Sarah Slack

@sarahjslack

Human rights & community care Anti-genocide 🇵🇸 & everywhere Still 😷 + to prevent COVID & other airborne disease Curiosity, connection, and community at our common table @commontable.bsky.social

695 Folgt741 Follower341 Posts

Bluesky

Ist das dein Profil?Übernimm es — dann gehört dir sarahjslack.dirty.social.Profil übernehmen

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· 3d

Day 8 #sealeychallenge If you have family who’ve fled apocalyptic fires while your PM announced a fast tracked new pipeline, sandwiched between their ignition, you may be engulfed in grief of many kinds (survivors, climate, ptsd) & rage that candled through the night, be advised this poem hits hard.

My fingers hold the book in the bottom left corner. The cover has a picture of Joy Harjo. There is a text book overlaid with an excerpt from a poem in the collection that reads “Weaving Sundown in a Scarlet Light by Joy Harjo
@joyharjoforreal
"Perhaps the World Ends Here"
"The world begins at a kitchen table...
It is here that children are given instructions on what it means to be human...
It is a place to hide in the shadow of terror...
At this table we sing with joy, with sorrow...
We pray of suffering and remorse...
Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table, while we are laughing and crying, eating of the last sweet bite."

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· 4d

Day 7 @sealeychallenge.bsky.social “Jasmine” by Cyrus Cassells Read Pádraig Ó Tuama If you are on your patio at dusk w/ your poet grown kid jasmine in your hand and in the rainy air entangled with an Irish lilt a stone’s throw from The Drive, my doorstep to Rome, be advised this poem hits hard.

I am sitting on the patio wearing a trench coat, with my feet in rain boots up on a stool. A phone sits on my lap with text on the screen “Jasmine, by Cyrus Cassells.
These are the days of Jasmine in Rome, when headlong emboldened April has dissolved, and the joyous braiding of sun and rain brings this sweet, steady broadcast.
When I step from the suppertime train, that's what greets me. Roman hedges and walkways, graffiti-laden precincts, graced with pallid
fireworks, so even the most tumbled-down niches seem (word obscured)
Festive now with fragrance.”
Three star jasmine flowers rest in my upturned my right hand. The floor of the patio is wet with rain.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· 6d

Day 6 #sealeychallenge The Silk the Moths Ignore by @bronwentate.bsky.social If you’ve ever been a mother,or suddenly were not, be advised these poems hit hard. I learned the how of poetry from Bronwen,via Emma. Why do these lines please my brain? Em said "it's a tricky rhyme,Dr Tate loves those"

My fingers hold the book in the bottom left corner. The book is illustrated with an abstract watercolour painting. There is a round circle at the top right with the text “NATIONAL WINNER INLANDIA INSTITUTE HILLARY GRAVENDYK PRIZE 2019”

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· 6d

Day 5 #sealeychallenge echolalia echolalia by Jane Shi @pipagaopoetry.bsky.social If you have loved ones who might need reasons to stay alive, be advised “100 Punchlines to Procrastinate Kicking Your Bucket” hits hard (complimentary). I love how the divergent form & content of these poems resonate.

My fingers hold the book in the bottom left corner. ALT description of book cover written by the author Jane Shi. Book cover w/ expressionist-realist painting of person w/ buzzed hair & yellow skin, wearing a grey-white smock, fighting/eating a bright orange snake in a lush dark green, maroon, orange jungle; the forest floor is a dark green & the sky is a pale pink-lavender. Person's mouth is open; they are barefoot. Above person in a snaky S wiggle are "echolalia echolalia" in bolded white serif font & "jane shi" in regular white serif font. The cover is on a light green banner with translucent snakes decorating the background.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· 7d

Day 4 #sealeychallenge If you've lived in the Okanagan, be advised the wildfire evacuation poems hit hard. Day Song by Sharon Thesen @brokepress.bsky.social

Day Song by Sharon Thesen poetry chapbook. A grey illustration in the centre looks like a smoke cloud? My fingers hold the book in the bottom left corner.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· 8d

Day 3 #sealeychallenge Gordon by @michaelvsmith.bsky.social @brokepress.bsky.social If your Dad died of AIDS, and lived in Toronto in ‘92 be advised this one hits hard.

