This wave of resistance reminds me of Berkeley back in the day…and it’s different, too. People of all ages and cultures are now practicing politics with large doses of joy, real solidarity, mutual aid and wonderful art, along with hard-assed non-violent resistance. We’re resisting at the Super Bowl and in the streets, on picket lines and in court, in boycotts and on ballots – Bad Bunny, Toñita and inflatable frogs, with whistles blowing, videos … Read More
It’s time to get ready for a NO KINGS rally on Saturday, October 18, even if that means really stretch your comfort zone. If the idea of an American king once sounded like hyperbole, Trump’s attacks on L.A., DC, Portland and Chicago have made it very real. “Trump wants to militarize major cities across the U.S. so we get used to the idea of military on the streets before the 2026 elections.” – JB … Read More
These days, when there is always a bit of news to curdle your stomach and break your heart, I am keeping my sanity by talking, and taking action, with other heart-broken folks with stomach aches. On June 14, that action was being the Emcee for Alameda’s NO KINGS rally. Here are some notes I put on 3×5″ cards and stuffed in my pockets before the rally. As it happened, most of the time I … Read More
Thursday, May 1, 2025 (May Day)… …is next major day of protests for a better country. It is a day for all of us to join millions of other people who will cancel everything they can to join fellow citizens in the streets. We will intimidate would-be autocrats with our power, and inspire allies to take larger, riskier actions. I realize that going to a demonstration may feel awkward and scary, especially if you … Read More
Here are more actions you can take now, and people you can appreciate and support: 1. A 60 Year Legacy of Heroes Lateefah Simon is my Representative. She recently succeeded her mentor Barbara Lee, who stepped down after 26 years representing Congressional District 12. Barbara Lee, in turn, was mentored by the great Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman in Congress (1968) and the first woman and African American to seek the nomination … Read More
After many new years of being resolution-free, I’m thinking about changes in my life for the second year in a row. Last year it was “my lazy assumptions of powerlessness;” this year it is my need for community. A lot of my time in 2023 went into working on a new book, which I love dearly, but writing is a solitary pursuit. After turning in a draft manuscript to the publisher yesterday, I plan … Read More
In 2020, the depths of the pandemic, you received a chapter a week of my novel Love Death Circus. Some of you read a few chapters, some of you read more than a few and some of you read the whole book. If you enjoyed any part of it, I am thrilled. One of the main reasons I serialized the book that way was to feel connected to you in a time of deep … Read More
In rehearsal last week, I worked with a brilliant clown on a seemingly simple move — getting her hand “stuck” on a set piece when she tried to step away. “Make sure you do the reaction after the action, not before.” Duh, of course. But it is amazing how many times a clown trip or slap or other moment is ruined because the performer reacts before s/he acts. Read more. … Read More
Dear Friends and Family, We’re deep into the winter holidays, a time when helpful friends and social pundits are warning us to avoid talking about politics or religion or anything else that might devolve into an argument. Good advice, perhaps, but only talking about safe topics is like only eating mashed potatoes – boring and ultimately unhealthy. What if we could have respectful, exciting, joyful conversations about truly gnarly, nasty, stomach-knotting subjects? Read more… … Read More
Dear Friends and Family, A student, I’ll call her Beth, stood facing away from the audience in a theater class I taught last month. She turned, walked downstage and said, “Hello, my name is Beth.” Just that, and my eyes teared up. It was her third try at an exercise I describe in The Secret Life of Clowns. “Let’s start with something basic, the very simplest performance — one human being standing in front … Read More