It’s Friday, and it’s a new month—why not celebrate?
I’ll start the celebration by reminding you, dear reader, that I named this substack When and Where I Enter in honor of the late activist Anna Julia Cooper, a Black scholar who studied at Columbia University (my alma mater), and was one of the first Black people to earn a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Paris at the age of 67—after she finished raising her grandnieces and nephews following the death of her brother. I couldn’t be more in awe of this scholar, writer, lecturer, and mother who forged a path for so many of us.
Anna Julia Cooper was presciently aware of the intersection of her gender, race, and geography—her social location—and how these attributes affected her welcome or exclusion from spaces open to other U.S. citizens. She fervently believed that the educational advancement of Black women was integral to the health of the American Black community. She embodied her vision. Dr. Cooper was born enslaved in North Carolina, and died the same year that the Civil Rights Act was signed into law. She wrote for freedom as a human right, and used the acceptance and freedom of Black women as a metric of the veracity of the country’s civil rights claims.
As a Christian Black woman walking on the freedom trail that Dr. Cooper blazed, I want to use this space to observe the facets (loving, grueling, whimsical, poignant—because life isn’t all serious) of these intersections through short personal reflections. I admire the folks who write long form essays because that is so not me. I am curious about economy; I want to use the fewest words to make a point. I love poetry and lyrics and pauses.
Things I am celebrating:
You’re here, reading this. I am so grateful for you—your time and attention are little miracles to me. Do you know how lovely a gift it is that you are here? Thank you.
Tanya Chutkan and Fani Willis exist. Lord, keep them safe.
I might be writing a book soon. (When I know more, I’ll share more.)
My youngest has taken to reading OT historical books on his own. I wish you could hear his commentary on David. (If he agrees to record a podcast with me, after I learn how to record a podast, I’ll post it for paid subscribers!) I live in a house full of theologians (so are you, honestly)!
Erging for a month so far. Any of you use rowing machines? I am a strange combination of bored and obsessed. Bored because it’s quite repetitive, yet obsessed because the low impact is gentle on my joints, but the workout is challenging. I don’t sound like damp Rice Krispies after working out anymore! I am celebrating because I never considered myself an athlete. I underestimated my ability to get stronger. But I can do this.
We have had four days of weather under 100º. It was averaging 105º for weeeeeeks, and the reprieve has been lovely.
Positive self-talk. I am trimming the power of the Inner Critic, who, with my own voice, ruled my life mercilessly. All the Enneagram 1s know that this is an undertaking.
Books! This year, I have been reading brave, beautiful works. Here is a lil sample:
Everybody Come Alive by
. This memoir is poetic, honest, and nostalgic. A love letter to Black women. Marcie’s Substack is brilliant, so I hope you’re subscribed there.Everything Sad Is Untrue. I read through this memoir from the perspective of a 12-year-old and immediately read through it again with my children.
The Storyline Project. My friend Kat wrote a series of studies that observe literary symbology threading through the Bible. I’ve gotten so many aha moments from her work.
Heavy. Kiese Laymon’s memoir is devastating. It is a love letter and an indictment. I don’t know what else to say. Prepare yourself. Thank you for the recommendation,
!Poverty, by America. This book is profoundly simple in elucidating the strategic wealth gaps we as a society choose to perpetuate. A damning, necessary read.
What My Bones Know was recommended to me by
and I am grateful. It’s hard to combine information about Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and memoir, but Stephanie Foo does it well.Finding Me. Good gracious, Viola Davis has been through some thangs. This memoir is an ode to dark-skinned Black women who forge space out of talent and will. I wish it wasn’t necessary. But I am grateful for this gift of a book.
The Hero and the Whore. Okay, this book isn’t out yet, but I am excited about
’s first book, which takes a nuanced and redemptive look at sexually exploited women in the Bible.Raising Free People. This book about unschooling helped me to ask better questions regarding my boys’ education. Listening to Akilah Richards (author) read with Jamaican lilts and cadences was everything.
What are y’all reading right now? What are you celebrating this month?
One of my favorite authors is Elizabeth Acevedo (her YA novel in verse called The Poet X is incredible!) and she just came out with her first work of adult fiction called Family Lore. I started it last night, and thus far it has not disappointed! It centers around a Dominican family in New York, and has some well-done magical realism.
I CANNOT WAIT TO READ YOUR BOOK OMG. And I love the books you posted (I've read 6 of them). I just listened to the final Fare of the Free Child podcast with Akilah Richards. Loved her book, and I'll be quoting in my unschooling book.