The Adventures of a recently published author.
It's been a little over three weeks now since the official publication of my book, and it truly has been an overwhelmingly positive experience. At first, I was a bit intimidated - but then I reminded myself that that was all part of the process and in fact a sign that I was doing the right thing. Since its publication I hear from someone every day (thank you readers!) about how much they connected with Decolonial Daughter: Letters from a Black Woman to her European Son. This feedback from you the readers gift me with the experience of realising that I have been successful in what I had set out to do. This is no small thing.
There has been a lot happening, so I'll have to follow this up with more posts. One of the themes in my book is that of radical heal, or as Alanna Lockward reminded me this past BE.BOP 2108: Coalitions Facing White Innocence (more on this later!) decolonial healing. This book is a physical manifestation of a chapter in my life being over, and a more conscious creation of the life that I deserve. Every day I wake up and make a conscious decision to focus on my everyday healing. This is integral to my reaching my goal of calm and strength, and being able to give back to my community. I know that the healthier I am, the healthier my community will be as well. Making this commitment often means that I prioritise quiet and solitude. As I get older I have become less tolerant of talking.
One of the aspects of healing I am focused on at the moment, is the relationship between the intellect and emotions. I'm paying attention to how the two, when in balance, work very much like two hands. Not in competition, but in harmony withe one another.
I find myself wondering how can examining my own relationship to my integrity facilitate my healing?
I'm becoming better at recognising my limits, and don't take on too much. This means that I do produce slower and that I don't answer my emails the same day. But to do otherwise would not be sustainable for me. Besides, I always wondered what are we in such a rush for anyway? I often think about the Turtle Totem and in my house I have this invocation hanging on my wall:
I am so tired as I write this- I just returned from an amazing trip to Berlin for BE.BOP 2018 (more on this in a later post). But before Berlin I flew to Birmingham in the UK for a reading at Waterstones. I was lucky enough for Kelly Curry to be with me (she came for my book reception which happened on May 17th- the official publication date for DD) and we flew into Birmingham in the morning; checked into a really nice hotel room and managed to get a little bit of rest before the event. Dr. Lisa Tilley, who kindly agreed to moderate the event for me came by and picked us up at the hotel room and then we walked over, together to the bookstore. The reception was so warm. The love and respect that each participant brought with them was very moving. The audience was a beautiful reflection of humanity. We talked about trauma and healing (ourselves and the Earth). Again, it is truly heartwarming to see that my book is indeed doing the work that I had intended it to do. This is powerful. Dr. Lisa Tilley made a beautiful presentation of my work and her questions were on point. It was truly a moving experience to be able to speak about my relationship to one of my spiritual mothers, Ancestor Willie Mae Walls in Birmingham. I write about this woman in my book and how instrumental she has been in my life in teaching me love. I enjoyed signing books and connecting with my readers-- hearing their stories only reinforced how important the issues that I chose to write about are and how ready the world is for it.
On our walk to Waterstones, Dr. Lisa Tilley told us about the history of Birmingham, how it was once a weapons producing city, producing arms for the Transatlantic Slave Trade. In fact, there will be lecture entitled "Pacifists making guns: The Galtons of Birmingham and Britain's Industrial Revolution" at the University of Birmingham on June 13th. You can read more about that here https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/historycultures/departments/history/events/2018/pacifists-making-guns.aspx
Not enough of us know that much of the Industrial Revolution was premised on the enslavement of Africans, from making the shackles to the weapons needed for this trade.
Early the following day, Kelly Curry and I flew out to Berlin - which I'll write more about in my next post.
Today is Willie Mae's grandson, my godson Devon Walls Ponds who has grown up to be such a wonderful young man. I do hope to be able to connect with him and his mother India when I travel to States later this month. Happy Birthday Devon! May the Universe continue to hold you and guide you in love. Your grandmother is proud of you - as the rest of us are as well!
If you want to follow my adventures of a recently published author, don't forget to subscribe to my blog (in header); find me on Facebook (Lesley-Ann Brown); Twitter @blackgirlonmars; Instagram @blackgirlonmars.
