Author Archives: Kim Alston

Shooting a Virus Dred Feminist Rant #16

Posted on July 23, 2020 by Kim Alston
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The corona virus exposes unmistakable crises in capitalism. While we reconfigure our expectations and lifestyles because of a virus few of us knew about three months ago, we endure this unimaginable crisis under a ruthless economic philosophy that sacrifices people … Continue reading →

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Liberation Poetry

Posted on April 9, 2020 by Kim Alston
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In this midst of this COVID-19 pandemic The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life  invited members of the Smith community to reflect on the concept of liberation; what does it mean, how is it embraced, what can it illuminate? Smithies … Continue reading →

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Our Year on Climate Change: Overcoming the Stagnation of Fear

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Kim Alston
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The climate crisis is a crisis for all of us. The massiveness of its scope can be frightening, even paralyzing.  The completeness of it – that is has touched, or will touch, us all – also presents an incredible opportunity. … Continue reading →

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Otelia Cromwell Day 2019

Posted on December 19, 2019 by Kim Alston
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Tribute to Adelaide Cromwell ’40 I met Dr. Adelaide McGuinn Cromwell in the mid 1980’s as a student at Boston University. Professor Gulliver, as she was known then, was my sociology professor in Afro American Studies, and one of only … Continue reading →

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Best Day Ever! Building Interfaith Community One Party at a Time!

Posted on October 22, 2019 by Kim Alston
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This article represents reflections from Maeve Orlowski-Scherer ‘21, a student intern and leader in the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. By 5:30 p.m., everything was ready. The chairs had been pushed back to the sides of the Helen Hills … Continue reading →

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Our Year on Climate Change: Expanding the Golden Rule

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Kim Alston
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CRSL is part of Smith’s college-wide initiative on climate change. Director of Religious & Spiritual Life and College Chaplain Matilda Cantwell discusses the impact of climate change and its connection to the work of the CRSL. My friend and colleague … Continue reading →

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Doing Things That Change You: Action to Reflection at the CRSL

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Kim Alston
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This summer I had the privilege of participating in the leadership of a conference entitled The Body, A Vehicle for Justice, Advocacy, and Change. https://starisland.org/program/star-gathering-2-family-conference-the-body/. Each day we began with a worship service in the Christian tradition, and this was followed … Continue reading →

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Reflection on Muslim Student Advising

Posted on February 12, 2019 by Kim Alston
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For many years Muslim students at Smith College built a sense of community among themselves with little assistance from the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. They organized events, planned activities and led holy observances largely through the behest of … Continue reading →

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Poor People’s Campaign Sounds the Alarm

Posted on July 10, 2018 by Kim Alston
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I didn’t plan on going to a grassroots activist rally that day, June 4, 2018. But my days as Muslim Student Adviser offer many different opportunities, so I wasn’t surprised. Director of Religious & Spiritual Life and College Chaplain Rev. … Continue reading →

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Letter in support of Muslim Community

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Kim Alston
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Dear Muslim Community, Interfaith Allies and Friends, As you may have heard from the Al Iman Cabinet, there is an abhorrent anti-Muslim theme which originated in the UK, and may be relevant in the US. We are sorry to bring … Continue reading →

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