These men open up their lives, their culture, and the life-saving magic of horses. Something that has not left me is Calvin saying in the Q&A after the film, “riding saved me… from the gangs and the cops.” Horses gave him a pass. They gave him a life. Their barn, The Hill, tragically burned down and the city of LA hasn’t made replacing it easy for these guys. What Angelenos out there want to raise some good trouble with us, and rally behind their charitable initiative @urbansaddles, and make sure The Hill rides again?! . @hillbillymovie by #AshleyYork is a powerful look at Appalachia, and the stereotypes about the region that have inflicted generational suffering on the people who live there. Stereotypes dehumanize. As as this dehumanization has been applied to many of Appalachia’s residents, this has caused political and economic policy to ravage the land and its people. The harm is heartbreaking, the people profiled are full of goodness, and the parallels between their community and many other marginalized communities, who suffer so that gargantuan systems may benefit, is undeniable. This film reminded to me listen more closely. To do the work of not assuming. And to lean on what I know to be true. We are more alike than different. And everyone is deserving of support. . I saw some incredible short films too. #GrizzlyCountryFilm by @ben_moon, which focuses on the work Doug Peacock has been doing (since he returned home from the Vietnam war) to save the Grizzlies and protect our wilderness. #TheLoveBugsFilm by @allisonotto explores the nature of love and love of nature through two entomologists, Charlie and Lois O’Brien. Their love for bugs has given the scientific community, and the world, a priceless gift in their collection. And their love for each other made it all possible. #BareExistence by my friend @max.lowe tells the heartbreaking story of what climate change denial is doing to the polar bears, and the sea ice, in Churchill Canada. The bears are a cautionary tale for us all
