Author Archives: Kim Alston

Understanding the Effects of Racial Trauma

Posted on July 23, 2020 by Kim Alston
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Racial Trauma for Blacks is a prevalent phenomenon that cannot be disputed yet it is so commonplace that it has been normalized. Every day the U.S. global majority (an alternative term for people of color) face the damaging effects of … Continue reading →

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A Revolution of Rest: A Case For ‘Radical Renewal’

Posted on July 23, 2020 by Kim Alston
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While I was brainstorming for this piece I found myself struggling to formulate something that hasn’t already been said about this moment of absolute turmoil. At first, I aimed to express something  profound, original… politically galvanizing even. But quite quickly, … Continue reading →

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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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