The death of a warrior, Michaelann Bewsee made Springfield a better communityDate: 8/21/2019 So I had a column all ready written when I learned the news that Michaelann Bewsee had passed. I knew I had to throw out what I had done and start from scratch.
Michaelann was the head of Arise for Social Justice. I had met her many years before 1999 when I joined Reminder Publishing, when she was working for the Valley Advocate, which had an office in Springfield.
When I started covering Springfield, I became re-acquainted with her. It was impossible to ignore Michaelann due to her passion and persistence. She was determined to make living in Springfield better for everyone, but especially for those who had been marginalized.
Although politically Michaelann and I were frequently on the same wavelength, there were times we clashed over issues, especially involving my neighborhood of Maple High Six Corners.
I knew that her heart was always in the right place, though.
Michaelann and the coalition created to combat air pollution and its effects on health made a significant contribution to the region by opposing the proposed biomass plant planned for Springfield. Her organization, Arise, challenged the status quo about police issues, as well. She was among the leaders to bring ward representation back to the city.
Michaelann was a recipient of a William Pynchon Award and she certainly deserved it.
Springfield City Councilor Jesse Lederman was very close to her and posted these remarks on Facebook, “Michaelann Bewsee was a relentless advocate for people and causes that society too often ignored. She was endlessly compassionate, fiercely committed, and uncorrupted in her goal to seek justice. To her last day she sought no recognition, nor was she willing to compromise her values or take the easy way out, even during the toughest fights. Through her organizing, Springfield saw some of its most transformational changes, including the transition to Ward Representation on the City Council and the emergence of an environmental movement that brought awareness to the state of air quality and impending impacts of climate change on our city’s most vulnerable communities. Through her work, she inspired multiple generations of advocates and leaders, and helped people of all walks of life to find their power and have a voice in government. Springfield is a better community because of Michaelann and her work, and we are better people for having known her. Emila and I are holding Michaelann’s family and friends close in our hearts, and urge all to pause and recognize the life of this remarkable Springfield resident, mother, Activist, and friend.”
Michaelann was the kind of pain in the backside we desperately need in our country. She was someone willing to put his or herself on the line to advance the status of our community. She did what she did not for monetary gain, but for the true advancement of our community.
We need more people like her.
Food for thought
Former Congressman Barney Frank testified before the Cannabis Control Commission recently and, according to Colin A. Young of the State House News Service, said, “The fundamental inconsistency between the way marijuana is regulated and the way alcohol is regulated and cigarettes is one of the causes, I think, of the anger and distrust for the political system, so we have a chance here to kind of reconcile people in our society.”
Frank does make a good point. The Commonwealth has had centuries dealing with the sale of alcohol so one would think cannabis wouldn’t require the amount of regulation that it has. Why not treat it like booze?
I’m willing to guess the reason is linked to the fact that cannabis is only legal state-by-state. Perhaps if the federal government would legalize and tax cannabis is the same way it does tobacco the situation will be different.
Having reported on the cannabis issue, I can see that industry is not one destined to be a mom and pop style of entry-level business. It’s far easier to sell alcohol despite all of the issues that accompany it.
I see cannabis as an economic engine that could provide communities with revenue and jobs. My concern is the state regulations have given the advantage to large and well-funded companies to get into the cultivation and sale of cannabis.
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