

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Vinegar Hill Magazine Winter 2023

As an avid patron of Black food and wine in the greater Charlottesville area, I am always on the hunt for a new spot to highlight and bring more visitors to our Black owned businesses. But last month’s adventure took me on a more deeply rooted journey grounded in the question: “What can food justice look like in Charlottesville?”

This August, I had the privilege of joining youth participants of the “Charlottesville Food Justice Camp” to explore this very question. The 5-day camp offered Black and Brown high school students the chance to explore the meaning of food sovereignty.

Combining historical knowledge with farming science and fun, the program looked to engage the next generation of food activists.

The camp was created by the Charlottesville Community Food Co-op, a group of volunteers hoping to start a community-owned grocery

store that would be owned, operated, and governed by low-wealth residents. “We saw the camp as a way to expose BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color] high school students to issues around food justice/ food access by meeting farmers, chefs, activists, and artists of color working in these spaces. ” notes Lisa Draine, camp organizer.

“This involved teaching the youth how the country’s capitalist system, dominated by big corporations, determines how our food is grown, distributed, and sold. We hoped that

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if young people learned about alternative models of meeting people’s needs, they would see the value of a grocery store that was collectively owned -- and perhaps they would become ambassadors for it in their communities.”

Curious about their experiences, I joined the campers in their visit to the Blackowned Cattle Run Farm to learn about raising livestock. Our visit to Cattle Run Farm underscored the generational nature of farming practices, as co-owner and head of operations, Sarah Morton describes: “We are a third generation Black-owned, woman owned and Veteran-owned farm. And we are raising the 4th generation to do the same.”

Sarah speaks highly of her young niece and nephew who have raised and sold livestock since the age of four. Sarah’s no nonsense attitude speaks to the discipline it takes to run a livestock farm using sustainable practices 10

Vinegar Hill Magazine Winter 2023

such as rotational grazing to maintain the viability of the land.

The ongoing impact of the camp was clear as this year’s iteration of it was peer led by three campers from the previous year–Raelyn Trent, Zaneyah Bryant, and Zeniah Bryant– who stepped in to lead the camp when its previous leaders were unavailable to do so in the second year. As a result of their efforts, 16 youth visited eight different spaces within the week, including four farms and urban gardens. During these visits youth engaged in conversations with local BIPOC food activists to learn more about food justice and its historical roots, such as the ways in which enslaved Africans and Indigenous populations contributed to knowledge of the medicinal and healing properties of local plant life, and the ways that discrimination against farmers of color often bury their contributions to food cultivation.

I had the opportunity to sit down with two of the campers, Charlottesville High School sophomores Jaikeira and Nakeira Washington, who also happen to be identical twins.

for us beyond what’s at the gas station,” Jaikeira notes.

By participating in the camp, both girls emphasized how exposure to farms owned by farmers of color and cultivation of knowledge This was their second year of participation around organic, medicinal, and generational in the camp, and they both emphasized how farming practices shifted their understanding their experiences changed the way they of who could be a farmer. From trying and thought about systems of food access and cooking healthy foods such as okra and fresh insecurity. They voiced the critical need for picked tomatoes, to extracting the healing greater access to healthy foods within lowproperties of lemon balm, and plantago income neighborhoods, which is often limited major, aka “the white man’s footprint”, youth by 1.) long distances/limited transportation learned from farmers who looked like them. options between low income neighborhoods “It’s really important to know that a farmer is and healthy food options (often referred to as not a white man in overalls. It can be anyone,” a food desert) and 2.) a lack of knowledge of Jakeira pointedly states. “You can grow food in how to cultivate your own food, even within your backyard.” Nakeira discussed experience your own backyard. “I just feel like in the Black in terms of thinking critically about what she and Brown community, we are not getting consumes “[The camp] kind of opened up the healthiest choices. Grocery stores are our palate. We are trying new things that not always in our neighborhoods or near our are healthy and taste good. [I learned] It’s so neighborhoods. It’s just not healthy options important to know what you’re eating. If you

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who also happen to be identical twins.