There has been a lot happening, so I'll have to follow this up with more posts. One of the themes in my book is that of radical heal, or as Alanna Lockward reminded me this past BE.BOP 2108: Coalitions Facing White Innocence (more on this later!) decolonial healing. This book is a physical manifestation of a chapter in my life being over, and a more conscious creation of the life that I deserve. Every day I wake up and make a conscious decision to focus on my everyday healing. This is integral to my reaching my goal of calm and strength, and being able to give back to my community. I know that the healthier I am, the healthier my community will be as well. Making this commitment often means that I prioritise quiet and solitude. As I get older I have become less tolerant of talking.
 |
| At my book launch in Copenhagen with three of my former students! (photo courtesy of Kelly Curry). |
One of the aspects of healing I am focused on at the moment, is the relationship between the intellect and emotions. I'm paying attention to how the two, when in balance, work very much like two hands. Not in competition, but in harmony withe one another.
I find myself wondering how can examining my own relationship to my integrity facilitate my healing?
I'm becoming better at recognising my limits, and don't take on too much. This means that I do produce slower and that I don't answer my emails the same day. But to do otherwise would not be sustainable for me. Besides, I always wondered what are we in such a rush for anyway? I often think about the Turtle Totem and in my house I have this invocation hanging on my wall:
Turtle Invocation for Protection
Turtle spirit, please come to me.
Help me slow down and enjoy where I am.
Teach me to protect myself with shells and shelters,
So I can endure beings and forces I can't control.
You are at home on land or in water.
You hold up the whole Earth Island on your back.
Your slow steadiness symbolises all things that endure.
(Animal Powers Meditation Kit by Amy Zerner & Monte Farber)
I am so tired as I write this- I just returned from an amazing trip to Berlin for BE.BOP 2018 (more on this in a later post). But before Berlin I flew to Birmingham in the UK for a reading at Waterstones. I was lucky enough for Kelly Curry to be with me (she came for my book reception which happened on May 17th- the official publication date for DD) and we flew into Birmingham in the morning; checked into a really nice hotel room and managed to get a little bit of rest before the event. Dr. Lisa Tilley, who kindly agreed to moderate the event for me came by and picked us up at the hotel room and then we walked over, together to the bookstore. The reception was so warm. The love and respect that each participant brought with them was very moving. The audience was a beautiful reflection of humanity. We talked about trauma and healing (ourselves and the Earth). Again, it is truly heartwarming to see that my book is indeed doing the work that I had intended it to do. This is powerful. Dr. Lisa Tilley made a beautiful presentation of my work and her questions were on point. It was truly a moving experience to be able to speak about my relationship to one of my spiritual mothers, Ancestor Willie Mae Walls in Birmingham. I write about this woman in my book and how instrumental she has been in my life in teaching me love. I enjoyed signing books and connecting with my readers-- hearing their stories only reinforced how important the issues that I chose to write about are and how ready the world is for it.
 |
| Dr. Lisa Tilley & I at Waterstones photo courtesy Kelly Curry |
On our walk to Waterstones, Dr. Lisa Tilley told us about the history of Birmingham, how it was once a weapons producing city, producing arms for the Transatlantic Slave Trade. In fact, there will be lecture entitled "Pacifists making guns: The Galtons of Birmingham and Britain's Industrial Revolution" at the University of Birmingham on June 13th. You can read more about that here https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/historycultures/departments/history/events/2018/pacifists-making-guns.aspx
Not enough of us know that much of the Industrial Revolution was premised on the enslavement of Africans, from making the shackles to the weapons needed for this trade.
Early the following day, Kelly Curry and I flew out to Berlin - which I'll write more about in my next post.
Today is Willie Mae's grandson, my godson Devon Walls Ponds who has grown up to be such a wonderful young man. I do hope to be able to connect with him and his mother India when I travel to States later this month. Happy Birthday Devon! May the Universe continue to hold you and guide you in love. Your grandmother is proud of you - as the rest of us are as well!
If you want to follow my adventures of a recently published author, don't forget to subscribe to my blog (in header); find me on Facebook (Lesley-Ann Brown); Twitter @blackgirlonmars; Instagram @blackgirlonmars.
