[This proposal was originally submitted in conjunction with another on April 25. The orginal reviewer from the Program Working Group, Bryson Finklea, requested that the two proposals be submitted again but in separate forms.]

“I want freedom, the right to self-expression, everybody’s right to beautiful, radiant things.”
–Emma Goldman

Sometimes, in the furious midst of grassroots organizing, we forget about the very necessity of self-expression, the undeniable need to create, share, and witness “beautiful, radiant things.” Every movement needs its writers and artists to reflect the courageous, life-changing work we do. At the same time, writers and artists in the movement need nurturing and freedom to create this life- and movement-sustaining art.

The writers of Agent 409 propose to organize a 2-hour reading salon & open mic, where we will perform our own work and provide a space for workshop participants and other USSF participants to share their art and writing with the rest of the USSF community.

Why Make Space for Art?
There is a strong need for activists who are writers, or writers who are activists, to have a place to gather and write together. Whether we are queer, transgender, women, people of color, low-income, differently-abled, or youth we all negotiate a system of oppression that teaches us that our voices are not meant to be heard, our stories worthless, and our art is not valuable. When we heed the call of writing, we are not supported by this system that tries to shut down our voices when we seek to tell the truth in brave and creative ways.

And when we heed the call of writing, we are also often not supported by the movements we are working in. Creative writing, like all art, requires solitude as well as sustained and dedicated time where ideas percolate and vision stirs. As activists and organizers, we often feel guilty for the time we take away from our organizing work to spend with our writing. Having a group of like-minded people dedicated to carving out creative space - and acknowledging the critical nature of such a space - is vital in supporting us as writers and as activists.

Agent 409 Reading/Open Mic
We propose that we also organize an evening reading event, where the members of Agent 409 will read our poems and fiction that address issues of occupation and other social-justice topics. That will be followed by an open mic for members of the USSF community to share their own art with the audience. The format of the evening will be an hour of the Agent 409 reading, and an hour of the open mic, with a 5-minute limit per performer. We believe such an evening will build community and will provide inspiration and creative renewal.