This was their second year of participation in the camp, and they both emphasized how their experiences changed the way they thought about systems of food access and insecurity. They voiced the critical need for greater access to healthy foods within low-income neighborhoods, which is often limited by 1.) long distances/ limited transportation options between low income neighborhoods and healthy food options (often referred to as a food desert) and 2.) a lack of knowledge of how to cultivate your own food, even within your own backyard. “I just feel like in the Black and Brown community, we are not getting the healthiest choices. Grocery stores are not always in our neighborhoods or near our neighborhoods. It’s just not healthy options for us beyond what’s at the gas station,” Jaikeira notes.

discussed experience in terms of thinking critically about what she consumes “[The camp] kind of opened up our palate. We are trying new things that are healthy and taste good. [I learned] It’s so important to know what you’re eating. If you are gonna eat chicken from the grocery store, figure out what’s the [real] size of the chicken breast. Are they really that big, or are we just eating chemicals? It really made me think about, ‘What am I eating?’”

Participants in the food justice camp cultivated a personal toolkit of skills and practices to reconnect with the land and share such knowledge with others, starting with family. “My biggest takeaway is that you want to be able to prepare for the next generation. It’s really important to know how to garden because these [camps] are not gonna be here forever. So it’s really important to go back to these roots and know your culture, who was here first By participating in the camp, both girls and how did they survive and get to this emphasized how exposure to farms owned point. It just really made me think about by farmers of color and cultivation of generations after me and how I want my knowledge around organic, medicinal, and kids to know how to reproduce things.” As generational farming practices shifted their Jaikiera notes, passing on such knowledge understanding of who could be a farmer. is critical to our voices, traditions, and From trying and cooking healthy foods cultural knowledge being preserved such as okra and fresh picked tomatoes, through oral histories, and reclaiming our to extracting the healing properties of contributions to culture within and beyond lemon balm, and plantago major, aka “the Charlottesville. The practice of linking white man’s footprint”, youth learned food with history, access, and equity is a from farmers who looked like them. “It’s practice of returning to the roots of our really important to know that a farmer collective work to build, strengthen and is not a white man in overalls. It can be maintain our communities, often starting anyone,” Jakeira pointedly states. “You at our own dinner tables. can grow food in your backyard.” Nakeira 12

Vinegar Hill Magazine Winter 2023

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Vinegar Hill Magazine Winter 2023

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Vinegar Hill Magazine Winter 2023

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BEACON

New Hill is Building a New Blueprint for Wealth In Charlottesville

BY SARAD DAVENPORT | PHOTOS BY KORI PRICE

In the heart of Charlottesville a entrepreneurial and culinary revolution is brewing, not just to satisfy taste buds and palettes of visitors and Charlottesvilians, but it is also for nourishing the dreams of aspiring Black entrepreneurs. BEACON (Black Entrepreneurial Advancement & Community Opportunity Network) Kitchen, a brainchild of the visionary New Hill Development Corporation, is more than just a place to whip ‘put your foot in that’ dishes; it’s a catalyst for empowerment, community uplift, and a beacon of hope illuminating a brighter future people who are often left on the margins in Charlottesville.

Imagine a shared kitchen space where culinary enthusiasts, passionate bakers, and aspiring chefs can hone their skills, test out their treasured recipes, and connect with potential customers. That’s the essence of BEACON Kitchen, a haven for Black food 18

Vinegar Hill Magazine Winter 2023

entrepreneurs to transform their culinary passions into thriving businesses.

Born from the vision of New Hill Development Corporation, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a more equitable and inclusive community, BEACON Kitchen stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and unwavering support. By providing affordable access to a fully equipped kitchen, mentorships from industry experts, and comprehensive business development training, BEACON Kitchen is meticulously nurturing the next generation of culinary stars.

“BEACON Kitchen is not just about cooking,” says Yolunda Harrell, CEO and Founder of New Hill Development Corporation. “It’s about providing opportunities, mentorship, and a supportive community for Black food entrepreneurs to thrive.”

