ACTIVIST SPOTLIGHT: RYAN D. MATTHEWS

Ryan at Pete’s Candy Store

My name is Ryan D. Matthews and, in addition to being a writer myself, I’m the host and curator of The Rally Reading Series. The Rally was born on an overly warm, though still bitter November morning, after the crushing loss of the 2016 election. A number of writers had gathered in a Brooklyn dining room to brainstorm about how to combat what was certain to be a presidential term animated by racist, sexist, and xenophobic policies that would demand an active political response. As we sat before the white board, one suggested idea was the creation of a political reading series. A number of us were excited by the proposal and collaborated to find a venue, create a website and social media presence, and solicit writers with a political bent.

In February of 2017, the first Rally Reading Series was held at Pete’s Candy Store in Williamsburg. Now, on the first Thursday of each month three readers—often novelists, non-fiction writers, poets, or journalists—share work that feels politically essential.

Each show we also give the readers a chance to suggest either an organization for the audience to donate to, a call to service, a recommendation for sparking debate within the community, or suggestions of how to confront prejudice or injustice. Since the Rally’s inception we’ve raised thousands for small- and medium-sized non-profits, less prominent causes that don't get the recognition that larger organizations often do.

In the five years since our first show, we’ve hosted internationally renowned, award-winning writers like Julia Phillips, Alejandro Varela, Hillary Jordan, Lidia Yuknavitch, and Kaitlyn Greenidge. Readers have discussed topics such as the treatment and marginalization of migrants, discrimination against the LGBTQIA community, transphobia, disability rights, racism, sexual assault—and, of course, gun violence, a topic I’m particularly passionate about.

Over the years we’ve partnered with several like-minded organizations such as PEN America, to feature an incarcerated poet reading his work via audio recording to commemorate the 1971 Attica Prison uprising, and most election seasons we collaborate on a reading with The Rumpus. We’ve also hosted shows with Guernica Magazine, The Seventh Wave, Lambda Literary, and Words Without Borders.

Last month’s show was in support of the uprising in Iran and featured Negin Farsad, Neda Toloui-Semnani, and Nilo Tabrizy. It was by far the largest show to date and we raised well over $1,000 for Reporters Without Borders, an organization that defends the right of every human being to access free and reliable information, a cause vital to the Iranian people—within the country’s borders and in the diaspora—currently fighting for their freedom.

Since our launch, the mission has remained the same, to spark dialogue that moves great political writing into the streets to encourage direct action. We hope to continue to grow and to collaborate with partner organizations. It’s my belief that collective civic action is more urgent than ever. Follow the Rally on Twitter @RallyReading and Instagram @RallyReadingSeries for upcoming shows and causes!