Liam Robinson for Radically Rural
Thursday, September 24, 2020 zooming in from all around the New Hampshire and Massachusetts area Radically Rural 2020 had quite a different feel from other years.
With the ongoing pandemic affecting everyone’s lives in different ways it is more important than ever to ensure our communities are properly connected and self-supporting.
The panelists for this discussion introduced themselves, HB Lozito, Anthony Poore, Jessica Gelter, Rachel Balban, Georgia Cassimatis, Catherine Stewart, and Barba-Schafer Bacon. All acting by bridging their communities through art and local history.
“It is important to know where we come from, and where we find ourselves today” said Jessica Getler, “we first start with acknowledging the native ties to the land we live on today.” Noting how a community cannot begin to grow together if it does not learn and accept its history is important throughout all American communities.
Local history is often not in favor of minority groups and we are beginning to see a rise in preservation of not only history, but culture that bridges communities. HB Lozito discussed the history of a gay-owned inn called Andrews Inn, which was the subject of suspected arson in the early 80’s.
“The history of this inn was almost all but erased” Said HB, discussing how it was a safe, inclusive space for people of all color and sexual identity. 40 years later Lozito had the privilege of hosting a re-opening of the inn after the Bellows Falls historical society officially recognized the inn.
These spaces of inclusivity and expression are vital to any community and should be supported by all walks of life.
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