A Clever Life Nov. 2021 : simplebooklet.com

All of us at CLEVER want to say thankyou to our supporters and attendees forbraving the cold and celebrating with usat Davesté Vineyards. We couldn't havedone it without our amazing volunteersand their tireless help, making ourfundraiser a success. For our very firstevent, it warmed our hearts to see ourcommunity coming together to make theday a little brighter! We had an amazing time getting to knownew friends and spend time with old,drinking wine and shopping. A favoritebuy from the night turned out to be thehand-painted rocks crafted by theCLEVER Youth group. With the CLEVER Business Closetofficially open, appointment slots arenow available. For more info, please emailus at information@cleverasone.org.Keep an eye out for future opportunitiesto join us and we look forward to seeingyou all again soon!G R A N D O P E N I N GG R A N D O P E N I N G E X T R A V A G A N Z AE X T R A V A G A N Z AC L E V E R C L O S E TC L E V E R C L O S E T

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Each month A CLEVER Life will showcase one of ouramazing Board Members, so you can get to know us on amore personal level. Last month, we heard from LizGoodman, Vice-Chair. This month, we celebrate StephanieKline, C.L.E.V.E.R.’s founder and Executive Director."The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe placewhere we can go as we are and not be questioned.”― Maya Angelou, All God's Children NeedTraveling Shoes Safety is something I strive to create the feeling of ineverything I do with CLEVER. From our youthgroup to safe spaces to express emotions, thoughts,and reflections, CLEVER will never stray fromcreating that "home" for everyone we come intocontact with. We are not just an organization, we area family, and that is so strong. I created CLEVER because I wanted to really reachthe core of what our LGBTQ community needs themost. I incorporated the Arts into it because art is ineverything that we do, everyday. It is an expression ofmore than just pretty colors or extensive pros, it'semotions brought forward to show the world howwe feel, how we think, and how society as a wholeaffects people on different levels. I hope that as time goes by, we are able to create aworld of support, education, love, and emotion fromthe programs and outreach that CLEVER hasplanned. We are determined to reach people fromone coast to the other, because I believe that thereare so many people left behind. With the help of other organizations across thecountry, I want youth and adults to be seen andheard, and to know that they will always find a homewith CLEVER and the beautiful humans that helpevery step of the way. I hope to see you at one of our events soon, Stephanie KlineExecutive Director/Founder04November 2021MEET THEFOUNDERSTEPHANIE KLINESTEPHANIE KLINE

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06November 2021MOVIE OF THE MONTHPhoto via Google ImagesIn honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance, A CLEVER Life Magazine’s movie of the month is Paris IsBurning, the iconic documentary on the NYC ball scene of the 80s. And just to be clear, when I say “ballscene,” I’m not talking ballroom dancing; I’m talking voguing, throwing shade, legendary houses— I’mtalking drag. Long before vehicles like RuPaul’s Drag Race brought the artform into mainstream consciousness,filmmaker Jennie Livingston spent six years documenting a gay subculture of predominately Latinx andBlack members of the LGBTQ+ community who turned to competitive balls in a defiant move to thrive ina world that didn’t even care if they survived. They were living through the AIDS crisis, homelessness,transphobia, homophobia, poverty, racism. And balls served to provide a temporary escape viaperformance, with categories ranging from macho stereotypes to the ultra feminine. There were alsocategories like Executive Realness, and Town and Country, performances of not only gender but of class.Gender norms were both fetishized and deconstructed, wealth was mocked as it was aspired to; the ballswere a place where you could be what “polite society” said you weren’t.Despite being rated R – and this might be a good time to provide content warnings for described violence,sex & nudity, and alcohol & drug use – in 2017 Paris Is Burning was listed in The New York Times as oneof “12 Films to See Before You Turn 13” in a print-only section for children. According to the writer of thepiece, Wesley Morris, "seeing [Livingston's] documentary as soon as possible means you can spend the restof your life having its sense of humanity amuse, surprise, and devastate you, over and over."The film is a fascinating lens through which to contemplate the real-world effects of media and just whoexactly society is built for. If you’re ready for such amusement, surprise, and devastation, you can currentlystream Paris Is Burning on The Criterion Channel or for $3.99 on Apple TV. By: Carly Maria Hubbard

