Interview, Panel

NYC Anarchist Book Fair 2010—Panel: Radical Parenting: Raising Kids and Creating Community

NYC Anarchist Book Fair 2010
Panel: Radical Parenting: Raising Kids and Creating Community
Saturday, April 17
Judson Memorial Church

A discussion of parenting creating community from a radical/activist perspective, including the need for parenting allies, and the importance of diversity to combat mainstream images and values towards parenting. Matt Meyer will discuss the nexus between radical parenting and radical teaching and the ways in which the current trends towards privatized education make it more difficult for parents/guardians to navigate the educational systems. Vikki Law will share stories from her survey of anarchist mamas and discuss concrete examples of how movements, groups and activists can support and have supported the families in their midst. Tomas Moniz will talk about the daily practices of radical parenting and the need for allies. Jennifer Silverman will present on raising kids with special needs in the counterculture.

Matt Meyer has spent over twenty years as a teacher and teacher trainer with the NYC Department of Education, including ten years as the Multicultural Coordinator for NYC’s Alternative High Schools and Programs (chronicled in his 2007 book, Time Is Tight). His nine years as a student of his son, and three years as a student of his daughter, have nevertheless taught him just as much. He is the editor of Let Freedom Ring: A Collection of Documents from the Movements to Free U.S. Political Prisoners.

Vikki Law is a writer, mother, and photographer. Since 2002, she has worked with women incarcerated nationwide to produce Tenacious: Art and Writings from Women in Prison. Her writings have appeared in Hip Mama, off our backs, make/shift magazine and Left Turn. Her new book, Resistance Behind Bars: The Struggles of Incarcerated Women is the culmination of eight years of research, writing and listening to the stories of women incarcerated nationwide.

Tomas Moniz is a writer for and editor of Rad Dad, a zine on radical parenting. It is comprised of writings from everyday parents and is always open to submissions. It won Utne Magazine‘s 2009 independent media award for zine of the year. He is the author of Rad Dad: Dispatches from the Frontiers of Fatherhood.

Jennifer Silverman is a recovering journalist, mama of two rambunctious sons, co-founder of mam*a (a collective of radical mothers) and a co-editor of My Baby Rides the Short Bus: The Unabashedly Human Experience of Raising Kids with Special Needs (PM Press, 2009). Her writing about mothering her son with autism has appeared in Hip Mama, off our backs, and the âzine version of Short Bus, among others. She resides in Queens, NY.

Links:

http://dontleaveyourfriendsbehind.blogspot.com/

Rad Dad Zine

For info about the upcoming 2011 NYC Anarchist Bookfair (9 April) see: www.anarchistbookfair.net

To contact the NYC Anarchist Book Fair organizing collective to volunteer, submit workshop and tabling applications, make a donation, or get more information, email us at info[at]anarchistbookfair[dot]net

More NYC Anarchist Book Fair archives can be found at www.anarchistbookfair.net/archives

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