Letter From The Editor
Y’all I’m tired.
But that’s what 2020 does to us. It grinds us down. And out of the grounds, I – we, all of us, donors, readers, writers, creatives – brewed up TAUNT.
There is not a single person who contributed to this first issue that wasn’t already maxed out on time and energy. But beyond all reason, we found a way because we refuse to accept a Louisville that accepts the status quo. From the protestors in the streets to those of you biting your tongue and breaking rules on the sly at your job to folks kicking so hard gatekeepers are tumbling from their posts.
TAUNT is an experiment in transparency and whole-hearted honesty in “Journalism.” This is a publication that won’t pretend the writer you’re reading isn’t carrying their experiences and emotions into their work. That won’t pretend like y’all don’t have 25 mutual friends on Facebook because this city ain’t that big. That falls somewhere between news and personal essay. Because this shit is both personal and relevant.
And as long as the money lasts and y’all keep reading, we’ll keep working at figuring out what TAUNT is and how to best tell these Louisville stories.
Until then…
Pay writers. Pay artists. Do it on time. Support local.
<3 Minda Honey
Table of Contents
The Things
We Carried
ALLIE FIREEL
Here are stories and memories of belongings we found when protestors dumped their bags. We hope to help provide a window into the physical realities of the people in the streets, and the weight of the things they carry.
#HUNGERSTRUCK
Shauntrice Martin
As she works to open her own grocery store in West Louisville, Shauntrice held a two-week hunger strike to call attention to and demand remedy for what she considers to be racist practices by the grocery retail chain. What follows, is a mostly unedited missive Shauntrice wrote on the 11th day of her hunger strike.
Let Me Give You Innovation: Gentrification, Louisville, And The Search For Motivation
Kaitlyn Soligan Owens
“Gentrification is a process, but processes don’t occur in a vacuum. Gentrification doesn’t do things; people do things. Capitalism doesn’t unilaterally make decisions that change a neighborhood, a city, a life; people make decisions, hands up in helpless deference to the gods that they serve, as though there’s no way to change the fate of the occupants of the homes we build on these foundations we’ve discussed. But a house can’t make a thief or a liar or a late-stage capitalist squeezing every penny of labor out of suffering workers of you. You have to decide who you want to be and what you can live with. Even when we don’t have great choices, we still have to make a choice. Change isn’t inherently good or bad, but the real, lived consequences changes have on people often are.”
Thank You For Your Time, Effort And Thoughtfulness
Lance Newman II
Those privileged enough to see the word ‘congratulations’ in their grant application responses, will read these words and challenge the bitterness they were written with. These privileged few will go on to ask, “Well, do you know what they were looking for?” or “maybe you should’ve worded this differently” or “Maybe you should hire a grant writer.” To these folk I say, “I AM STARVING!”
Brat (Almost) 25 Years Later
Liz Palmer
“Nearly 25 years later, we’re no longer teens, or youth, or even young adults, just grown-ass people, and we’re watching in horror as disasters unfold daily on our screens. But we also see minute-by-minute updates about youth-driven activism addressing climate, racism, war, police brutality, or a host of other issues. That activism is inspiring and necessary, though when we were young people, it was a struggle to inspire large numbers of our peers to take similar decisive actions. ”
Thank You To Our Friends 🖤
Spencer Jenkins
Spencer graciously welcomed TAUNT under his umbrella at Queer Kentucky to help us launch. This is a partnership, a friendship, and a momentum that cannot be stopped. Please visit and support Queer Kentucky’s fight for LGBTQ+ visibility in the Bluegrass State.
David Welker
David Welker designed our TAUNT logo and the STATUS QUO social media teasers. He is also designing our upcoming merch (Crop tops are coming, y’all!).
Jon Fleischaker & Michael Abate
Jon and Michael were unbelievably generous with their time and encouraging of TAUNT’s mission to toy with what Louisville’s media scene should look like.
Josh Moss
Thank you to Joss Moss for his mentorship and early enthusiasm for TAUNT. TAUNT appreciate’s Louisville Magazine’s collaborative spirit in helping spread the word about the new kid on the scene.
Deedra Tate
Deedra Tate and Don Meredith Co. printed our big ol’ thank you postcards. And they did the things you want most out of a printer – For the job to be fast and done right. If you’re trying to get a handwritten thank you in the mail, donate to TAUNT.
Our 300+ Donors
Folks from all over the country tossed cash TAUNT’s way during a global pandemic because they believed in Minda and the believed Louisville is a city worthy of the nation’s concern. Let’s get heard.