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The founder and CEO, Stephanie Kline birthed C.L.E.V.E.R. in its infancy, years ago when shebecame frustrated with the lack of outlets to assist and help in the areas of social justice andcommunity growth that she was most passionate about. C.L.E.V.E.R., since its inception, has been bold in it's roots. We don't care about mixingmessages, or branding. We care about helping in the areas we know the best. Therefore,CLEVER's three main pillars will not forever be just Youth LGBTQIA+ , and Youth in the Arts,but will also expand as we reach others, and others reach us. The world is hurting, and hate istoo bountiful to ignore. C.L.E.V.E.R. hopes to give some love, send it out, and watch it flourishand grow, all while educating anyone we can.Though most of the current projects are focused within North Carolina at the moment,C.L.E.V.E.R. looks to expand and partner with communities and organizations across the UnitedStates and beyond. The more we reach, the more we can help. C.L.E.V.E.R.'s mission is to create anequitable societythrough two pillars: LGBTQIA+Advocacy, and Youth in Arts.WHAT ISC.L.E.V.E.R.?08November 2021Our current projects are helping us to dust off our shoulders aftera long hibernation from COVID. While the pandemic continuesto change the way we reach people, we cannot let it stop us fromdoing so any longer. So, we're getting creative. Though the enormous CLEVER Con that we had planned forOctober was canceled for this year, we still have to reach ourfundraising goals. In order to give our next year projects thefoundation they need, our fundraising goal for 2021 is $10,000!

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Each year on the 20th of November, we observe Transgender Day of Remembrance. This annualmemorial was started in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith to honor Rita Hester, a transwoman whowas killed the year before. Twenty-two years later, and we still set aside this day to remember allthose lost to anti-trans violence in the year since our last Day of Remembrance. TDOR.info tells us, "The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raisespublic awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn’tperform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisterswho might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our peoplein the face of national indifference and hatred. TDOR reminds cisgender people that we are theirsons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers, and gives allies a chance to step forward with us andstand in vigil, memorializing those of us who’ve died by anti-transgender violence."2021 has been the most violent year for the trans community since the FBI began tracking anti-trans hate crimes in 2009 with the passing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Hate CrimesPrevention Act. There have been at least 45 trans or gender non-conforming people killed in anti-trans acts of violence this year. It’s hard to have an exact number as a lot of people aremisgendered or dead-named by the media and police when their deaths are reported. To honor those taken from us this past year, we say their names inremembrance. This list is likely incomplete as it only includes cases officiallyruled homicide, not the many trans victims whose deaths remain unsolved,to say nothing of the untold number of those publicly dead-named; we knowthose individuals are remembered somewhere as well. 11November 2021

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12November 2021Tyianna Alexander, who was also known as Davarea Alexander, wasa 28-year-old Black trans woman. Tyianna was shot to death inChicago on January 6. Samuel Edmund Damián Valentín, a transgender man, was killed onJanuary 9 in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. Bianca “Muffin” Bankz, a Black transgender woman, was shot todeath in Atlanta, Ga. on January 17. Dominique Jackson, a Black transgender woman, was shot to deathin Jackson, Miss. on January 25. Fifty Bandz, a 21-year-old Black transgender woman, was shot todeath in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on January 28. Alexus Braxton, also known as Kimmy Icon Braxton, a 45-year-oldBlack trans woman, was killed on Feb. 4 in Miami. Chyna Carrillo, who also went by Chyna Cardenas, was killed in themorning hours of February 18, 2021, in New Wilmington, PA. Siblings Jeffrey “JJ” Bright, a 16-year-old trans boy, and JasmineCannady, a 22-year-old non-binary person, both from Ambridge,Pennsylvania, were killed on February 22. Jenna Franks, a 34-year-old white transgender woman, was killed inJacksonville, North Carolina in February. Diamond Kyree Sanders, a 23-year-old Black transgender woman,was shot to death in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 3. Rayanna Pardo, a 26-year-old Latina trans woman, was killed onMarch 17 in Los Angeles. Jaida Peterson, a 29-year-old Black trans woman, was killed on April4 in Charlotte, N.C. Rikkey Outumuro, a.k.a. Tru Starlet, was a 39-year-old Latinatransgender woman who was fatally shot in Centralia, WA. on thenight of October 30 or the morning of October 31, 2021. Marquiisha Lawrence, a 28-year-old Black trans woman was fatallyshot in South Carolina on Nov. 4, 2021.To honor those who have been lost, consider helping out local LGBTQ+ organizations, vote forpoliticians who are trans allies, and stand up against violence and bullying when you see it happening. The following list was compiled by the Human Rights Campaign:

