It may feel like Darktober, but December has a multitude of Festivals of Light, illuminating discussions and uplifting music!
Among the things to do in Seattle this month, Deepa Iyer shows us how to eliminate hate crimes, the city celebrates Human Rights Day with local awards and a discussion on Black Lives Matter, and the library hosts a community workshop on healing from historical trauma. In music, DJ Spooky turns his interviews of nuclear survivors into an electronic Peace Symphony, and Balkansky brings their kaval to Seattle on their first world tour.
With Buy Nothing Day behind us, you’ll also find a refreshing array of local crafts and goods, covering quite a range of cultural and international backgrounds. No need to buy cheap imports, when you can get the real thing made right here!
1. Deepa Iyer: Eliminating Hate Crimes in Post-9/11 America
Deepa Iyer focuses on racial injustice, especially as it affects South Asian, Arab, Muslim, and Sikh immigrants in her book We Too Sing America. She dives into the topic of hate crimes, with some great suggestions on making positive change. Read all about it in the Globalist!
More about Deepa Iyer: Eliminating Hate Crimes in Post-9/11 America, Dec. 1 »
2. Peace Symphony by Paul D. Miller (aka DJ Spooky)
Paul D. Miller (musician DJ Spooky) presents his Peace Symphony, inspired by speaking with the Hibakusha, or remaining survivors of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Using their own sampled words and film footage, he sculpts a piece that allows them to tell their own stories.
More about Peace Symphony by Paul D. Miller (aka DJ Spooky), Dec. 4 »
3. Balkansky: Bulgarian Folk, Jazz, Electronica
Combining electronic beats and visuals with traditional Bulgarian kaval (wooden flute), Balkansky gives you a version of the interactive electronic scene that’s never been heard outside of Eastern Europe.
More about Balkansky: Bulgarian Folk, Jazz, Electronica, Dec. 5 »
4. Seattle Human Rights Day Awards: Kimberlé Crenshaw
Join Seattle’s 16th Annual Human Rights Day Celebration with a discussion of Black Lives Matter by critical race theory scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw. Marking the United Nations’ adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on Dec. 10, 1948, Seattle will present its awards in Human Rights efforts.
More about Seattle Human Rights Day with Kimberlé Crenshaw, Dec. 10 »
You can also mark the occasion by meeting Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors Dec. 9, and watching the documentary film, “Selma: The Bridge to the Ballot” Dec. 10.
5. Healing from Historical Trauma
The Seattle Public Library is running a number of great workshops, including this one at the Central Library branch on “Healing from Historical Trauma,” led by Idle No More activist Sweetwater Nannauck. Starting with understanding indigenous people, attendees will learn tools to make personal and community change.
More about Healing from Historical Trauma, Dec. 16 »
You’ll find even more things to do in Seattle this month on The Seattle Globalist events calendar! Have an event to share? Are we missing something dazzling near you? It’s easy to submit your own Globalist event online. Bundle up, and we’ll see you around town, as we share the best of the world, right here at home!
