Welcome to the conversation!


Welcome to the conversation!

Harriet Beecher Stowe's (1811-1896) best-selling anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852), made her the most famous American woman of the 19th century and galvanized the abolition movement before the Civil War.

The Stowe Center is a 21st-century museum and program center using Stowe's story to inspire social justice and positive change.

The Salons at Stowe programs are a forum to connect the challenging issues (race, gender and class) that impelled Stowe to write and act with the contemporary face of those same issues. The Salon format is based on a robust level of audience participation, with the explicit goal of promoting civic engagement. Recent topics included: Teaching Acceptance; Is Prison the New Slavery; Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North; Creativity and Change; Race, Gender and Politics Today; How to be an Advocate

This blog will expand the reach of these community conversations to the online audience. Add your posts and comments to keep the conversation going! Commit to action by clicking HERE to stay up to date on Salon and social justice news.

For updates on Stowe Center programs and events, sign up for our enews at http://harrietbeecherstowe.org/email.

Friday, October 18, 2013

"Awkward Years Project"


In honor of Bullying Prevention Month, Instagram featured the story of Merilee Allred, a user who is utilizing social media to oppose bullying. The "Awkward Years Project" started when Merilee's friend asked to see her childhood photos (we all have those awkward, embarrassing photos), which happened to be taken during a time when she was bullied. Merilee explained that at first,
I had a hard time wanting to show any of them to her because I was embarrassed of those pictures and my past...But then it sparked this idea to hold up my younger picture in portraits as a before-and-after. I realized I wanted to start a project that highlights our awkward years..."Since I was teased and bullied, I thought it would be a good idea to raise awareness with it, and, maybe, hopefully help kids currently going through struggles, to let them know that life does get better.
Now, Merilee runs an Instagram photo series and blog which encourage viewer submissions of "then and now" photos to raise awareness of bullying and give hope to those who are subject to its cruelties. To learn more and submit your own photos, visit http://awkwardyearsproject.com or follow Merilee on Instagram at @merileeloo. 

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