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Rayanna Pardo, a 26-year-old Latina trans woman, was killed onMarch 17 in Los Angeles. Jaida Peterson, a 29-year-old Black trans woman, was killed on April4 in Charlotte, N.C. Dominique Lucious, a 26-year-old Black transgender woman, wasshot and killed on April 8 in Springfield, Missouri. Remy Fennell, a Black transgender woman in her 20s, was shot todeath on April 15 in Charlotte, N.C. Tiara Banks, a 24-year-old Black transgender woman, was killed inChicago, Illinois on April 21, 2021. Natalia Smut, a 24-year-old Black and Puerto Rican transgenderwoman, was killed on April 23 in Milpitas, California. Iris Santos, a 22-year-old Latinx transgender woman, was killed inHouston, Texas on April 23, 2021. Tiffany Thomas, a 38-year-old Black transgender woman, was killedon April 24 in Dallas, Texas. Keri Washington, a 49-year-old Black transgender woman, waskilled on May 1 in Clearwater, Florida. Jahaira DeAlto, a 42-year-old transgender woman, was killed on May2 in Boston, Mass. Whispering Wind Bear Spirit, a 41-year-old Indigenous non-binaryperson, was shot in York, Pennsylvania on May 3 and died early onMay 4. Sophie Vásquez, a 36-year-old Latina transgender woman, was shotand killed in Georgia on May 4. Danika “Danny” Henson, who also went by Pryynce Daniel and NiiaDa Don on Facebook, a 31-year-old Black transgender woman, wasshot and killed in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 4. Serenity Hollis, a 24-year-old Black transgender woman, was shotand killed in Albany, Georgia, on May 8. Oliver “Ollie” Taylor, a 17-year-old white trans boy, died on May 19after being kidnapped and shot on May 12 in Gervais, Oregon. Thomas Hardin, a 35-year-old Black transgender woman, was killedon May 2 in York, South Carolina.

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Poe Black, who also went by Oliver Jackson and Legion, was a 21-year-old transgender man who was killed in Niland, California in anarea called Slab City, in early May. EJ Boykin, who also went by Novaa Watson, was killed in Lynchburg,Virginia on June 14. Aidelen Evans, a 24-year-old Black transgender woman, was founddead in March in Port Arthur, Texas. Taya Ashton, a 20-year-old Black trans woman, was killed inSuitland, Prince George’s County, Maryland on July 17. Shai Vanderpump, a 23-year-old Black trans woman, was killed inTrenton, New Jersey, on July 30. Tierramarie Lewis, a 36-year-old Black transgender woman, waskilled in Cleveland, Ohio on June 12. Miss CoCo, a 44-year-old trans woman of color, was killed in Dallas,Texas on August 7, 2021. Pooh Johnson, a 25- year-old Black trans woman, was killed inShreveport, Louisiana on August 23, 2021. Disaya Monaee, a 32-year-old Black transgender woman, was fatallyshot in Chicago, Illinois on September 6. Briana Hamilton was a 25-year-old Black transgender woman whowas fatally shot in Chicago, Illinois. Kiér Laprí Kartier, a 21-year-old Black transgender woman, wasfatally shot in Arlington, Texas on Sept. 30, 2021. Mel Groves, a 25-year-old Black trans man, was fatally shot on Oct. 11,2021 in Jackson, Miss. Royal Poetical Starz, a 26-year-old Black trans woman, was fatallyshot in Miami Gardens, Florida on Oct. 2. Zoella “Zoey” Rose Martinez, a 20-year-old Latina trans woman, wasfatally shot in Maple Valley, Washington back on Aug. 31, 2021. Jo Acker, a white 26-year-old transgender woman, was killed inBoise, Idaho on October 26, 2021. Jessi Hart, a white 42-year-old transgender woman, was killed inBanks, Oregon.

