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How Western Massachusetts inspired Andrea Hairston's latest sci-fi novel

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How Western Massachusetts inspired Andrea Hairston's latest sci-fi novel


Author Andrea Hairston was moved by the way her local community in Northampton, and Western Massachusetts more broadly, worked together during the height of the pandemic – lending her inspiration for the setting of her newest novel, “Archangels of Funk.”

In “Archangels of Funk,” scientist, artist and Hoodoo conjurer Cinnamon Jones lives in an alternate Massachusetts. In a reality where Water Wars have affected the world, invisible darknet lords troll the internet and nostalgia militias wreck havoc, Cinnamon tries to bring her community together with a Next World Festival. Along with her circus-bots, dogs and community of motor fairies and wheel-wizards, she helps forge a future that can support her community.

Hairston joined GBH News to talk about her speculative fantasy book and her ties to communities in and around Northampton. What follows is a lightly edited transcript.

Haley Lerner: Can you tell me a bit about the premise and inspiration behind “Archangels of Funk”?

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Andrea Hairston: COVID hit Western Massachusetts, and I was so impressed with how all these different groups of people came together to solve really impossible problems. So I decided to locate the book here.

It’s the story of Cinnamon Jones, who is a scientist, artist and Hoodoo conjurer. And she wanted to be in the tech field, but it didn’t work out. And she’s an older woman now. This is a dystopia, as it’s after the water wars have devastated the world. The tech world is reeling. Farmers are desperate. And she’s also a theater artist, so she wants to use all that she has to help all the people in her community survive from all these intense events.

The book charts her struggle to help the refugees of the water wars deal with the ethical issues of the tech world, to figure out how to be in relationships with people because she’s in her 50s and she still hasn’t managed to make that work. She manages to make friends with a very diverse group and get them all to maybe show up at the festival.

Lerner: Can you speak more to how Western Massachusetts inspired you in writing this book?

Hairston: I really lift people from Western Massachusetts and put them in the book. All these different groups came together to figure out what to do to help people who didn’t have necessarily all that they needed to survive.

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I felt like I was living in a mindful community where a large number of people were thinking and being creative together. I was able to see up close the despair that we all were feeling and then the remedies we were finding for that. We weren’t like letting despair win.

I had thought maybe I was going to put it in Western Mass – and then I did a great tree walk, and I met all the wonderful old ancient trees that have been in our town for longer than the people.

I thought of the people in the town who had been under those trees 100 years ago, 200 years ago. Where I live in Florence [a village in the city of Northampton], free black people lived here. Sojourner Truth has a monument here because she lived here. David Ruggles – he was a major abolitionist, free black man. This was a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Rooted in the history of Florence and Northampton, it was very comforting to find out that people had struggled, really profoundly, with some of the same issues we were struggling with for a long time.

I felt like, “Oh my God!”, this is a historical community that has been doing that for hundreds of years. I’m an Afrofuturist, so I really felt that I had ancestors talking to me.

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I wanted to bring into a near-future setting the sense that we can solve our problems, that we have hope. And then I could use my town.

Lerner: What inspired the fantasy elements you included in your book?

Hairston: I’m a professor emeritus of Africana Studies and theater at Smith College. I’m very much influenced by West African and indigenous American cosmological practices and thoughts. I was also when I was an undergraduate physics major – physics is amazing.

I am able to use my knowledge of West African culture, religious practices, and also African-American Hoodoo. My great aunt was a Hoodoo practitioner.

That sensibility of if I can come into the zone and do all my rituals or all my rehearsal practices – then I suddenly have to make connections that I cannot make when I’m at the mundane, everyday level. And the same thing with physics.

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Lerner: You also bring into this world ideas of internet culture and technology. How did you get the idea to include these aspects in your book’s world?

Hairston: I got invited to a “Black to the Future” conference at Princeton with really amazing people who were thinking where are we going with internet culture with the possibilities of so-called artificial intelligence, with algorithmic thinking, and how does race and gender and class and all that stuff play into it?

People have the notion that algorithms are neutral and people are biased. But of course, people write the algorithms. So, it’s kind of impossible for the algorithm not to reflect the bias of those writing it.

