All posts tagged: racism

Confessions of a Jetsetter w/ Natalie Jeffers

“I recently spent time in Memphis, which was deep, dirty and delicious. There are many stories I could share but the most life-affirming/transformative event happened on my flight back to Brooklyn, when I took a seat next to this man. Robert Hawkins. I almost didn’t sit next to Robert, as he had a cane and a support brace around his waist so I didn’t want to make him get up and move just so I could get my window seat! But Robert insisted I sit, and we all got settled in. I was so blessed that I ended up in that seat, at that very moment in time…Robert told me that he had been released from prison that very day and that this flight was his first taste of freedom, and our conversation his first with a person who wasn’t his family, lawyer or prison mate in 26 years…intense, right? As Robert shared his story, I gave him my respect and compassion for the tough life he had been forced to live behind bars. Not …

Confessions of a Jetsetter w/ Sarah Brodsky

“I was traveling to motorcycle rallies with a high wire motorcycle trapeze act. We went to Sturgis, South Dakota for the big two-week long rally and met all sorts of characters. Being from New York City, I wasn’t used to cowboys, country living and motorcycle culture. There was a guy my troupe and I had met in West Virginia who was also on his way to Sturgis. We helped him transport his bike because we had extra room in our trailer. His name was Bubba and he was from Alabama. Bubba was such a great guy! He offered to help us with anything we needed. He was hilarious and just really kind. Although my mother is from Alabama, I had never been there and wasn’t accustomed to such Southern Hospitality.  Bubba told us all sorts of stories about his business- he sold lights to put on motorcycles and set up his booth at the rallies. He then went on to describe a person who was trying to cheat his coworker out of money and used …