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What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significantWhat started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significantcontributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a wholecontributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a wholemonth being designated for that purpose.month being designated for that purpose. One of the very proponents of an American Indian Day was Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, whoOne of the very proponents of an American Indian Day was Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, whowas the director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, N.Y. He persuaded the Boy Scouts ofwas the director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, N.Y. He persuaded the Boy Scouts ofAmerica to set aside a day for the “First Americans” and for three years they adopted such a day. In 1915, theAmerica to set aside a day for the “First Americans” and for three years they adopted such a day. In 1915, theannual Congress of the American Indian Association meeting in Lawrence, Kans., formally approved a planannual Congress of the American Indian Association meeting in Lawrence, Kans., formally approved a planconcerning American Indian Day. It directed its president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe, to callconcerning American Indian Day. It directed its president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe, to callupon the country to observe such a day. Coolidge issued a proclamation on Sept. 28, 1915, which declaredupon the country to observe such a day. Coolidge issued a proclamation on Sept. 28, 1915, which declaredthe second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day and contained the first formal appeal forthe second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day and contained the first formal appeal forrecognition of Indians as citizens.recognition of Indians as citizens. The year before this proclamation was issued, Red Fox James, a Blackfoot Indian, rode horseback fromThe year before this proclamation was issued, Red Fox James, a Blackfoot Indian, rode horseback fromstate to state seeking approval for a day to honor Indians. On December 14, 1915, he presented thestate to state seeking approval for a day to honor Indians. On December 14, 1915, he presented theendorsements of 24 state governments at the White House. There is no record, however, of such a nationalendorsements of 24 state governments at the White House. There is no record, however, of such a nationalday being proclaimed.day being proclaimed. The first American Indian Day in a state was declared on the second Saturday in May 1916 by the governorThe first American Indian Day in a state was declared on the second Saturday in May 1916 by the governorof New York. Several states celebrate the fourth Friday in September. In Illinois, for example, legislatorsof New York. Several states celebrate the fourth Friday in September. In Illinois, for example, legislatorsenacted such a day in 1919. Presently, several states have designated Columbus Day as Native American Day,enacted such a day in 1919. Presently, several states have designated Columbus Day as Native American Day,but it continues to be a day we observe without any recognition as a national legal holiday.but it continues to be a day we observe without any recognition as a national legal holiday. In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “NationalIn 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “NationalAmerican Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including “NativeAmerican Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including “NativeAmerican Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”) haveAmerican Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”) havebeen issued each year since 1994.been issued each year since 1994.16 November 2021N A T I V E A M E R I C A NN A T I V E A M E R I C A NInformation Taken Fromnativeamericanheritagemonth.govWhat started at the turn ofWhat started at the turn ofthe century as an effort tothe century as an effort togain a day of recognition forgain a day of recognition forthe significant contributionsthe significant contributionsthe first Americans made tothe first Americans made tothe establishment and growththe establishment and growthof the U.S., has resulted in aof the U.S., has resulted in awhole month beingwhole month beingdesignated for that purpose.designated for that purpose.

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But here’s the thing, not everybody has that onefriend. According to a recent study by UC DavisSchool of Medicine, suicide is the second leadingcause of death among people ages 10-24 and hasbeen increasing every year since 2007. And withthe last year and a half spent in a pandemic,isolation and distancing has only made thingsworse. That being said, it’s been a tough week inour local community. All of us at CLEVER arecompletely devastated after hearing about the lossof a high school student on Wednesday morning.Our hearts go out to their family and community,and we hope to offer any comfort or consolationin this tremendously difficult time. CLEVER isactively working to aid anyone and everyone whofeels those dark thoughts or feelings of isolation,because all of us know that pain personally and noone deserves to feel alone. 19November 2021mental health mattersBy Emily Candelario-Rosa(Content warning: This article includes references to recent localnews, self-harm and suicide.)Since embarking on my own journey with mymental health, can you guess what the hardestlesson I’ve learned is? Asking for help. It sounds sosimple- you probably do it everyday in one way oranother. From the “Mom, could you grab me aPoptart from that high shelf?” to the “hi friend,could you let me rant for like, 5 seconds?” askingfor help seems almost unimportantly fundamentalin our day-to-day lives. So answer me this- why isit so hard to ask for help when our mental statebecomes our biggest enemy? If you discover theanswer to that question, please let me know...But the question remains, what are you supposedto do when those intrusive thoughts are telling youone thing and everything else says another? When Iwas in high school with almost no tools of how toask for help, I decided to self-harm. I knew noother way to deal with the emotions and thoughtsand had no knowledge to guide me differently. AsI continued down that path, that was littered withgood grades and great friends, my dark thoughtsslowly poisoned the future ahead of me. Ifrequently contemplated what the world would belike if I was no longer a resident of it... Long storyshort, my friend reached out to help when Icouldn’t fathom how to ask for it and I was able toget the assistance I needed.