Yolunda Harrell | Founder and CEO | New Hill Development Corporation & David Givens | Director of BEACON Kitchens

A Haven for Black Food Entrepreneurs BEACON Kitchen is a dream come true for many aspiring Black chefs, bakers, and caterers who have long harbored culinary dreams but lacked the resources or opportunities to pursue them. This shared kitchen space provides them with a professional environment where they can hone their skills, experiment with new recipes, and gain valuable experience in the dynamic food industry.

“BEACON Kitchen has given me the space and support to turn my dreams into reality,” shared Troy Robinson. “I’m learning from experienced mentors, gaining valuable business skills, and connecting with potential customers. I’m so grateful for this opportunity.”

The kitchen’s commercial-grade equipment empowers entrepreneurs to prepare their dishes to the highest standards, ensuring that their culinary creations are ready to be presented to potential customers with confidence and flair. Whether it’s a vibrant catering menu or a line of delectable baked goods, BEACON Kitchen empowers

entrepreneurs to turn their culinary visions into reality, transforming their dreams into tangible culinary masterpieces.

Mentorship and Business Development BEACON Kitchen’s support extends far beyond providing physical space and top-notch equipment. The kitchen’s team of experienced mentors and business development experts offers invaluable guidance and support to aspiring food entrepreneurs, nurturing their culinary talents and business acumen.

“Our mentors are passionate about helping aspiring food entrepreneurs succeed,” explains David Givens, Director of BEACON Kitchens. “They provide hands-on training, share their industry knowledge, and help entrepreneurs develop business plans and marketing strategies.”

David Givens is a passionate mixologist, wine connoisseur, and chef with over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry. He has worked his way up from www.vinegarhillmagazine.com

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washing dishes to becoming Executive Chef and Director of Food and Beverage for both Hilton and Marriott. Givens is currently the Director of BEACON Kitchens, where he is helping Black entrepreneurs turn their culinary dreams into reality. He is a mentor to aspiring chefs and provides them with handson training in culinary techniques, recipe development, and food safety. Givens is also an expert in business development and helps entrepreneurs create and execute strategic plans for their businesses. He is a passionate advocate for the food industry and believes that it has the power to create jobs, revitalize communities, and bring people together.

This comprehensive support system is crucial for helping entrepreneurs navigate the oftendaunting world of starting and running a food business. It empowers them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to overcome challenges, make informed decisions, and increase their chances of success, propelling their culinary dreams to new heights.

Partnering to Nourish the Community BEACON Kitchen’s impact extends beyond its walls, reaching into the wider Charlottesville community. A recent partnership with MACAA, Barrett Early Learning Center, Meals on 20

Vinegar Hill Magazine Winter 2023

Wheels of Charlottesville/Albemarle, and the Boys & Girls Club exemplifies the kitchen’s commitment to serving those in need while simultaneously providing valuable opportunities for its aspiring chefs.

Under this partnership, BEACON Kitchen has begun preparing meals daily for MACAA and Barrett Early Learning Center, Meals on Wheels once per month and Boys & Girls Clubs during the summer months. This initiative not only addresses food insecurity in the community but also creates valuable job opportunities for aspiring chefs, allowing them to gain professional experience and contribute to a worthy cause, making a positive impact on the lives of others.

“We’re proud to partner with these organizations,” says Yolunda Harrell. “It’s a testament to BEACON Kitchen’s commitment to making a positive impact both within the community and for our entrepreneurs.”

Yolunda Harrell is a seasoned business leader with over 24 years of experience in profit management, staff development, customer experience, community engagement, and self-development.

She is the CEO and Founder of New Hill Development Corporation, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a more

equitable and inclusive community.

Harrell has a proven track record of success in developing and executing strategic revenue, marketing, and business strategies. She has overseen renovations and redevelopment projects ranging from $1 million to $10 million.

“BEACON Kitchen has become my second home,” shared Troy Robinson, an entrepreneur at BEACON Kitchen. “I’ve met so many amazing people, learned from their experiences, and formed lasting friendships.

