A great collection of chapbooks from both indivdual poets and collaborative anthologies, published through the Moonstone Press
Philadelphia Says: Me Too
#MeToo has been used on social media to help demonstrate the widespread prevalence of sexual assault and harassment. Social activist and community organizer Tarana Burke created the phrase “Me Too” on Myspace in 2006 as part of a grassroots campaign to promote “empowerment through empathy” among women of color who have experienced sexual abuse, particularly within underprivileged communities. Burke has said she was inspired to use the phrase after being unable to respond to a 13-year-old girl who confided in her that she had been sexually assaulted. She later wished she had simply told the girl, “me too.”
Burke has said that #MeToo declares sexual violence sufferers aren’t alone and shouldn’t be ashamed. She says sexual violence is usually caused by someone the woman knows, so people should be educated from a young age that they have the right to say no and report predatory behavior. Burke advises men to talk to each other about consent, call out demeaning behavior when they see it, and has stated that this movement has grown to include both men and women of all colors and ages and supports marginalized people in marginalized communities. There have also been movements by men aimed at changing the culture through personal reflection and future action.
https://squareup.com/store/moonstone-arts-center/item/philadelphia-says-metoo-1
Philadelphia Says: Resisting Arrest
Resisting Arrest is a term with different meanings depending on what side of the aisle one stands. For those that are fighting for what they believe in, it means ‘sticking it to the man’. But for some police officers, it’s a cry used to incriminate those that have done nothing wrong. Resisting arrest has become the go-to excuse for officers seen on body cameras and dash cams taking things too far; whether it be beating upon Black teenagers or taking down public figures of color in the streets. Tony Medina refuses to believe the narrative offered by these officers, and so do we. Resisting Arrest is about showing those in power what the term really means, through our words and imagery, and debunking the myth that every black and brown body brutalized by the police did something to deserve such treatment.
This anthology is a collection of poems in protest of the above.
https://squareup.com/store/moonstone-arts-center/item/philadelphia-says-resisting-arrest
A Tribute to Kimmika L.H. Williams-Witherspoon
An associate professor of Urban Theater and Community Engagement at Temple University with multiple degrees and awards to her name, Kimmika has also had 23 of her plays produced. She has served as an inspiring mentor to many young poets throughout the years, and thus we found it necessary to show her our appreciation.
https://squareup.com/store/moonstone-arts-center/item/tribute-to-kimmika-williams-witherspoon
Pictures, Some of Them Moving – By George McDermott
A chapbook full of poems by Mr. McDermott, who was one of our committee’s favorite open chapbook contest submitters for 2017.
https://squareup.com/store/moonstone-arts-center/item/pictures-some-of-them-moving-1
Animal Nocturne – By Liz Chang
Another 2017 open submission that we loved, and knew had to be published for everyone to read.
https://squareup.com/store/moonstone-arts-center/item/animal-nocturne
Redneck With an Arabic Accent – by Aaron Graham
The last but most certainly not least of our 2017 open submission winners, military veteran Aaron Graham captivated us with his poetic storytelling.
https://squareup.com/store/moonstone-arts-center/item/arabic-with-a-redneck-accent-1
Philadelphia Says: Not Our President
Many poets and wordsmiths came together to help make this chapbook possible, but the true inspiration came from Dr. Haki Madhubuti and Professor Lasana D Kazembe for their efforts in putting together an essay collection that led us to curating our own literary resistance.
https://squareup.com/store/moonstone-arts-center/item/not-our-president-chapbook
Remembering Gwendolyn Brooks
In celebration of Gwendolyn Brooks’ centennial, we at Moonstone felt it imperative to remember one of the greatest poets of a generation. Released along with a panel discussion and gathering at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, this chapbook compiles poetry written by those who were deeply influenced and touched by Ms. Brooks as a person and as a writer.
https://squareup.com/store/moonstone-arts-center/item/remembering-gwendolyn-brooks
Home(less)- By Krisann Janowitz
This collection of poems serves as a reminder of how easy it is to fall victim to homelessness and the dehumanizing effects that wear on our homeless populations every day. Set in Philadelphia, Krisann Janowitz and Harvey Finkle