On Continuity, Sisterhood, Brotherhood and Forgiveness.

upcoming panelists talk it out!

It had been my intention to retire this blog - I mean, I've been blogging for a minute now. But then folks from all walks of life reach out to me - coming upon my blog through a variety of ways and a friend passes away and reminds me that there's something to the power of keep on keepin' on.

I really wanted Brook Stephenson to see my latest piece for NBCBLK about Jason Reynolds.  Brook Stephenson was one of the brainchilds behind The Rhode Island Writer's Colony and this is where I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Jason Reynolds. It was just Brook, Jason and myself most of the time and  I could not have asked for a better homecoming (return to the States) than to land in house with them both.  It was like I received a crash-course in what has been happening in the States (literarily speaking), and getting into politics from a global perspective.  It was like landing a refuge where I had the best companions/brothers/caretakers - I'm not kidding you: it was food for my soul. I'll never forget knitting the green and yellow hat for Brook, the dinners and jokes, the quiet conversations I had, mostly with Brook about writing, our future, our present. His genuine interest in Kai, my son. At that point I was convinced I was moving back to New York - I really wanted to and to some extent- it makes a lot of sense. But that's counter to this gnawing feeling I've had ever since I was a child that part of my purpose was to travel, to live in foreign, even alien land, to observe and write from that perspective. And that is what I do. In any event, Jason Reynolds and Brook Stephenson really showed me the strength of brotherhood and sisterhood.

listening to other perspectives

On September 4th I will be moderating a panel discussion entailed Women are Powerful and Dangerous. It's the first ever panel for women of color here in Denmark. This past Saturday some of the panelists and myself met up at Theater Director's Sananda Solaris' house a bit outside of Denmark. The setting was a magnificent backdrop to what was borne there that day: a commitment to offering solidarity and support to each other. Women of color have to free ourselves from the dictates of a capitalist, patriarchal and hierarchical  structure. It is these very structures which bind us - prevent us from living lives lived full. To be a woman of color does not necessarily mean that you have suffered, but most likely, it means you have an intimate knowledge of what it means however.

expressing ourselves.

Being in the company of these powerful women emphasized the fact that a space is needed for our convening, talking, sharing, healing - especially here in Europe and in particular Denmark in our cases- where we are often rendered invisible and silent. No more said the women in unison!

Last week I had the distinct pleasure of working with Sarita Covington and Emily Berry - both dancers from New York who traveled to Denmark as part of their " Forgiveness Project". We worked with the Grade 9s from Copenhagen City School on the idea of "Forgiveness" - we etched a little space in all of the calamity of modern living to plant the seed of making time to reflect and let go. I am confident that the work we did with them will blossom in the future and remind them to always take space to reckon with their lives. It is an important lesson. 

Now it's time for me to get back to that proposal writing - and continuing the journey to a life more authentic.  I am excited to continue to work with platforms that support the perspective of a woman of color who has been living as an expat in Denmark for 16 years - and who will appreciate the experiences that I have culled thus far. 

I am also pleased to say that it is all coming together. Slowly, but surely. And I am also pleased to announce, inspired by Brook and the many people who continue to contact me through Blackgirl on Mars that I will continue this blog and keep you, my loyal readers, posted on a life far from home. 

Thank you for reading, 

Lesley-Ann