It’s truly a supportive and inspiring environment.”

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Harrell is also a committed community leader. She has volunteered as a GED tutor, facilitated dialogues on race, organized community events, and helped to create a social networking organization for African Americans in Charlottesville.

Harrell is a passionate advocate for entrepreneurship and believes that food has the power to transform lives. She is the driving force behind BEACON Kitchen, a shared kitchen space that provides aspiring Black chefs, bakers, and caterers with the resources and support they need to succeed.

A Community Hub for Culinary Camaraderie BEACON Kitchen is more than just a kitchen; it’s a vibrant community hub where Black food entrepreneurs can connect, share ideas, celebrate each other’s successes, and draw inspiration from one another’s culinary talents.

New Hill just finished the demolition on a new facility off of Carlton Avenue which will house the BEACON program. This facility once served as the warehouse and facility for Kathy’s Produce.

This sense of community is essential for fostering a spirit of resilience and perseverance among aspiring food entrepreneurs. It reminds them that they are not alone in their journey, and that there is a network of support and encouragement ready to help them overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.

Find out more about New Hill and BEACON here: https://www.newhilldev.org

New Hill Board at the new BEACON space.

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Vinegar Hill Magazine Winter 2023

Lee Statue Melted Down into Bars for New Public Art Interview by Sarad Davenport | Photos by Eze Amos After a years-long saga, the removal of Charlottesville’s Robert E. Lee statue has reached a new phase. In 2021, the Charlottesville City Council agreed to donate the statue to the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, which plans to melt it down and create a more inclusive public art piece.

Community leaders like Zyahna Bryant, Wes Bellamy, and Kristin Szakos played a key role in advocating for the statue’s removal. However, the process was not without challenges.

White supremacists and farright extremists descended on Charlottesville in 2017 to protest the removal, and Heather Heyer was tragically killed in the violence.

Despite the obstacles, the statue was removed and the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center took ownership. After a series of court challenges, the center was finally able to melt down the statue into bars. With community input, these bars will be used to create a new public art piece that is more representative of the entire Charlottesville community.

Dr. Andrea Douglas, Executive Director of the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center; and Dr. Jalane Schmidt, Professor of Religious Studies at UVA and Director of the Memory Project at University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of

Democracy, both leaders of the Swords into Plowshares program, are hopeful that the new art piece will be a symbol of healing and unity for the city.

Vinegar Hill Magazine took some time to talk to Andrea about this project. Our conversation is below: Vinegar Hill: Okay, let’s start with a tough one. Why did you do this?

Dr. Andrea Douglas: Because I think it’s necessary. A lot of people think it’s frivolous, but I don’t. These objects are not meant to be in public view.

They were originally meant to sit in cemeteries to honor war dead. But over time, they’ve

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been given a symbolic meaning that is not real. They’re just objects.

These objects bother people, even if they say they don’t. People don’t go to places where they are because they understand what they symbolize. And these places are supposed to be egalitarian, where people can play and congregate and explore their culture. But these objects prevent that. They don’t allow for the free expression of what makes us human.

That’s why we did it. I don’t believe that we should be imbued with an ideology that serves no one except a very small segment of our population.

Vinegar Hill: Okay, so what are the larger implications of American history in this?

What do you hope to achieve with this work?

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Vinegar Hill Magazine Winter 2023

Dr. Andrea Douglas: We’re the only people who have done something like this. Removing these objects from public space is not the end goal.

It’s a way to clear space for us to start thinking differently about American history and our place in it.

This action is a way to spark transformation, a way to say that we want something different and better.

It’s a counter-narrative to the white nationalism that is on the rise in America and around the world.

When these objects were first put into public spaces, it was a time when white people were trying to maintain control and create order. By removing them now, we are saying that we will not be controlled by this ideology any longer. We are creating a new order, one that is more inclusive and just. In short, I hope that this work will help us to create a more perfect union.

