The morning after Trump was elected I woke in a cold sweat, with puffy eyes and a life-changing decision: I will quit all creative pursuits and become a lawyer. The United States is fucked and more than art we need litigation. As the day wore on, I slowly remembered all the reasons I would not become a lawyer–no money for law school, a disdain for logic and legalese, my disinterest in looking professional, etc. As that idea quickly faded, it was replaced with just a question: Does art really matter?
There is one regional organization that would answer that question with a loud, “Heck Yes!” Alternative ROOTS was founded in 1976 at the Highlander Center in New Market, Tennessee, to respond to the specific needs of theater artists committed to social justice work (ROOTS is an acronym for “Regional Organization of Theaters in the South”). The organization quickly grew to include artists and activists of all stripes who were using creative ways to generate change and initiate world-changing conversations.
In their own words:
Alternate ROOTS is an organization based in the Southern USA* whose mission is to support the creation and presentation of original art, in all its forms, which is rooted in a particular community of place, tradition or spirit. As a coalition of cultural workers we strive to be allies in the elimination of all forms of oppression. ROOTS is committed to social and economic justice and the protection of the natural world and addresses these concerns through its programs and services.
The organization is perhaps best known for ROOTS Week, a six day annual meeting and artists’ retreat in Arden, North Carolina. For six days and nights hundreds of artists and activists from around the country gather to perform, sing, dance, discuss, organize, and heal together. This year’s theme is Re/New:
In this political climate we need to RENEW: to pull the wisdom from the past forward with us, to make it – and ourselves – new again. We’ll gather at ROOTS Week to renew our spirits, recover our histories, revive our arts/organizing practices, replenish our Creating-a-Better-World toolkits, and re-vision the future that we are working towards, together.
I recently had the opportunity to meet the new ROOTS Executive Director, Michelle Ramos, and ROOTS board member, Tamiko Ambrose Murray, for a thoughtful and passionate discussion about this inspiring organization.
How did each of you become involved with Alternate ROOTS?
Tamiko: I had just finished graduate school when I was invited to be a camp counselor for ROOTS week. I had never heard of them, but decided to take the offer. The very first meeting I attended was brought to order by singing…and I thought…wow…where am I?
That day was incredible. I witnessed people being open, brilliant artists and talking about eliminating oppression and building community. I left at the end of the day feeling like I had come home, that I had been a ROOTS member, and a cultural worker, before I even knew what that was. I also remember being a little bit upset, because ROOTS week had been happening for decades, 20 minutes from my house, and I was just now learning about it.
Michelle: I have been involved in arts advocacy, policy work, and activism nationally for many years, both as an attorney and as a retired dancer. In this world of advocacy there was this buzz about ROOTS week and Alternate ROOTS that would frequently surface. Alternate ROOTS was considered the gold standard and was something that everyone wanted to emulate or be a part of. I would also find myself in situations–on panels, conferences, etc.–with the then-director of Alternate ROOTS, Carlton Turner. Carlton was a great leader and a really big reason why the organization was so highly regarded. I admired him a great deal. So when I heard that he was stepping down, my first thought was, “Oh no!” But then my next thought was, “Who could fill this very important role?”
I started making a list of all the attributes the person would need. Who do I know with a background in arts advocacy, knowledge of policy and data, who is well connected at the national level? Who could be a good conduit for funding? When I finished the list I looked it over and thought, “Umm, this sounds like me!”
At first I talked myself out of applying because I am not from the South, and it was clear to me that whoever took on this role would need to have that background. But eventually I decided to throw my hat in the ring anyway. When they called me in for an interview I thought, “Oh how nice, they are being very gracious.” And even when they called to offer me the job I was sure they had intended to call the other candidate, I could not believe it! It was that overwhelming.
I now understand they recognized that I am someone who would honor the legacy of the organization while also getting it out into the broader world. Because the world needs what ROOTS has. ROOTS is a Southern organization that has national impact but is in a bit of denial about it.
