Feeling excited about what I was learning so far in reading Yurugu: An Afrikan-Centered Critique of European Cultural Thought and Behavior by Marimba Ani, I decided to share what I was doing on Threads. One of my Thriends (yes, that’s a thing) commented on it and I thought it might be cool to hear someone else’s perspective on the subject matter. What I appreciate about this experience is that in my learning and liberating out loud, I have been allowing myself the space and grace to do this journey my way. Slowly but surely, people along the way have decided to be a part of it, whether as mutual book worms, fellow futurists, or whatever other labels may apply to learning, thinking, and living in a way that is more congruent with collective wellbeing (which expands communities, borders and dimensions).

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to subscribe to limiting roles and functions and how that has stifled so much creativity and progress on micro and macro levels. But I have also been fascinated by the titles we give ourselves in the hopes of helping others to conceptualize who we say we are. JDaniel Richer is a Philosopher who found his way to reading Yurugu after a shift in geography and really thinking about his worldview in connection with being “transracially adopted.” With us both having shared experiences of unconventional religious upbringing and backgrounds, we got to explore whether that shaped our conditioning to be separated from body and spirit by the dominating culture. Having completely different life paths, we also got to talk about how the intersection of religion, education and occupation shape our connection to being African. I am thankful that he was open to it.

I wasn’t sure how this would pan out, but honestly, the more I learn to walk in faith (which we ironically touched upon) the more assured I feel that I am on the right path. We filmed this episode earlier in the week as I had an important book launch event to prepare for and travel to. I knew I needed to take a break from reading Yurugu so that I could be in the right headspace for what turned out to be a beautiful and enchanting 2-days of great conversation, love, sisterhood, support, and just all of the things that contribute to joy and healing for all involved. I got to be present in the moment visiting my co-founder, co-author and friend Dr. Tamika Sanders in her neck of the woods, Phoenix, AZ. Getting to experience open mic in their vibrant downtown arts district gave me such a level of safety and a feeling of home that feels rare these days. I even got to see Tamika’s talented daughter perform her first solo choreo at a dance competition.

Tamika graced us with an original poem inspired by our book!

When it came time for our book launch event, When the Path Changes: A Conversation on Resilience & Reinvention and our first guests arrived, I knew that even though I carry the weight of learning about the myriad of forces at play that seek to rob me and so many like me of our joy, I was RIGHT where I belonged. Tamika and I were loved and celebrated from the owner of the venue to the visionary who learned about us through Eventbrite and decided to take a chance. What struck me, and truthfully what continues to strike me is that each person there, regardless of their “identities” or “roles” knew that they were where they were supposed to be as well. We had the ability to be open and to share about our limitations we hope to shed and the dreams we hope to build. Elders blessed what we had to say, bought their copies and shared their wisdom, which is probably one of the highest honors.

So sitting here throughout my Sunday, where I cleaned my house, had a visit from a new friend who has been supporting me throughout my jewelry making journey and beyond (which I can’t wait to share about that in the future), catching up with a good friend from another state, cooking delicious brown stew chicken and rice and peas for myself, taking it slow editing in between the breaks, gives me a new appreciation for the “work” I do and the quality of life I am nurturing.

I am also thankful that I am able to take what I learn from my readings, some more controversial than others, but still very necessary in being able to fully Name the Distortion, so that we can live more freely and in connection with what’s good for our extended selves. I can name what is keeping me from my joy, so that I can get to reclaiming it in pretty much all that I do. I can also return to myself and my body so that I have the discernment to know when something is not good for my spirit.

I hope we all have AND exercise that choice.

Reflection Questions for the Week:

Think about the spaces (eg. school, work, church, family) where you were trained to wait for permission before acting on what your body already knew. What did that training cost you, and where do you still feel it operating?
Both Jay and I came up outside of the church, and we talked about how that shaped what we could see. What framework were you handed to make sense of right and wrong? How did that work out for you?
Ani documents the universalizing move: taking what is particular to European interiority and casting it as the fundamental condition of all humanity. Where have you absorbed that move as truth about yourself?
Speaking of self, where does your sense of self end? And what would change in how you move through the world if you extended it further?

You can check out the ">video version of this episode on YouTube.

Arc I: Naming the Distortion (Yurugu is as Yurugu Does Pt. 2)