Removing these objects from public space is just

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as valid and appropriate as people who are removing certain books from view. We have to counter this activity. These are the spaces where control is being enforced, particularly around public education. Swords Into Plowshares is a public education project as much as anything else. Because if you keep your people uninformed, you’re able to keep them in control.

That’s kind of how I see much of this and what we’re demanding from Charlottesville. We’re making such public statements because we’re saying that those aren’t the values that we hold, that we should be moving beyond that and thinking about how systems are created and supported, and how we can create another belief system that allows us to take care of our people better.

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Vinegar Hill Magazine Winter 2023

Vinegar Hill: So the theme here is about who is human and who has rights, and how this is enforced through symbols?

Dr. Andrea Douglas: Yes, exactly. And this is happening at every level, even in our own community. For example, Paul Goodloe McIntire isn’t just talking about the Confederacy. He’s also talking about culture. He brought artists from New York to our community, who created objects that spoke to a particular sense of American individuality. But at the same time, he was acquiring properties himself that were segregating who had the right to those objects.

Monuments are powerful symbols. They speak to what we value as a society. And when we place a statue in Lee Park, we are sending a message that the Confederacy is something to be celebrated. McIntire was also buying large

plots of land to make parks out of, but he was doing so within the construct of white spaces.

These parks were created in conjunction with the development of white neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Dr. Schmidt and I began our monument tours in order to articulate these kinds of things. We wanted to show people that these monuments are not just historic artifacts. They are being used to create a narrative about who belongs in our community and who doesn’t. Even the aesthetic discourse around these monuments is about human creation. The rituals that were created around these objects, such as school children parading around them and singing songs, were all ways to reinforce these belief systems.

equitable society.

Finally, we are still engaged in a conversation about what it means to be free in America. The history of Jim Crow has not ended, even though we have the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. We are fighting for the right of all people to be treated with dignity and respect.

Vinegar Hill: I think that using America’s own idealism as a framework is a good idea, even though it might not be the highest moral standard. But if we just follow what we said we’d do, we’d probably be fine.

Dr. Andrea Douglas: Yes, I agree. Idealism for a single group doesn’t make it any less idealistic.

It just makes it sinister in its outcomes. That’s

“And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” ­­—Isaiah 2:4 Vinegar Hill: What were some of the challenges you faced along the way to ensuring that your dreams and desires for the Heritage Center were realized?

Dr. Andrea Douglas: One of the biggest challenges was the court case. The plaintiffs filed a series of lawsuits, including FOIA requests and procurement challenges, in an attempt to deter us from achieving our goals.

However, we were determined to see this through to the end.

how it works. You create a set of belief systems, and you hold yourself to those systems. Those people who you believe are outside of those systems become people who you work against.

We’re just saying that we want to broaden those belief systems to include everyone. And you can’t include everyone unless you contend with the notion of public. Public means in every way, outside and inside. It’s not just people; it’s also the spaces that are created for people to occupy.

As we start to think about the possibilities of Another challenge was keeping the community this project, I am just as happy and encouraged engaged in the process. It was difficult to to have detractors participate. We are interested maintain people’s attention during a major in the most democratic process that we can health crisis and when we were also facing other create, because this is antithetical to the way pressing issues, such as education, healthcare, those statues were put in to begin with. One and housing. However, we believe that this rich man, a wealthy philanthropist with a set of issue is just as important as these other issues, ideals that had nothing to do with the general because it is about creating a more just and public, used his money to create a landscape www.vinegarhillmagazine.com

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might it have been that for some folks, in your opinion?

Dr. Andrea Douglas: Those are the hard questions. It’s sort of like when you’ve been holding your breath for so long and you finally get an opportunity to let go. That’s what it felt like for me. We’ve been able to achieve some successes along the way, but this moment meant that we could finally move to a more creative place.

It was also emotional because we’ve been accused of being vindictive, but we’re not.

We’re determined to bring about more humane outcomes. We’re trying to heal a community and allow Charlottesville to contend with itself.

