Farrah Alexander’s ‘Resistance in the Bluegrass’ shares the story of Underestimated Kentucky Activism – LEO Weekly

Kentucky author Farrah Alexander has launched “Resistance within the Bluegrass,” her observe as much as 2020’s “Elevating the Resistance: A Mom’s Information to Sensible Activism.” As her writing has lengthy involved itself with the concepts of feminism, social justice and parenting, it’s no shock that her newest work returns to the identical themes. “Resistance within the Bluegrass” turns Alexander’s lens towards individuals in our Commonwealth who’re working towards addressing the problems that Alexander, and presumably her readers, are enthusiastic about of their residence state.  I reached out to Alexander to ask her just a few questions concerning the ebook’s topics, as a result of I used to be taken with figuring out how she selected whom to put in writing about and if there have been others whom she may select to profile in future books. 

The ebook is split into chapters concerning the problems with poverty, schooling, LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice and extra, introducing the reader to Kentuckians alive and ancestral who work(ed) inside their communities to impact constructive change. The ebook opens up with a robust introduction from state Rep. Attica Scott, and units the tone for the rest of the ebook. Her introduction masterfully references Kentucky’s historical past of resistance from Harlan to downtown Louisville, and the problems activists have lengthy fought for or in opposition to throughout the state.

“I couldn’t presumably embrace each unimaginable Kentuckian who has fought or is combating for constructive change, sadly,” mentioned Alexander.  “I centered on completely different subjects [racial justice, environment, women’s rights, LGBTQ, etc.] and interviewed some change-makers on the forefront of these fights together with some anecdotes from previous Kentuckians who influenced their activism.”

The Kentuckians Alexander selected to profile are numerous and he or she presents their tales plainly, which makes this ebook appropriate for younger grownup readers in addition to adults. On the finish of each chapter, Alexander takes the story of these profiled and units forth a transparent, concise path for a way the reader can take inspiration from these tales and carry that very same vitality ahead to proceed manifesting constructive change inside their very own communities. I particularly appreciated these roadmaps as a result of it makes it really easy for a reader to take motion in their very own lives, and it additionally demonstrates that anybody can take the steps to make their world a greater place.

“With regards to areas of advocacy, there are specific Kentuckians who at all times present up and people had been the individuals I usually wished to focus on,” mentioned Alexander.  “Kentucky is drastically underestimated by way of activism. Every chapter might have simply been a ebook in itself.”

There are numerous issues to admire on this ebook. The biographical data of its topics is compellingly offered and the tales of their resistance are uplifting and provoking. As Scott mentions in her introduction, the tales in “Resistance within the Bluegrass” middle themselves within the constructive and reveal that throughout the Commonwealth no matter metropolis or “holler,” have or have-not, that the driving power behind each Kentuckian profiled was to create a greater world for his or her group.

“In penning this ebook, I positively developed a deeper appreciation and have develop into fiercely defensive of Kentuckians,” mentioned Alexander. “I feel usually activists in pink states have grit and keenness for his or her causes which can be incomparable to progressives in blue states. It was actually an honor to inform their tales, and I’d be completely happy to inform extra of them.” •

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