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Aside from talking to us at CLEVER, there’soptions out there- ones I could’ve only dreamed ofin high school. The Trevor Project, It Gets BetterProject, SPRC, Project Semicolon, among so manyothers, are there to hear you and validate yourfeelings, plus they have the tools to help. Even whenphysically saying the words is hard, there’s anumber you can text (Text HOME To 741741). Butthe first step is hard. Reaching out can even be thesmallest thing. Perhaps it’s asking a close friend fora little reassurance or asking for a little grace fromyour family. For those who may notice a friendthat’s struggling, it’s never a wrong time to reachout. Because more often than not, it’s a lot easier totake a hand that’s extended than to ask for a hand. Let me leave you with a quote from one of myfavorite authors, Neil Gaiman. “When we hold eachother, in the darkness, it doesn't make the darknessgo away. The bad things are still out there. Thenightmares are still walking. When we hold eachother we feel not safe, but better… For just amoment or two the darkness doesn't seem so bad.” Life is hard and I believe in you. Love, 20November 2021mental health mattersEM

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23November 2021much better that my body matches my mind, but I still express and present myself in the same manner. "There’s been a lot of talk in the news recently about the negative effects Facebook and Instagram canhave, on teenage girls especially. I'm wondering if you can speak to your own personal experience withsocial media?“Social media has shown to have positive effects in creating social change, but there are certainly pitfalls.People often present the most idealistic version of their life when they take pictures at certain angles andpost about all of the good things going on in their lives. The reality is that we all face difficulties, and it’simportant to remember that when you’re on social media. For me personally, I try to limit my time onsocial media because I believe it sucks you into this artificial world, but I have seen many powerfulmessages spread on social media that have created entire movements..”You've famously said that you always knew you were a girleven as a little kid-- in what ways has your understandingof your gender expression deepened since going throughyour teen years and having gender confirmation surgery. "Growing older has certainly taught me new lessonsabout gender expression. When I was little, I dressed verystereotypical girly, girly, but with age I grew into my ownsense of expression and realized that we all have differentoutward appearances, but it doesn’t necessarily mean I’many less of a woman because I’m not into fashion and Idon’t usually wear makeup. With the surgery, I feel so

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24November 2021Your visibility and good works have been so inspiringand impactful for the Queer community-- what aresome things you do just for yourself, to take care of you?“I make sure I get my “Jazz Time”. I play with my cats. Ilove those fur balls. Massages are also very beneficial.Pickle ball is my new favorite sport that helps me getsome well needed exercise. It also helps because I lovegoing out for nice meals, especially with my mom. Weare both foodies, so that’s kind of our thing.” Being an organization heavily invested in literacyfor all and youth in film, I gotta ask: what have youbeen reading and watching lately? Anything you'drecommend to our readers? “I love watching so many shows. It’s hard to pick.I’m especially fond of anime, and I never miss anepisode of, “RuPaul’s Drag Race”. The book I’vebeen reading is called a Court of Thorns and Roses.It’s a fantasy series that was recommended to me bya friend, and I’ve been enjoying it.” Shantell Martin's "The May Room" on Governor's Island, NYCFar beyond social media, you've lived most of your lifein the public eye. Could you share what that's been likefor you and your family?"It’s been challenging growing up in the public eye.Being transgender is hard enough, but being the 'transgirl on TV' definitely altered the course of my life, but Iwouldn’t change a thing. I grew up with specialcircumstances, and it’s made me the resilient person Iam today. Overall, I would say the family does have asolid of amount of privacy in their lives, including me."

