I am a white woman who has been blogging about race for eight years. It all started out of my pressing need to explore why, ever since I was a child, I cared so much about cross-racial connection, racism and exclusion of black people in “white life.” It was long before I would ever hear […]
The day after Providence saw swarms of people running through its downtown area, breaking windows and looting stores, the streets started to fill up again, but this time, it was with people looking to lend a hand. “The first thing I want to say to you is that I’m still hearing people say this was […]
“The shock of coronavirus has a lot of spiritual potential, leading us to ask, ‘What is real? Why did it happen? Does it matter why it happened? What is the reason for suffering?’” Shana Klinger poignantly stated via Zoom one quarantine afternoon. I asked if she would share a bit of her spiritual journey in […]
The creativity that some are displaying during the pandemic has been impressive. Baking a homemade loaf of bread, learning new languages or taking time to really deal with mental clarity are all up there on what people are doing to stay busy. A lot of people have also gotten creative in tweaking and modifying what […]
Note: This story features details about a physical assault that might be difficult for some readers. Please be advised. “It’s a good way to get to know a place. It’ll be one year here in October, but this is the first chance I’ve had to get out there and do it.” She arrived here for […]
Dear C and Dr. B, With the restriction of the coronavirus lockdown, the only fun thing left for people to do is get out and explore all the parks and conservation lands that have remained open. What I cannot understand is why people leave their garbage all over. The worst part is those dog poop bags. […]
Dear Spyce, My boyfriend and I have differing opinions on many things, which is usually ok, but in current times, it feels like our differing opinions are a matter of life or death! I am a schoolteacher, and have been stuck at home for the last few months in front of a computer, something I’m […]
For much of the country, March 15 marked the official beginning of quarantine. That morning, I took to the woods with two of my good friends. I figured the three of us could manage to spend the day outside together without breaching the recommended distance of 6 feet. Our text thread from the night before […]
On May 30, just hours before Rhode Island enters Phase 2 of the governor’s reopening plans, Rhode Islanders Against Excessive Quarantine will hold a rally outside the State House protesting the shutdown. In anticipation of the event, Motif spoke with Jim Reaper, the cloaked specter often found circling these protest events, holding a sign that […]
There was a plan. When I started writing this column, it was Labor Day. The weekend when Providence comes back to life with students and people who, for whatever reason, vacate the city during the summer. I told my editor that I would write about Providence until summer, and then I would tell stories about […]