Poetry chapbook the size of a CD with an photographic image of an empty CD case on the front and the word Gordon in larger dark pink letters. The book is bound with dark pink thread. My fingers hold the book in the bottom left corner.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· 9d

Day 2 #sealeychallenge Garbage Poems by @annajswan.bsky.social Illustrations by April White. Read the day after the Vancouver Dyke March.

The Garbage Poems book with a cream background and a painting of litter in the centre. My fingers are holding the books in the bottom left corner.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· 9d

Day *1 #sealeychallenge *Better posting a day late than never? Re-read In Your Nature by Estlin McPhee the day after Vancouver Trans March.

Book of poetry titled In Your Nature by Estlin McPhee. The book design has a black background with a spider web in the middle, with flowers, plants, and mushrooms in bold graphic design. My fingers are visible in the bottom left corner holding the book.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· 10d

Told @emilylowan.bsky.social leader of @bcgreens.bsky.social‬ she inspired me to join a political party for the 1st time at age 52. She’s so smart & unflinching, the only way out of the eco & social crises my & previous generations created. I'm starting a MAMs (Middle-Aged Moms) for Lowan Club.

Emily Lowan and I take a selfie. I am wearing a black KN 95 mask. We are both smizing.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Jun 15

Let’s kick out the cars on The Drive every Sunday all summer.

People walk down the middle of Commercial Dr in Vancouver, BC during Italian Day on The Drive. There is red, white, and green bunting strung across the road.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Jun 15

Santa Sahel (previously Santa Barbara) stand at Italian Day on The Drive.

A man is using a rattan fan on Persian ground meat kabobs and peppers he is grilling. There is an umbrella over the grill that sits on the street closed off to traffic.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Jun 15

Italian Day on The Drive in Vancouver. Cultural associations serving regional foods are the heart of street festivals.

Famiglia Bagnolese banner with a Canadian flag and an Italian flag at Italian Day on The Drive street festival. There are tables with food and grills in the background. In the foreground is a box with sausage on a bun topped with grilled peppers and onions.

A piece of paper on a red table reads “Schiarc’ "skeearch" in Bagnolese Di. lect]
Schiarc' or pizzette fritte [fried bread] in Italian, are small rounds of dough that are deep fried and sprinkled with either sugar, or less commonly, salt, for a savoury version.
Historically they were made with the dough that was left over after the monthly bread baking in communal wood burning ovens, and were considered a special treat! The simple ingredients of whole wheat flour, salt, water, and sourdough starter that were used in traditional bread making throughout Italy, resulted in a rustic, firmer and chewier schiarc'
As sugar was considered a luxury they were more likely to be eaten plain or salted.
With the introduction of commercial white flour and different leavening agents, today Italians enjoy pizzette fritte whenever it suits them. The addition of cinnamon and honey has also become a favourite variation of the classic recipe.
As a popular street food, the Familia Bagnolese Society is proud to serve schiarc' .......and introduce a little bit of our
culture to Vancouver!” There is a small picture of fried dough at the bottom of the page.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Dec 2

I lost my Dad to AIDS. If we had learned lessons from that pandemic about how to keep structurally marginalized folks safe & alive, could we have prevented the massive & ongoing scale of death & long term disability caused by COVID-19?

My hand, palm up, against a background of clover, holding a beaded pin with the red AIDS ribbon design. It was made by Grandmothers in South Africa who are caring for their HIV + families.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Oct 21

Do you have any idea how much I love the Strathcona Community Centre? Vancouver Park Board forever! www.instagram.com/p/DQFHj3qCeR...

Vaccine clinic on October 28 at Strathcona Community Centre (Senior's Room). Drop in any time between 10AM - 6PM to get a flu or COVID shot. No appointment or registration needed. Vaccines for ages 2+

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Sep 21

The teen made Frankie Maw’s Tomato Ginger Scallion Congee.

A blue bowl with red congee flecked with finely chopped scallion. The bowl sits on a light wood surface with the shadow of a lace curtain on the left side.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Sep 21

Draw The Line signs.

Draw the Line rally signs laying on the grass. The signs say STATUS FOR ALL
on cardboard, on a large cutout of a monarch butterfly, and on a larger sign that says SCRAP BILL C-2 underneath. Other signs say
NO MORE
DETENTIONS
DEPORTATIONS
DISPLACEMENT
and
PEOPLE
OVER
PROFIT

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Sep 21

Neighbourhood signs.