But Charlottesville believes that its healing is to go on with business as usual. It doesn’t want to argue anymore. It doesn’t want to think about equity anymore. It just wants to be able to do its business.

in his own liking. He dropped a lot of money in Charlottesville, and much of how we move around can be attributed to this singular man.

Vinegar Hill: So I hear that the statue melting was an emotional experience. You know, why 28

Vinegar Hill Magazine Winter 2023

But those kinds of questions don’t go away, especially in a community as wealthy as this one, where the disparities are so wide and the cost of living is so high. This is just one step in the road, but it’s a significant step. It’s mind-blowing in a way, especially since we’ve been at it for five years.

Vinegar Hill: Any folks that you think are important who have been important to this process critical to moving this work forward along with Zyahana Bryant?

Dr. Andrea Douglas: Yes, there are many people who have been important to this process and critical to moving this work forward.

Nikuyah Walker because she took the conversation to city council and used her position to push back against some of Charlottesville’s accepted norms. She forced the University of Virginia to negotiate and allowed people to speak in public in ways they had not been allowed to before. Wes Bellamy because if he had not decided to run twice for council, Nikuyah would not have had a partner on that bench. A singular voice would not have been heard in the ways her voice had been heard.

Kristen Szakos and Dr. Jalane Schmidt: They went to the state government and worked on the statute that allowed localities to make these kinds of decisions. This is not just a local step, but a statewide step.

necessary, even when people were saying that the Ku Klux Klan didn’t mean anything and didn’t have any teeth.

Vinegar Hill: What are your hopes that will come out of all of this?

Dr. Andrea Douglas: My hope is that we can articulate in physical form what it means to live in this place, in a way that is open to interpretation and discussion. This was also John McIntire’s hope. The difference is that we are actively working towards a more inclusive and comprehensive description, one that includes the voices and bodies that were previously excluded. I believe that the outcomes of this process will reflect the culture, ideas, and ideals of our time, whether they align with or critique those ideals. This is what I think we are doing, and what I hope for the outcomes to be.

For more information about Swords Into Plowshares visit: https://sipcville.com

The Black Lives Matter activists in the community: They stood up when it was www.vinegarhillmagazine.com

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TRAVEL

Jordan A Land of Enchanting Beauty

by Mikela Franklin

Jordan, what can I say. You were an unexpected beauty in all the ways!

Jordan is at once mythical, ancient, modern, varied and vast in its offerings. It has everything, from Beaches to mountains, to lounges. There’s something for every taste level!

We flew Business class to Amman from Cairo Egypt, via Jordanian Airlines. ($2,000 per person from Muscat.) Our particular airbus was a bit dated, but the food variety made up for it.

Once we arrived we went to our hotel, ‘W’ Amman. (Starting at $450 per night for the suites.).

Every W hotel has specific cultural details and this one was 32

no different. Beautiful pink, red and gold gilded walls were the staple of every corner of the hotel. It was giving Aladdin’s lair after his first wish. (IYKYK) We were able to stay in the Marvelous suite which was topped with a panoramic view displaying all of the city.

Couple of quick tips: if you plan on visiting several popular tour spots like Petra, Wadi Rum, DEFINITELY buy the Jordanian Pass. You can get at customs.

Trust me on this one, you will save a ton as each entry point rubs about 40 to 60 JOD which is 55 to 80 bucks. The passage is about $113 and can be purchased online. The three different options cater to your specific stay.

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PETRA TREASURY The first tour was the Petra Treasure and Wadi Rum. From Amman, the drive to Petra was about two hours. It was a very scenic drive. Jordan is a beautiful country with rolling hills, big skies. However, unlike its GCC cousins, they legit have actual winter there.

When we arrived it was COLDdddddddddd. If you are going in November to Jan, bring an overcoat, boots and scarf.

Once we arrived to Petra there’s a bit of a walk until you get to the main area. The walk is lovely and our tour guide Ahmed was fun and knowledgeable. (Tour guide $1,400. ) The walk is about 1 Km. Not bad but good

to know in case of disability and limited mobility. The great thing is that there are shuttles going back and forth and you can just pay for a round trip or one way ticket. But they are a bit costly at 25 USD to 40 USD. We opted to walk and glad we did as we found quite a few photo shoots for the gram.

