Making space & sharing space: MoHagani Magnetek's compassionate, creative, and courageous work building community

“Fire does not put out fire, but we have other tools out there, like wind and water and kindness and love.” 

- from MoHagani's acceptance speech

What does the word “Humanities” mean to you?

To say culture, history, language and art would not be enough to capture the nuances of being human, yet when I think of humanities I think of the humanness and the capacity for compassion and empathy that resides in many people, and hope. I do my best to increase compassion and empathy in the world at every opportunity I get.

You went to school in Anchorage, then left the state for a while and returned. What called you back to Alaska?

Interestingly enough, the memories that stuck with me the most about Alaska during those years I was away were Alaska’s multiculturalism and diversity… [I think] multiculturalism perfectly describes language, ethnicity and cultural diversity in Alaska, especially in Alaska’s major cities such as Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau. Currently my job has me traveling frequently all over the country and I kid you not, I get homesick for Alaska’s diversity after three days of being away! Alaska’s ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity outshines many if not most states in the USA.

I remember when you first starting hosting the Poetry Slam in Anchorage; and how scared and excited I was to participate. What motivated you to create this community event? What are the most joyful aspects of this event, for you?

One of the challenges with poetry readings and open mic poetry events is that too often poets do not share and perform their best. I wanted a poetry event that would hold the attention of the audience and encourage poets to do their best so I created the platform of the $100 Cash Prize Poetry Slam. I used my own money with no sponsorship because this was my way of giving to the community. The structure of the poetry slam with its cash prize, local celebrity judges, three rounds, a monthly theme, the audience and of course the atmosphere of The Writer’s Block Bookstore & Cafe were solid gold makings for a good time. As the emcee and organizer of the event, I aimed to establish a safe place for all kinds of poets at every skill or knowledge level. I think it is the recurring theme of encouragement that boils my tea water. I have seen poets who have never stood in front of a crowd before speak their hearts with confidence. I have seen quite a few of the poetry slam winners go on to study poetry and creative writing in higher education, and have seen some go on to write and publish books.

“I accept myself, the person I am and the person I am becoming 100% and because I am not going to allow the world to minimize and marginalize me, I refuse to allow the world to minimize and marginalize anyone. To me, community is not defined by margins and boundaries, rather community is all of us in the center with a multiplicity of voices sharing space and making space by exhibiting compassion and empathy for one another.”

Was there a key moment in your life when you just knew it was your calling to do what you do? Is there a story you can share?

My parents have always taught and shown me the importance of looking beyond my own immediate needs and desires, to be there and help others whenever help is needed. I have been a community activist, organizer and advocate since I was 14 years old in some capacity or another for a multitude of causes…It is actually a challenge for me to list my current and past community services endeavors because to me, being of service to the community is commonplace and my day-to-day life. Even in moments where I am drowning in my own sorrows and self-pity, if anyone needs my help, I will spring into action. This is just who I am. Thus my life is a key moment in community service.

Some young people refer to you affectionately as “Auntie MoHagani.” Why is it important to you to engage young people, and what does that look like?

It has been a little over 5 years now since folks started calling me, “Auntie MoHagani” and at the time I couldn’t understand or figure out how and why I began to receive such an honorific. It’s an endearing term of both recognition and respect that I am someone who cares about others in an elder/parent/mentor manner yet is fun to be around while simultaneously encouraging young people to do the right thing… be good to themselves and be good to others. To be truthful, many of the same young people who call me Auntie MoHagani also affectionately call me Auntie Mo-nagging-Me! Which I totally get because I am relentless when it comes to truth, justice and community. I can be very tautological by repeating the same messages in other ways when I have something in my heart to say. I have a poem titled, “Just, Be Yourself” that I often recite publicly- the message in the poem is that we all have a right to be weird, nerdy, introverted or sassy and that we all have the capacity to achieve all we dream. So whenever I have an opportunity, I tell young people that they are loved and to believe in themselves.

You’ve been described as a mental health advocate; can you share what you see as the connection between mental health + community building + humanities?

Since I was first diagnosed with PTSD and Bipolar Disorder while I was active duty Coast Guard and began to attend group therapy in 2011 at an outpatient hospital in Staten Island, New York, I learned that because there’s so much stigma surrounding all forms of mental illness, many people decide to not disclose and share openly their ailments and in many cases, there are people who are unwilling to accept their diagnoses and get help because they are afraid of stigmatization.

Therefore, I made it my personal charge to always talk openly and honestly about my mental health journey… sharing my story helps others who wish not to share and are suffering in silence. Sharing my story of coping, managing my symptoms and practicing self-care, helps people who are learning how to cope and deal with triggers and symptoms. Sharing my story helps people who have loved ones with mental illness to have more empathy, compassion and understanding for their loved ones. We strengthen each other, we strengthen our communities and the humanities as a whole by sharing those vulnerable aspects of ourselves and all the things that make us human.