There are a lot of people who are afraid that technology is going to dominate and destroy us. That’s us – it’s not technology. So, we need to change ourselves an then we get the technology we want.

We have beautiful, amazing possibilities with our technology. So, what we have to do is look at our value system. What do we want to do with it? Who is it for? How will we implement it? How can we use the insights and the capacities that we have to be empathetically connected with each other and solve our problems?

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That to me is the hard question, not that the technology is evil and not that it’s neutral either. And that’s what I’m hoping to do in this book.





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Cole Swindell, Bryson Tiller: 9 MA Events This Week

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Cole Swindell, Bryson Tiller: 9 MA Events This Week


MASSACHUSETTS — Are you saving your nights outside of the house for the weekend? In Massachusetts, that can often mean missing out on a bevy of great concerts, art exhibits and other events across the state.

In Patch’s latest weekly column, we focus on the events happening throughout the week in the Boston area and beyond.

This week, the storied band The Damned stops at Big Night Live while R&B crooners Tank and Keri Hilson bring their show to Orpheum Theatre.

Plus, Cole Swindell is at Leader Bank Pavilion and Bryson Tiller is at MGM Music Hall.

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Here’s what else to know for this week in Massachusetts:



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How rich is Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren; Elizabeth Warren's net worth revealed

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How rich is Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren; Elizabeth Warren's net worth revealed


Due to her prominence in American politics and academia, it’s no wonder why so many wonder about Elizabeth Warren’s net worth and how she accumulated her wealth. In the following article, we’ll answer these burning questions and provide you with all other relevant financial information related to Senator Warren.

Who is Elizabeth Warren?

Elizabeth Warren is a US Senator from Massachusetts, serving in the Senate since 2013. Before her political career, Warren was a professor of law, specializing in bankruptcy. She taught at several universities, including Harvard Law School, and authored numerous books on financial topics. Senator Warren is also known for her advocacy on consumer protection, economic opportunity, and the social safety net. She ran for the Democratic nomination for President in 2020 but lost to Hillary Clinton in the process.

Elizabeth Warren’s net worth

There’s a lot of conflicting data related to Elizabeth Warren’s net worth. For example, CAknowledge reports a staggering net worth of $73 million, while Celebrity Net Worth suggests a way smaller figure of $8 million. Either way, the figure is substantial, and it reflects her earnings from her academic career, book sales, and US Senator salary.

How did Elizabeth Warren make her money?

From what we were able to gather, Elizabeth Warren has multiple sources of income. Here are some of the ways she has made her money:

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  • Senate salary: As a United States Senator, she earns an annual salary of $174,000;
  • Book deals: As an author of several books, Warren makes money from book deals. For example, she made more than $300,000 from books in 2018;
  • Lecturing and consulting: Apart from writing, she also earns income from lecturing and consulting;
  • Businesses and donations: She earns annually through various businesses and donations;

Warren’s assets and investments

When it comes to assets and investments, Elizabeth Warren owns over 10 real estate properties, which include both residential and commercial properties. What’s more, her car collection includes 7 vehicles, ranging from luxury sedans to SUVs. She also owns 3 luxury yachts, which are considered high-value assets.

In terms of financial assets, Warren also has cash reserves, as well as an impressive investment portfolio, with several high-value stocks.

Insider trading involvement

There are no public records or credible reports that suggest Warren’s involvement in insider trading. In fact, she has called for investigations into potential insider trading activities by other government officials. Moreover, Warren even introduced a bill that bans Members of Congress and their spouses from owning and trading individual stocks, bonds, commodities, futures, and other securities.

How much is Elizabeth Warren worth?

There is a lot of dispute over Elizabeth Warren’s net worth. Some reports suggest a $73 million figure, while others claim her wealth to be a lot smaller, somewhere around $8 million. Either way, both figures make Senator Warren part of the richest echelon of US senators. Nevertheless, with no public record of any financial controversies, it’s hard for an average American to make a case against her personal wealth in any way.

Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.