A sign that says TRESPASSERS WILL BE COMPOSTED on a weathered wooden fence with a rusted hinge. There is a tree behind the fence, and a house painted turquoise.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Aug 7

One of my favourite cookbooks “Rolex - few Ugandans wear one - but eat them”

A small soft cover cookbook with an image of an egg and vegetables rolled up in chapatti. The text reads:
“Delicious Recipes

Rolex -
few
Ugandans
wear one -
but eat
them

By: NABONGO EMMA”

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Jul 8

I made a square in memory of Eve for the Children of Gaza Quilt at patchworkrepairhub.com Eve was one of Dr. Alaa Al-Najjar’s children killed by an Israeli airstrike. Stitching Eve’s name, in community with others, was devastating & a powerful antidote to despair. www.instagram.com/children.of....

On a table there is a piece of paper that reads:
“Her hands were saving children - as her own were being taken.
While on duty caring for young patients at Al-Tabrir Clinic in Nasser Medical Complex, Dr. AJaa Al-Najjar, a paediatrician, received the most devastating news imaginable: An Israeli airstrike had hit her home in southern Gaza. 9 of her 10 children were killed. Her husband, Dr. Hamdi Al-Najjar, had just returned after dropping her off at work. He now lies in intensive care. Their only surviving child, Adam, is injured. Dr. Alaa was forced to identify the bodies of her own babies — in the same hospital where she works.
Photo collage of the family
These are her children's names:
Yahya (12)
Eve (9)
Sidar (less than 1 year old)
Rival (5)
Sadeen (3) Rakan (10) Ruslan (7) Jibran (8) Lugman (2)
She was saving lives — while her own life was being shattered. This is not just a statistic. This is a mother.
A doctor. A healer. A human being. Gaza Say their names. Share her story. Demand humanity.”

Below the paper is a quilt square with a blue pattered fabric on top, a green and white checkered fabric strip in the middle and a red fabric on the bottom. The name Eve is sewn on the red fabric with black thread. The name has a semi circle of black knots above it.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Jul 8

The object permanence of a printed report, especially related to the Palestinian genocide / attempted erasure, is a tangible visual reminder of the need to be persistent & indefatigable in our condemnation. Grateful Publication Studio Vancouver has these available, pay what you can. bookmachine.ca

A hand is holding a report with a cover that reads:
“Advance edited version
A/HRC/59/23
Distr.: General
30 June 2025
Original: English

Human Rights Council
Fifty-ninth session
16 June-11 July 2025
Agenda item 7
Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories

From economy of occupation to economy of genocide

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation
of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Francesca Albanese*, **

Summary
In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 investigates the corporate machinery sustaining the Israeli settler-colonial project of displacement and replacement of the Palestinians in the occupied territory. While political leaders and Governments shirk their obligations, far too many corporate entities have profited from the Israeli economy of illegal occupation, apartheid and now genocide. The complicity exposed by the report is just the tip of the iceberg; ending it will not happen without holding the private sector accountable, including its executives. International law recognizes varying degrees of responsibility - each requiring scrutiny and accountability, particularly in this case, where a people's self-determination and very existence are at stake. This is a necessary step to end the genocide and dismantle the global system that has allowed it.

*The present report was submitted to the conference services for processing after the deadline so as to include the most recent information.

** The annex to the present document is reproduced as received, in the language of submission only.”

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Apr 29

My city is wracked with grief from a mass killing, and my country is still haunted at this hour by the possibility of a fascist federal government. What shards do we place tomorrow and the next day to prevent this rot?

One almost ripe strawberry resting on a small shard of terracotta in a terracotta planter.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Mar 30

Testing recipes for Emiko Davie’s forthcoming cookbook The Japanese Pantry. Hoto noodle soup Carrot kasuzuke Hoba miso

Hoto noodle soup with kabocha squash, carrots, mushrooms, daikon, Napa cabbage, spring onions, and fried tofu in a starchy kombu dashi and miso broth.

A black earthenware pot of kasuzuke with a piece of carrot held up with chopsticks above the pot. The lid sits upturned to the left and shadows from blinds splay geometric shapes on the table.

