Frank Dosier and his wife, Becky, are ready to sell Musician’s Workshop, where Frank started working when he was 16. The couple bought the business in 1977.
The more things (don’t) change: A Jew in Asheville
“Many of those who were interested in joining were community leaders, prominent in both business and philanthropy. These folks met all the qualifications for membership but were denied acceptance solely because they were Jewish — an obvious attempt to keep Jews in their place.”
My Story: I learned far more than I taught
“I would encourage anyone who’s interested in language and cultural exchange to put aside any fears or doubts they may have about becoming an ESOL tutor and give Literacy Together a try!”
Smart housing lies at the core of local crises
“It’s going to take a historic effort to close the gaps in housing supply that are close to the places where people work, shop and entertain themselves and where there may also be options for walking, biking or taking mass transit.”
No admittance: A Jew in Asheville
“In addition to emotional pain and suffering, selective membership based on race, color or religion can result in egregious restraint of trade.”
My Story: Random acts of kindness
“So, it looks like I’m now committed to acts of kindness toward strangers. I encourage everyone to give it a try.”
The Moshe Cohen laws: A Jew in Asheville
“There were also what I call the ‘Moshe Cohen laws,’ which were designed to marginalize members of the Jewish community and similarly minimize social interaction.”
Buncombe County must protect our communities from plastic pollution
“On balance, our ordinance would significantly reduce the amount of pollution, waste and greenhouse gases created to help county residents carry their groceries out of the store.”
The many faces of prejudice: A Jew in Asheville
“Both Jews and Blacks suffered due to white Christian bigotry, and this led to a certain amount of bonding.”
It’s time we stopped honoring racists
“Imagine there’s a small town called Bondageville, named after its distinguished founder, Samuel Ashe Bondage.”
The cultural divide: A Jew in Asheville
“There were three distinct cultures in the Asheville I grew up in, and describing the dynamics and relationships among them is difficult.”
Better pay can help solve local child care crisis
“To give Asheville families the support they need, the state legislature must prioritize tackling the multifaceted weaknesses in the child care labor market.”
The monumental toppling of Zeb Vance
“Instead, perhaps Asheville and Buncombe County should follow the British model of ‘retaining and explaining’ controversial monuments and statuary.”
The war years: A Jew in Asheville
“I rushed to the window in time to see one of my classmates from school throw a trash can through our front door, shouting ‘Jew! Jew! Jew!’”
Dear John Francis Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil IV (Jack)
“So, I’m asking you to consider that building excessive numbers of weapons factories may actually be causing war rather than preventing it.”
A Jew in Asheville: The Gospel According to Jerry
“Even as a young boy, I was aware that the intensity of local prejudice against Jews was increasing exponentially as the Nazi threat to the European Jews escalated.”
The myth of ‘Kudzilla’
“Coming on the heels of the disastrous environmental conditions during the Great Depression, the decision to plant kudzu was rational and even environmentally sound.”
My story: We need to protect our mountain forests
“Instead of leveling the woods in a property planned for development, a percentage of trees could be saved, especially mature trees that would help newly planted trees and others thrive.”
Whose space is public space?
“The people we exclude from public spaces, and the things we refer to as worthless, say a lot about what we value as a community.”
Groups work to strengthen and reimagine local food systems
“We must address classist and racist systems and structures through policy change, food sovereignty and food justice.”
Bad news, good news: The Gospel According to Jerry
“The African American community, in cooperation with UNC Asheville, has established a charter school, the P.E.A.K. Academy, which is specifically designed and staffed to give poor Black and other minority children a fair shot at a quality education.”
