I am holding so many feelings and had to take several deep breaths reading this. “Joy hums in minor keys is an affirmation.” I’m reminded of the hums of our ancestors as a self soothing practice I think Camille mentioned one time.
Thank you for holding space to mourn the realities of genocide all around us. We cannot let it be ordinary...even as they try to convince us it is.
Rose, this means so much to me. Thank you. Yes - I remember Camille mentioning this about the humming! I think I read something similar in My Grandmother's Hands, too.
Genocide is a horror. Yes, we will not let it be ordinary.
Achingly, tenderly said. “Joy hums in a minor key” is such a perfect image for this season. I join you going through the motions of my day - school pickup, dinner prep - with an aching heart.
I agree with you about Star Trek and the desire to watch TV in which good people (not perfect, but good) strive for good things. Feels like every time I hear about a "great" new show it is either shockingly violent, or peopled with characters with no redeeming qualities. It may be beautifully written and filmed, but the world is sad enough. I can't spend my leisure time with the soul-less and morally bankrupt. It's the same with books. I need to care about characters and so many "literary" books ask me to spend time with truly terrible people doing terrible things. It's discouraging. I suppose it's a reflection of what people are seeing in the world, maybe? But we seem to be fetishizing depravity.
There are some things that I just can't watch, either, Tara. I know that some works are bearing witness to the worst in us, and the state of the world. Others, I think are doing the diabolical work of desensitization to violence, and I wonder to what end.
I do think that hope and horror always co-exist, and so their artistic expressions will also. I just like my proportions to be hope-heavy and full of resistance. I bet you do, too.
“Why wouldn’t I want to watch or read the evidence of things I hope for, but can’t yet see? I need to take note of grace wherever I find it.” I’ve never watched Star Trek before- I think I just always avoided it. But this like right here made me interested. I can feel the desire to feel and experience something different. The world feels like a long drawn out dystopian novel.
It does, Marc. It does feel like a dystopian novel. We must bathe in the graces we have.
(Star Trek Discovery has been so fun to watch - once I got through the first season -- because of Michael's journey into becoming herself and valuing her own power and tenderness, which makes her keen on seeing the power and tenderness of others. And I really enjoyed Picard and Strange New Worlds, too, for the whimsy and introspection and innovation they employ to mend relationships.
Such a beautiful piece. I do wish you, and all of us, a merciful new year.
Yes. Yes. Same to you.
Okay those Octavia Butler novels tho... 😳
Prophetic.
Insanely so. I never read any until last year and I’m not sure my mind has ever been more blown.
I am holding so many feelings and had to take several deep breaths reading this. “Joy hums in minor keys is an affirmation.” I’m reminded of the hums of our ancestors as a self soothing practice I think Camille mentioned one time.
Thank you for holding space to mourn the realities of genocide all around us. We cannot let it be ordinary...even as they try to convince us it is.
Rose, this means so much to me. Thank you. Yes - I remember Camille mentioning this about the humming! I think I read something similar in My Grandmother's Hands, too.
Genocide is a horror. Yes, we will not let it be ordinary.
Whew lemme fix this: I meant “Joy hums in minor keys” is an affirmation. 🫶🏾
Achingly, tenderly said. “Joy hums in a minor key” is such a perfect image for this season. I join you going through the motions of my day - school pickup, dinner prep - with an aching heart.
Yes, Lindsey. We hope, in solidarity, for the advent of mundane peace -- dinner prep, school, errands -- for every person under siege right now.
I agree with you about Star Trek and the desire to watch TV in which good people (not perfect, but good) strive for good things. Feels like every time I hear about a "great" new show it is either shockingly violent, or peopled with characters with no redeeming qualities. It may be beautifully written and filmed, but the world is sad enough. I can't spend my leisure time with the soul-less and morally bankrupt. It's the same with books. I need to care about characters and so many "literary" books ask me to spend time with truly terrible people doing terrible things. It's discouraging. I suppose it's a reflection of what people are seeing in the world, maybe? But we seem to be fetishizing depravity.
Yes!! I absolutely love sci fi but recently my threshold for dystopia is so very low. I’ll have to try Star Trek!
There are some things that I just can't watch, either, Tara. I know that some works are bearing witness to the worst in us, and the state of the world. Others, I think are doing the diabolical work of desensitization to violence, and I wonder to what end.
I do think that hope and horror always co-exist, and so their artistic expressions will also. I just like my proportions to be hope-heavy and full of resistance. I bet you do, too.
I was nodding my head to every line. “Merciful new year” is much easier to say. Thank you for writing and sharing.
You understand! Thank you, Ambata, for reading. Merciful New Year to you.
Sharifa, you write words that my heart understands. So needed, too. Thank you❤️
Ah, Trish. Thank you. 🥹
Every line of your last paragraph felt pulled from my own breaking heart. Thank you for this. Your words are powerful & prophetic.
I hope that in the same way we're currently kin in brokenheartedness, we become co-witnesses to miracles.
This is sooooo heartachingly beautiful. 🩵🩵🩵
Ah, Marla, thank you.
The way I feel this....whew. Merciful New Year to you, Beloved. And each of us.
Also, this is why your book is so important. It is a resistance.
Thank you, friend. I still struggle sometimes with feeling it's frivolous. But I keep hearing the counter so I receive it. 🤲🏽
I second what Sharifa said about your book, friend. 🩵🩵🩵
🥰🫂
Amen, Nya. May it be so!
How succinctly you put what my soul feels beside you in every word! You are not alone.
Thank you for saying that! And hugs.
“Why wouldn’t I want to watch or read the evidence of things I hope for, but can’t yet see? I need to take note of grace wherever I find it.” I’ve never watched Star Trek before- I think I just always avoided it. But this like right here made me interested. I can feel the desire to feel and experience something different. The world feels like a long drawn out dystopian novel.
It does, Marc. It does feel like a dystopian novel. We must bathe in the graces we have.
(Star Trek Discovery has been so fun to watch - once I got through the first season -- because of Michael's journey into becoming herself and valuing her own power and tenderness, which makes her keen on seeing the power and tenderness of others. And I really enjoyed Picard and Strange New Worlds, too, for the whimsy and introspection and innovation they employ to mend relationships.