There are very few humans who don't enjoy music. For most people, it offers relaxation, inspiration, enjoyment and in times of trouble, solace. Leah Abramson is an activist and documentary maker who works with women in prison, fostering their musical expression. In the documentary we're about to play for you, she takes us behind the prison walls to hear some of the music created by the women there.
The Human books project aims to increase understanding between people. It's held at local libraries, where people volunteer to act as books. When you're a book, library-goers can sign you out for 30 minutes. In that time, you tell them about your life, and they can ask any question they want. rabble.ca's Noreen Mae Ritsema volunteered to head down to the Winnipeg library and talk to some of the people participating in the human books project. Here is one of her conversations. Today: Being a disability activist.
You know, it seems that no matter where you go, independent bookstores are struggling. The forces working against them also seem familiar — mega bookstores, online buying, yadda yadda… but in Montreal, a local bookshop has survived the more familiar challenges, and is instead, its looking at a shut-down because it is being overtaken by a sports bar owned by a local developer. rabble.ca's Adam Bemma headed down to the shop to discuss the encroachment of new real estate, zoning laws, and urban planning on neighborhoods in general, and Terry Westcott's bookshop in particular. Here's their interview.