The ground area is complete and utter chaos. There’s hagglers and people coming at you at every second trying to get you to ride a camel and also take you up to the main viewpoints. The view point is the money shot you typically see on Instagram. All the shots look so serene and tranquil. In reality you are fighting for your life to get a mini photo shoot in while 10 other people stare at you, and guides are constantly

yelling at you to hurry up.

However if you are as great as ignoring white noise as we are, you can focus and get some really amazing shots.

The vibe itself was chilled, with reggae music playing and karak tea available. So typically a guide, which is basically a young boy between the ages 8 to 15, harasses you until you negotiate a rate to take you up the hill to the view and take your pictures.

Once on the ground of course, we had to get a few pics with some camels. As always with most things you have to negotiate. For one camel shoot, you shouldn’t pay more than 3 to 5 JOD for one person.

WADI RUM Our next stop was Wadi Rum for dune bashing and desert tour. We had an absolute blast here. To be honest, I think I preferred Wadi Rum much more than Petra. Mainly because the

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street, located at the Luxury Vista shopping mall. This is home to major Swiss Luxury brands such as Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Omega, Blancpain, and lots more.

For more luxe shopping, visit the Galleria Mall or TaJ lifestyle center.

Transportation wise, we just Ubered from there to our hotel. Uber is dirt cheap. Our ride was only a few bucks, (I think $1.75) for a 15 min ride.

DEAD SEA The next day we decided on the Dead sea. For this we opted on skipping a tour guide and did the logistics ourselves. We did the math and realized that it would be cheaper and simpler. Alsoby that point between Egypt, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem, we had tour guide fatigue and just felt like not being restricted to a schedule.

vibe is much more relaxed and the guides aren’t all jumping in your face. At the bottom of one of the dunes, we were able to just sit, eat dates, snacks and have some local tea. Wadi Rumis stunning and seriously looks like it could be Mars. It’s bright red and it goes on for hundreds and hundreds of kilometers. We were also able to visit some of the glamping and “Globe” tent sites. Next visit, those will be a definite must.

We didn’t have another tour scheduled that day, so we opted to do some local sightseeing.

Amman is very modern and has a lot of shopping malls and stores with high end boutiques and dining. Taj Lifestyle Mall was a highlight as it had a large variety of stores to choose from.

For all of you luxury watch aficionados, we decided to visit a few boutiques. We visited the Time Center, Um Athaina branch on Eritrea 34

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We took an Uber to the Dead sea. It was about a 45 minute drive. Once we got there we went to Dead Sea Spa and Resort. It’s a no frills. Cute space. You can also use their services.

Some people opt to do day passes at the nearby hotels. Would suggest the Marriott. Whole the day pass is on the pricier side at about 40 JOD per person, it’s a nice little quick luxury day trip. For us, due to the cold weather, we just wanted to get into the water and go, so we didn’t really want to spend an entire day there. That day it was 70 Fahrenheit and that was the warmest it has been the entire trip as most days the highs were in the 50s.

The Dead Sea is SO much fun. Okay pro tip, don’t shave your legs before you go. Your skin will burn like purgatory. The Dead sea has absolutely no living organisms so you don’t have to worry about anything nipping at your toes.

Also, you can’t sink. Like we tried. The sodium content is so thick it’s impossible. Lots of giggles and laughter were had as many of us had to relearn how to swim as the sheer loss of gravity through everyone’s coordination was off. There’s a bucket where you can go to put on the mud.

Let it stay on for at least 15 mins. Your skin will thank you. My skin felt like absolute butter for days after our trip there.

Nightlife wise, Jordan has much to offer. We visited a popular rooftop bar, District. We dined inside. It’s sexy, dark and has lots of cute dining options. (The sushi was definitely a highlight) Definitely a nice play to go for bae date night vibes. I would love to visit again when it’s warm, soI can take advantage of the rooftop.

