What Are We Gonna Make Irresistible?
Dear Troublemakers,
One of my very favorite quotes is from Toni Cade Bambara - “the role of the artist is make the revolution irresistible.” That is such a part of what I try to do in my justice work; to have it rooted in joy and creativity and vision for a future with fewer isms and whole lot more dignity and humanity.
Notice that she doesn’t say make the revolution “happen” or “be productive” or “popular.” But make it irresistible. Such an alive word. Dare I say delicious. Difficult to resist.
Perhaps that is why white nationalists and those with dreams of authoritarianism are going after the authors these days, those who write and create and dream and challenge in ways that break through geography and time. Because their words have the power to change everything, to ignite and validate and threaten and awaken.
Has any artist done that for you? Would love to hear. We need all the irresistibility we can get these days.
A FEW MORE THINGS FOR YOU THIS WEEK…
Let’s start out with something fun because this week was no joke, y’all. I could have used about 6 more hours of the Janet Jackson documentary. Loved it!
I’m ready for a progressive Black woman to be on the Supreme Court.
Authors and librarians are on the front lines of book banning but we can't do this alone y'all. Oh and speaking of book bans (because again apparently that is the real risk to our children today - words and ideas smh) pay close attention to the books people try to ban. Then make a beeline to read those books if you can. Find out for yourself why those people want that book banned.
WEEKLY WISDOM
“Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation.” - Coretta Scott King
Stay wild and holy and free,
- Austin
PS Happy first day of Black History Month! How are you celebrating?
This month I'm reading Willie James Jennings, "The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race." A friend offered to read it with me so we can talk about it.
Thank you so much for the, "...make the revolution irresistible." quote! It's going up on my fridge!
A few of the authors+ who have broken through time and geography (and all the other hurdles) and informed and inspired my commitment to revolution:
You, Austin Channing Brown,
Ibram X Kendi,
Baratunde Thurston,
Louise Erdrich (shout out to the Petoskey District Library for holding a community read of The Night Watchman).