The Optimistic Anthropologist Vol. 13

Happy Halloween! Fear, Courage, Community & 25+ New Opportunities!

October 31, 2018

 October 2018, Volume 13View this email in your browser

Dear ,

Happy Halloween!  A year ago, I wrote about

, but the holiday traces its origins back 2000 years to the ancient Celtic Pagan festival of

.  Samhain marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter.  It was believed that on this day of transition, when the spirits returned to earth (and even their former homes), to be appeased with offerings in return for ensuring that people and their livestock survived the long, cold winter.

Samhain, and by extension Halloween, are communal ways of confronting fear.  And there is something inspiring and very relevant today, that in the face of environmental, economic, social, and political forces beyond our control, people have always been audacious. They have come together in communities, shared food, gone door-to-door, and worn creative costumes as ways of confronting fear.

There is a lot to be fearful of in our country (and in other countries) right now.  And while the environmental, economic, social, political, and technological forces creating this fear are different than two thousand years ago, I am struck by how the activities for confronting them remains evergreen.  

In American elections, much like with Samhain and Halloween, we see communities come together, food being shared, neighbors knocking on doors, and even some creative costumes.  

So, as we head into a new month, consider extending the spirit of Halloween for another week and help get out the vote. And please make sure to vote on November 6 (or now if you are in a state with early voting).

  Or in the words of Zora Neale Hurston, “Grab the broom of anger and drive off the beast of fear.”

Be well and do good,Alison

P.S. I'll be in Detroit from November 6-10 to attend

's

.  If you're going to be in attending the conference,

  I'd love to be able to connect with you, and connect members of the Optimistic Anthropology network to one another!

New On The Website

touching on the history of Compstat; narratives about poverty, measuring awe, and what happens when boards focus on “diversity of perspective” & more!

We're pleased to welcome the

and

to our community of clients and collaborators.

Wishes For You This Month

One of our core beliefs at Optimistic Anthropology is that serious work on complex problems can and should be approached with joy and curiosity. That's why occasionally on Mondays,

in hopes that it will keep you (and us) inspired and motivated.

Job, Consulting, and Fellowship Opportunities

We love connecting people to each other and to great opportunities. This month the Optimistic Anthropology network shared more than 25 job, consulting, and fellowship opportunities that they are recruiting for.  

Also hat tip to our friends at

for featuring "

" in

.

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