Our last day we decided to do a local activity, and do a cooking class. We did our cooking class at Beit Sitti. Beit Sitti is a locally owned company started by three Jordanian sisters.

The Cooking class takes place in their grandmother’s home. (The name Beit Sitti means “My grandmother’s home” in Arabic) The team consists of three sisters and their mother.

For our class, we had Maria and their mother Miss Sherin. Another couple was also there which made a competitive environment with the women against the men, for who can cook the best. (Everyone equally pitched in, which is definitely a win) We cooked Maaloubeh with Chicken, Farmers Salad, Mutabbal and Basbousa. The food was sooo yummy and very healthy.

Jordan is a place I would visit again and again honestly. The people were all gems. Super hospitable and sweet. Passionate about their country, and very welcoming.

Keep up with me! To see more of my travels, come visit me at https://www. youtube.com/@Blackariel31_ and remember to like, comment, and subscribe!

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AResilience Story of and Hope

in the face of

by Marian Dixon | Photos Contributed by Author The following article discusses grief in detail. It may contain information that is triggering or upsetting to some readers. If you are experiencing grief or have experienced grief in the past, please consider your own well-being before reading this article.

This story was published as a part of Charlottesville Inclusive Media’s First Person Charlottesville project.

G

rief is something no one wants to go through, but we all have to face it sooner or later. In my life, I have had a lot of grief.

I have lost my father, mother, all of my brothers, my daughter, and my husband.

Our sixth child, a daughter, died as a baby when she was only four months and three weeks old.

This caused me to go into a very deep depression.

I couldn't do anything for myself, my children, or my husband. I felt like I was in a glass box watching the world go on around me. This went on for a few months. I became like one of my children, with them doing for me. The doctor wanted to put me in the hospital on medication, but my husband said no to that. Our oldest daughter came into the house and said, "Varina is gone, but you still have us." I know, 36

Vinegar Hill Magazine Winter 2023

without a doubt, that God used our six-year-old to bring me back to reality.

Marian Dixion, 80, currently resides at the senior living facility called Timberlake Place on East Market Street. Before her daughter's passing on January 31, 1963, she used to live at 357 12th Street Northwest, which is still standing today. The family then moved to a house located at the bottom of Preston Avenue, opposite Trinity Episcopal Church, which has now been replaced by apartments primarily occupied by University of Virginia students.

Healing Her words seemed to become like a fist in the midst of my stomach, and I began to cry for the first time since Varina had died. Although at the funeral, all through the funeral and burial, I had not cried. Those words caused me to cry for over an hour or three

hours. Grief was eating me up inside and I had no control over it. A few days later, I was back to being a wife, a mother, and a mother to my family.

After that, I lost my mother first, which was hard. But I was much older and could cope with it better. My dad died of cancer a bit later.

Learning to Live with Grief Grief of my husband was easier for me because we talked about it. And I knew what he wanted because of his sickness. Our daughter was the worst of all.

Because in your mind, you expect your child to bury you, not the other way around. I was even mad at God for a while. I had to come to understand that no one has control over how long we live or when we will die. I asked God to forgive me and I thank him for the years we had together.

To those of you who are grieving, try not to think about the bad, but to think about the good times together. Silly things you did will take away the sadness. You will smile again and not cry. Joy will come in a special way that only God can give you.

You will always miss them. But lonely days will pass.

New things will begin to unfold for you. If you did all you could do for them in life, you will have no regrets when they are gone.

Grief is a difficult experience, but it is something that we all have to go through at some point in our lives. It is important to remember that you are not alone and that there are people who can help you through this difficult time. If you are grieving, please reach out to a friend, family member, or counselor for support. ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ If you are experiencing grief, you are not alone.

There is help available.

Call 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a free, confidential 24/7 service that can provide support and resources to people in emotional distress. gender identity.

Marian as a child. Photo submitted by author.

If you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or someone else, please call 911. www.vinegarhillmagazine.com

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IMAGINE YOUR FIRST HOME IMAGINE ALL THE MEMORIES

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