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Days 103-111 on The Appalachian Trail—Connecticut and Massachusetts – The Trek

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Days 103-111 on The Appalachian Trail—Connecticut and Massachusetts – The Trek



Random Thoughts

The further North I go it seems the opportunity to meet other hikers on the trail seems to be diminished. In the last part of New York there was a small cluster of thru hikers and flip floppers, now it is rare to see anyone. Having started in the winter, the isolation of the green tunnel of spring is intense. It is necessary to wander off trail to see more notable things and get a flavor for the region. Some interstate rivalries exist up here. My friend Heidi, a native of New Hampshire, commented on my picture at the Connecticut State Line that it is the “Gateway” and not part of New England. The war continues.

Cultural Differences 

I take issue with being charged $4.08 for a fourteen ounce glass of unsweetened tea and no free refills. Perhaps word of the joys of sweet tea and unlimited refills hasn’t reached this far North after all of these years. Then again “The Boston Sweet Tea Party” isn’t in recorded history as never could anyone so foolishly waste the “Wine of the South”. I’ve tried to avoid the subject of biscuits and gravy as to not give away the fact that I hail from elsewhere. A translation dictionary for many phrases would be helpful. Who could know that “PSDS” means pierced ears? 

Company on The Trail: Battle Buddy


Back In Pearisburg, Virginia and again in Harpers Ferry, WV I had the good fortune of meeting a hiker who started two days before me in early January. At our second meeting Angelika, The Hiking Tomato, and I hatched a plan to hike together. By together I mean the same geographic miles on the same day and camp or lodge in each other’s immediate vicinity. She has a quicker pace and neither of us requires constant chatter while hiking. This has prove beneficial in a multitude of ways. There is someone to share a few words with, a constant in the day, encouragement, a break in the isolation after 4 1/2 months. Making good mileage every day, and some feelings of depression have subsided.

 

Days 103-105

 

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Connecticut I Hardly Knew You

A little over two days and done. Nothing of note except for the ice tea issue, friendly people, great scenery, and some beautiful covered bridges. My Canadian friend Gazelle/Solar completed the 53 mile Connecticut Challenge in less than 24 hours. Quite the impressive feat! Crossing the state line with THT feels like a huge accomplishment. I felt a little stuck in New York after my calf issue. More progress, another state  closer to home.

After crossing the state line all the trail seemed familiar and rocky. A lot of slab walking, boulder hopping, climbing over peaks, and yes the occasional rattle snake. Roger’s Ramp was yet another rock squeeze and photo opportunity. This is the first time I took a lunch break on this thru hike at a little cafe near Kent, CT. That’s where I discovered the tea problem. I traveled off trail after the hiking every day in Connecticut and found wonders from waterfalls to beautiful covered bridges. You have to leave the tunnel to see the communities and culture. The beauty and history of the surrounding areas is worth taking time to see. My favorite memory will be giving Gazelle support and trail magic during her challenge attempt.  This was my first time in Connecticut and I would like to see more. There have been milestones and points of interest. Unlike previous posts there is not too much to say as it felt like “Welcome To” and “Now Leaving” were on the same side of the sign. Maybe I should have taken more time.

Days 106-111 Massachusetts 


One of the striking things traveling further North is the amount of history in so many places near the trail. The introduction into Massachusetts is a simple sign in the woods as you pass a stream. The only thing I had seen of the state previously was Boston. Again, a short time in a state and I need to make better notes of  the days. The effects of TBI become apparent as I recount each section. Then again there are many places listed as “ Cliffs” and “Ledges” on the trail.  Continual amazing views when the trail opens from the tunnel to show the expanse of this incredible part of the state. Seeing Mount Greylock in the distance and then experiencing the climb was a good day. The forest near the top reminded me of the forest near Clingman’s Dome. Fairy tale like and the mirror pond and cabin are the subject of many hiker’s pictures. The war memorial at the top is a fitting tribute to the sons and daughters who gave their last measure for our freedoms. 
Seeing wild turkeys by the roadside on the way back to trail was entertaining. Two steps into the woods and they disappeared. THT definitely hikes the cliffs with more confidence. The memory if Tennessee stays with me. I didn’t stay too long in Massachusetts either. While I don’t want the journey to end I am getting anxious to be home.

Final Thoughts 

The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.
– W.B. Yeats

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