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26November 2021You recently turned 21, Happy Belated Birthday! Howhave you been adjusting to adult life over the past fewyears?“Thanks for the birthday wishes, but honestly, it’s beenhard! I still feel like a child on the inside, so whenpeople say I’m 21, I can’t even believe it. It feels likeyesterday I was that 6 year old little girl sitting on thecouch with Barbara Walters declaring my identity tothe world.” Looking forward, what's most exciting to you thesedays?“I’m excited for a lot of things. Most of all, I want toexpress myself in artistic ways. I love to draw and writepoetry, so I want to spend more time doing those thingsthat provide me with peace and calm. ” Thank you, Jazz, for speaking with us! If you enjoyed thisinterview, please consider following this incrediblehuman on social media. Look forward to more amazinginterviews in future issues of "A Clever Life".I Am Jazz returns for season 7 on November 30th, howexciting! The world has obviously changed a whole lotsince last season-- how has the pandemic affected youand your family? How did it feel to get back to filming?“We’re all super close in my family, so living under oneroof was manageable for us. We love spending timetogether, and it offered a great way for us to watchmovies, play games, eat meals, and just hang outtogether in quarantine. I was happy to begin filmingagain. I enjoy the process and love our crew, who Imissed dearly. ”

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JAZ Z J ENNINGSJAZ Z J ENNINGSPOETRY BYPOETRY BY“She Was Beautifully Broken”“She Was Beautifully Broken”She was beautifully broken.She was beautifully broken.Tiny cracks became massive fissures,Tiny cracks became massive fissures, But nothing could break her shiningBut nothing could break her shiningsmile.smile.So ripped and battered by the harshSo ripped and battered by the harshelements of life,elements of life,Yet she was a Human Survivor.Yet she was a Human Survivor.So many poor choices rooted in a lack ofSo many poor choices rooted in a lack ofwisdom,wisdom,Yet she was as wise as a resting turtle.Yet she was as wise as a resting turtle. So with every hurdle, with every trying,So with every hurdle, with every trying,She continued to be More.She continued to be More.More broken, more wise, poor choices,More broken, more wise, poor choices,bad lies.bad lies.By the end she was shattered,By the end she was shattered,But every piece stayed alive.But every piece stayed alive. “Compass Confusion”“Compass Confusion”What is good, what is bad?What is good, what is bad?Is there an answer that we have.Is there an answer that we have.Perception is an exceptional foolPerception is an exceptional foolWho tricks our eyes and makes us cruelWho tricks our eyes and makes us cruelStand by your beliefsStand by your beliefs but why is that a mustbut why is that a must When no beliefs are more great or just.When no beliefs are more great or just.Is there natural law or is there notIs there natural law or is there notthat all depends on your school ofthat all depends on your school ofthoughtthoughtbut the truth is that no one knowsbut the truth is that no one knowsif there is a clear direction we should goif there is a clear direction we should goSome walk to south of evil and darkSome walk to south of evil and darkothers fly north to the great love parkothers fly north to the great love parkMany are stuck in the west of the pastMany are stuck in the west of the pastMany move forward on the eastern path.Many move forward on the eastern path.But what is up and what is downBut what is up and what is down what is poor and what is the crownwhat is poor and what is the crownthat we put on our head to dictate ourthat we put on our head to dictate ourliveslivesAll we know is that we’re living a lie.All we know is that we’re living a lie.

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JAZ Z J ENNINGSJAZ Z J ENNINGSPOETRY BYPOETRY BY“The Eternal Beach”“The Eternal Beach”I will never lose faith in my brothers and sisters. I will never give upI will never lose faith in my brothers and sisters. I will never give upon myself or on humanity. For every act of hatred, there is an evenon myself or on humanity. For every act of hatred, there is an evengreater act of love. Remember that. Remember that.greater act of love. Remember that. Remember that.Don’t lose sight of the truth that lies within. The truth that is Love.Don’t lose sight of the truth that lies within. The truth that is Love.We are all connected to this Divine Love. We are all ONE in Love.We are all connected to this Divine Love. We are all ONE in Love.Remember that. Remember that.Remember that. Remember that.Like children in a sandbox, we build our castles and tear them down.Like children in a sandbox, we build our castles and tear them down.We throw sand in each other’s faces, we create and destroy again andWe throw sand in each other’s faces, we create and destroy again andagain. But the sandbox with the sand and the children remains. Weagain. But the sandbox with the sand and the children remains. Weare always there, and the remnants of our creations reside within usare always there, and the remnants of our creations reside within useternally. Remember that. Remember that.eternally. Remember that. Remember that.It is time that we move to vaster grounds: a beach. We are no longerIt is time that we move to vaster grounds: a beach. We are no longerchildren playing with toys and building castles that we then proceedchildren playing with toys and building castles that we then proceedto step all over. Let us build something more permanent. Moreto step all over. Let us build something more permanent. Moreexpansive. Something ingrained in the truth of love that we nowexpansive. Something ingrained in the truth of love that we nowremember. On the beach, let us run freely in our foreverness, noremember. On the beach, let us run freely in our foreverness, nolonger confined to the limits of a sandbox. The beach is ours. Let uslonger confined to the limits of a sandbox. The beach is ours. Let usbuild bigger and better castles. Let us exist in love, as Love, now andbuild bigger and better castles. Let us exist in love, as Love, now andforever. Never forget. Never forget.forever. Never forget. Never forget.

