Read on Twitter
A panel discussing, ‘We Are Here’, a book written by people who& #39;ve experienced homelessness. Former @BigIssue deputy editor, @MegMundell, with @clairegcoleman + @rachelkurzyp, discuss the book, place and belonging with @Hwtippet #W4W2019 #FestivalsRoadTrip @WordforWordFest
On creating the book, @MegMundell: “I really thought, ‘the world needs this book.& #39; There’s so much incredible talent and so many diverse voices in the population of people who have been homeless - I get so angry when I see the stigma and stereotypes. #W4W2019 @WordforWordFest
You shouldn’t really do things out of anger, but part of the reason for the project is that I get really angry when I encounter nonsense assumptions and people writing people off, like they’ve got nothing to offer. It was like a “we’ll show you” moment. - @MegMundell #W4W2019
The collection is so strong. I felt grateful to be a part of it and finally have a collection of stories so I don’t have to answer for everyone. We’re left to educate, which can recreate trauma - so now I can just say “read this”. It’s a freeing experience. @rachelkurzyp #W4W2019
It’s important for reporters who have the privilege to tell the stories of people experiencing homelessness, so they don’t get lost, but also, nobody can tell another person’s story as well as that person can. - @clairegcoleman #W4W2019
I’ve taught writing workshops at max security prisons, and every one of them said that having written down how they felt about what was happening even just that day, everything felt a little bit less overwhelming just by writing it down. - @clairegcoleman #W4W2019
We forget the emotional catharsis of telling a story - a story has less power over of you once you share it with someone else, even if that someone just a piece of paper. - @clairegcoleman #W4W2019
"Stories are how we make sense of the world. Stories about our lives help us make sense of our lives. That was an outcome I didn’t aim for with this project, but I really learnt about the therapeutic power of telling stories." - @MegMundell #W4W2019
The panel talks about cities taking an ‘out of sight out of mind’ approach during big events like the tennis and the Sydney Olympics, because the cities didn’t want to be embarrassed with the homeless people in the streets. #W4W2019
. @clairegcoleman: For Aboriginal people, there’s technically only one home for me - my country. The idea of home, place and belonging is extremely complicated for me + people from my ancestral home, in the place that was stolen in the apocalyptic events of colonialism. #W4W2019
The panel was really wonderful and the stories shared are super powerful. The book is going to be amazing, I can& #39;t wait to read it!! @WordforWordFest #W4W2019 #FestivalsRoadTrip @MegMundell @clairegcoleman @rachelkurzyp @Hwtippet
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Red heart" aria-label="Emoji: Red heart">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📚" title="Books" aria-label="Emoji: Books"> https://affirmpress.com.au/publishing/we-are-here/">https://affirmpress.com.au/publishin...
