On March 24th, 2023, the staff and friends of New Mexico's INFLUENCE Magazine gathered at Amaro Winery in Las Cruces to celebrate the release of the latest issue. The event was a huge success, with guests enjoying delicious food and drinks while mingling and networking.
One of the highlights of the evening was an educational presentation by author Martin Kufus, who shared entertaining anecdotes from his new book, "Plow the Book but Watch the Sky." Martin engaged the crowd with stories of his experiences researching and writing his latest work, which is an amalgamation of real-life adventures that he's recorded throughout his interesting career as a journalist, Army veteran, tornado chaser, and security specialist aboard a ship in pirate-infested waters. Throughout the evening, guests were able to pick up copies of the latest issue of New Mexico's INFLUENCE Magazine and meet some of the talented writers and photographers behind the publication. The event was a great opportunity for everyone to connect and celebrate the hard work that goes into producing each issue. We are grateful to everyone who attended and made the evening such a memorable one. Here's to another successful year of New Mexico's INFLUENCE Magazine!
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Happy National Poetry Month! This month-long celebration of poetry brings awareness to the beauty and power of language. As we celebrate, let's not forget to highlight the contributions of poets, among people of color, to the literary world.
From Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou to Joy Harjo and Sherman Alexie, the works of these poets have been instrumental in bringing marginalized perspectives to the forefront. Through their writing, they have shared their experiences and struggles, giving voice to the voiceless and challenging societal norms. Whether you're a seasoned poet or a newbie, there are endless ways to celebrate this month. Read a collection of poems by your favorite poet, attend a virtual poetry reading, or try your hand at writing your own verse. Share your favorite poems and poets on social media and spread the joy of poetry with others. Let's honor the craft and art of poetry this month and beyond. Happy National Poetry Month! #NationalPoetryMonth #PoetryMonth #Poetry #PoetryCommunity #ReadPoetry #WritePoetry #CelebratePoetry Happy National Poetry Month! 🎉 Today we are honoring Joy Harjo, an American poet, musician, and author of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Harjo is the first Native American Poet Laureate of the United States, appointed in 2019 by the Library of Congress. She has published numerous collections of poetry, including "She Had Some Horses," "In Mad Love and War," and "Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings."
In addition to her work as a poet, Harjo is also an accomplished musician and saxophonist. She has released several albums, including "Red Dreams, A Trail Beyond Tears" and "Winding Through the Milky Way." Harjo's work often explores themes of identity, culture, and spirituality, and she is known for blending Native American storytelling with modern poetic techniques. Her contributions to literature have been recognized with many awards, including the Wallace Stevens Award from the Academy of American Poets and the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize. Beyond her artistic achievements, Harjo is also a prominent advocate for Native American rights and environmental justice. She has worked with organizations like Amnesty International and the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation to promote Indigenous voices and preserve Indigenous cultures. Join us in celebrating Joy Harjo and her contributions to American literature and culture! 🎉📚🎶 #NationalPoetryMonth #JoyHarjo #NativeAmericanLiterature #IndigenousVoices #EnvironmentalJustice Today, we'd like to honor Sherman Alexie, a prominent author and poet whose works have given voice to the experiences of Native American people. Alexie's writing is known for its humor, raw honesty, and powerful storytelling.
One of his most well-known works is "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," a semi-autobiographical novel that tells the story of a young Native American boy growing up on a reservation. The book has been widely acclaimed for its poignant portrayal of the challenges and triumphs of Native American youth. Alexie's poetry has also received widespread recognition, with collections like "The Business of Fancydancing" and "Dangerous Astronomy" exploring themes of identity, love, and loss. Through his writing, Sherman Alexie has shed light on the experiences of Native American people and challenged societal norms. Let's honor his contributions to the literary world and celebrate his powerful words this National Poetry Month. New Mexico's INFLUENCE Magazine celebrates the contributions, achievements, and legacies of women everywhere, particularly right here in the United States! Happy Women's History Month!
*** About Women's History Month: Women's History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. It is celebrated during March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, corresponding with International Women's Day on March 8, and during October in Canada, corresponding with the celebration of Persons Day on October 18. The commemoration began in 1978 as "Women's History day" in Sonoma County, California, and was championed by Gerda Lerner and the National Women's History Alliance to be recognized as a national week (1980) and then month (1987) in the United States, spreading internationally after that. Dear friends, we're excited to announce that our first issue for 2023 will be hitting the shelves, the post, and the internet soon. Stay tuned, subscribe, and follow to be the first to be informed!
Dear friends - we're pleased to release the first episode of our new second season. Enjoy, or click on the link below to view! youtu.be/XATJmOvqGas
Black History Month: A Review of What it is Today
When first established, Black History Month resulted in some controversy. Those who believed that Black History Month was limited to educational institutions questioned whether it was appropriate to confine the celebration of Black history to one month, as opposed to the integration of black history into mainstream education for the whole of the year. Another concern was that contrary to the original inspiration for Black History Month, which was a desire to redress the manner in which American schools failed to represent Black historical figures as anything other than slaves or colonial subjects, Black History Month could reduce complex historical figures to overly simplified objects of "hero worship". Other critics refer to the celebration as a form of racism. Actor and director Morgan Freeman and actress Stacey Dash have criticized the concept of declaring only one month as Black History Month. Freeman noted, "I don't want a Black history month. Black history is American history." Since its inception, Black History Month has expanded beyond its initial acceptance in educational establishments. Carter Woodson's organization, now known as, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) designates a theme each year: for example, "Black Health and Wellness" in 2022 focused on medical scholars, health care providers, and health outcomes. In 2018, Instagram created its first-ever Black History Month program with the help of its then Head of Global Music & Youth Culture Communications, SHAVONE. Instagram's Black History Month program featured a series of first-time initiatives, including a #BlackGirlMagic partnership with Spotify and the launch of the #CelebrateBlackCreatives program, which reached more than 19 million followers. By 2020, Black History Month had become a focus beyond schools. The Wall Street Journal describes it as "a time when the culture and contributions of African Americans take center stage" in a variety of cultural institutions including theaters, libraries, and museums. It has also garnered attention from the U.S. business community. In February 2020 Forbes noted that "much of corporate America is commemorating" Black History Month including The Coca-Cola Company, Google, Target Corporation, Macy's, United Parcel Service, and Under Armour. |
AuthorMeike Schwarz and the Editorial team at New Mexico's INFLUENCE Magazine Archives
March 2023
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