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We read to learn. We read to be entertained. We read to escape. We read to heal. We read to feel seen.We read because storytelling – because poetry, because art of any kind – is an inherent part of whatmakes us human.Audio books still give us what’s most important in a book: the artistry. They give us character developmentand imagery and symbolism and all the other literary devices your high school teachers quizzed you on. 34November 2021Boo KornerKWritten and reviewed by Carly Maria HubbardI love Jane Eyre. I love the gothic setting, Jane’s wonderful mixof passion and practicality, and my problematic fave, Mr.Rochester. It is easily one of my top ten favorite novels, eventhough I’ve technically never read it.Reader, I listened to it. And I think you should too. Not Jane Eyre specifically (though byall means do), but any audiobook. Because, hear me out (bad punintended): listening to books counts as reading. Audio books get a bad rap, but newer technologies are alwaysderided by the old guard. Heck, the Greek philosopher Socrates,generally acknowledged throughout history to be a Pretty SmartGuy™, thought people shouldn’t be encouraged to learn from thewritten word, his thinking being that students would growcomplacent and rely on physical objects instead of truly learningmaterial through oral lectures and discussion. And you knowwhose work we wouldn’t have access to today if not for thewritten word? Socrates’s.At the risk of getting too philosophical myself in the little bit ofspace allotted for our Book Corner, I pose to you this question:what is the point of reading? Why do we do it? It’s not the act ofeyes successfully recognizing sequences of letters, one wordafter another, that makes reading a worthwhile pursuit.

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And they make the “written” word more accessible to those who struggle with traditionally published books.Dyslexia, ADHD, and countless other modes of human experience can make reading those pages so muchmore difficult than enjoyable. And we deserve to enjoy books.Regarding enjoyment, I personally think more people should listen to the classics specifically. Because theycan be incredibly boring to read otherwise, and not because the various authors that make up our literarycanon wrote boring material; it’s just a simple fact that they wrote in times so entirely different from ourown. The prose can feel dry, the dialogue unnatural. But a good reader can infuse a story with the lifecontemporary readers would have caught, like they’re chiseling through the caked-on dirt of time to revealthe beautifully preserved pottery beneath. I’m not saying you’re a snob if you don’t enjoy listening to books; not everything is for everyone. And I’m notsaying anyone should chuck their stuffed bookshelves or e-readers to devote themselves entirely toaudiobooks (which would make me a truly egregious hypocrite). What I am saying is you have nothing tolose by trying one.35November 2021Boo KornerKWritten and reviewed by Carly Maria HubbardWe read to learn. Weread to be entertained.We read to escape. Weread to heal. We readto feel seen. We readbecause storytelling – is an inherent part ofwhat makes us human.

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36November 2021Boo KornerKWritten and reviewed by Carly Maria HubbardAnd if you do wanna try one, I have a fewsuggestions of where to find them— for free! Youlikely have access to digital material through yourlocal library, and can download audio books from theircatalogue directly to your phone through apps such asOverDrive and Libby. If you have a Spotifysubscription, they have several classics recorded aspodcasts. I also really like Chirp, where you can findheavily discounted books, sometimes as low as ninety-nine cents. And of course, on the more expensive endwe have Audible. The $14.95 monthly subscriptioncertainly isn’t for everybody, but if you turn into anaudiobook junkie it may be well worth it; on top of themonthly credit for any book of your choice, there is atruly vast catalogue of included titles and plenty oforiginal content. Their classics offerings alone wereinspiration enough for this month’s Book Corner. (Manythanks to Thandie Newton for bringing Jane Eyre sofully into my life.)Happy classics diving. Happy listening.Happy reading. Wherever you go looking for an audio book, make sure to listen to a sample before purchasing; a good audiobook is only as good as its narrator. Carly

A Clever Life Nov. 2021

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