Mise en place for hoba miso. A magnolia (hoba) leaf soaks in a casserole dish full of water. Torn shitake and chanterelle mushrooms sit on top of a paper bag. A terracotta dish holds a paste of red miso, sake and sugar. A Japanese grater full of ginger. A wooden cutting board with six chopped spring onions.

Assembled hoba miso cooking on a cast iron grill on a bbq. The miso paste is spread on the soaked oblong dried magnolia leaf, the spring onions are spread over the miso paste, and the mushrooms are heaped on top.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Mar 20

Referendum passed! UBC student strike March 24 & 25

Screenshot of an Instagram post by @palestinestrikeactionubc that says “STRIKE! REFERENDUM PASSES. 7917 STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA VOTED TO GO ON STRIKE FOR DIVESTMENT NEXT WEEK.” There are two Palestinian flags on the poster.

Screenshot of an Instagram post by @palestinestrikeactionubc that says “UBC just made history! 78% of voters in the largest student union in “Canada” have said YES to go on strike in solidarity with Palestine starting next week. The voter turnout for the strike referendum was higher than the general election proving that students DEMAND DIVESTMENT. Let’s bring campus to a grinding halt. Stay tuned. FREE PALESTINE.” Hands holding signs that say STUDENT STRIKE and UBC.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Mar 14

Teen made a blood orange & magnolia drink to celebrate this occasion.

Glass with ice, blood orange drink, a magnolia petal floating on top, with a spring of rosemary on the petal.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Mar 14

Magnolias and the blood moon

The blood moon framed by the branches of a magnolia tree

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Mar 13

The AMS vote for a UBC student strike March 24 & 25 is live! Vote here ⤵️ ams.simplyvoting.com?fbclid=PAZXh...

Screenshot of a @palestinestrikeactionubc post on Instagram

VOTE YES!
Student Strike Advocating Divestment for Palestine
Whereas the AMS represents the UBC student body and has historically
taken a public stance on international human rights violations.
Whereas UBC has not condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza which have been
stated as “consistent with genocide” by the United Nations. Whereas
UBC Board of Governors has failed to act on student demands that UBC
divest from Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and the other 28 companies
listed by UBC Divest as complicit in the genocide of Palestinians,
including by enabling illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories. I support the AMS student council calling for a 2 day
student strike on the 24th and 25th of March 2025 to demand that the
University of British Columbia divest from all companies complicit in
the Israeli government’s violence against Palestinians. Note: The
strike would include encouraging students not to attend class for the
duration. VOTING OPEN MARCH 10-17

A banner in the colours of the Palestinian flag that says UBC STRIKE NOW unfurled by students outside the window of the Buchanan building at UBC Vancouver

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Mar 1

Mars. Visible with the naked eye tonight.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Jan 4

This is just one of the AI recipe bots that have followed me recently here. It’s not apparent from the BlueSky profile, but is clear on the website.

A screenshot from jadarecipes.com. A smiling woman in chefs jacket with an apron over top standing in a kitchen. I have circled the word “an AI” on the website text “Welcome to Jada Recipes – your ultimate source for easy, delicious, and wholesome recipes that will inspire your cooking journey! I’m Jada Parker, the creator behind Jada Recipes. While I may be an AI-generated persona, my mission is real – to provide simple, mouthwatering recipes that anyone, from seasoned chefs to kitchen novices, can easily follow. Whether you’re just starting to experiment in the kitchen or looking for fresh ideas, my goal is to make cooking enjoyable, accessible, and most importantly, fun!”

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Dec 8

Two cookbooks by Canadians from Syria. The Salloum family settled in Saskatchewan in the 1920’s, and the Kadé-Badra family came to Montreal in 1971. The recipes in both are superb. The essays in Arab Cooking are profoundly illuminating.

Two cookbooks on a table. Flavours of Aleppo: Celebrating Syrian Cuisine by Dalal Kadé-Badra and Elie Badra and Arab Cooking on a Prairie Homestead: Recipes and Recollections From a Syrian Pioneer by Habeeb Salloum.

Sarah Slack@sarahjslack· Dec 2

Lost my Dad to AIDS. I’m devastated and furious we did not learn from that pandemic, to prevent the scale of death and disability that has only just begun with COVID.