Hey friends,
There are few people who top my idol list more than Nina Simone. Her voice speaks to us whether shes singing from the piano or being interviewed about being free.
What is freedom to me?
No Fear!
- Nina Simone
I’ve been thinking a lot about fear and freedom - the interplay between them. For Nina Simone it is the absence of fear that leads to freedom. But for others, it is their freedom from accountability that creates fear for those around them.
We’ve seen this throughout history. From the murder of Emmett Till and the freedom from any consequence for Carolyn Bryant (who just recently died at the hands of old age, not at the hands of hatred and racism) to most recently the murder of Jordan Neely at the literal hands of Daniel Penny (who has had no charges and is being praised as a hero by many).
I can’t imagine a world where my actions didn’t have consequences. It goes against all the ways I was raised to survive as a Black woman, but also… I want actions to have consequences. I want there to be a common just code that we all adhere to- one that honors everyone’s human dignity. Anything less is chaos, is supremacy. Is fear-making not freedom-creating.
Tell me, what is freedom to you? Do you have it? How are you making it available for everyone?
A FEW OTHER THINGS FOR YOU THIS WEEK…
Highly recommend this article about Jordan Neely.
I’ll be meeting with my Patreon Troublemakers over zoom on May 18th - if you are looking for more community in your racial justice pursuit you are more than welcome to join us! Join the Patreon and look for the invite.
Are y’all watching Queen Charlotte? I LOVE IT!
A WORD
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.”
― Alice Walker
Stay wild and holy and free,
Austin
PS If you haven’t ordered I’m Still Here (Young Readers Version) - get your copy today!!
BOOKSHOP | AMAZON | AUDIBLE | TARGET | BARNES & NOBLE
One essence of freedom is “live and let live”, the idea that my freedom stops where it impinges on your right to live.
Freedom- I don’t even know what people mean when they say that word (not you, Austin). Worrying about gun violence makes me feel very not free. Carrying my keys in between my knuckles doesn’t make me feel free. Being in the ocean makes me feel free. Putting my hands in the soil of my garden makes me feel free. So... it’s complicated.
And hell yes to Queen Charlotte. However much I loved Lady Danbury before - it’s limitless now💕💕