A week after the 2024 presidential election, writer Maggie Smith initiated a project titled “My Own Project 2025,” emphasizing intentions like “No self-abandonment.” After sharing her thoughts with poet Saeed Jones, they collaborated to create The People’s Project: Poems, Essays, and Art for Looking Forward, an anthology featuring 27 contributors. Published swiftly, it encompasses diverse voices reflecting on themes from parenting trans children to the lack of women leaders in fascist regimes.
The book is described as a “toolkit for the interior life of the activist,” intertwining personal narratives and historical perspectives. Contributors were chosen based on personal connections, aiming to create a lasting relevance. Smith and Jones envision it as a personal survival guide rather than merely a tactical resistance manual, illustrating the necessity of art in navigating political challenges. Their conversation touches on contemporary issues like the ICE apprehending firefighters mid-service, affirming the anthology’s urgent relevance in today’s socio-political climate.
Smith and Jones will present the book at a reading and discussion event on September 13, 2025, at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington.
