Sade on the Brain
Off and on lately, I’ve been thinking of Sade’s song, “Love is Stronger Than Pride”. I wasn’t sure if it was due to June being Pride Month or Black Music Month… It could be both, which clearly applies, but I just wasn’t sure. I would hum or sing along anyway, because why not? She’s got a great voice and what band has a better name than Sweetback?
This week has been bitter, hard. I had high hopes for a slower pace, maybe a little grace, but there was no rest for the weary. Still early mornings and still so much hate in the air. I try to be intentional about what I read, hear, and watch, all while trying to catalogue, compare, and contrast what my elders and ancestors endured and what I endure. I constantly remind myself that I am in the world and not of it, all while trying to hold on to the pieces of me who have chosen the Word, the world and the work. There are some who will say that you cannot love or even be all three, but here we are. And each part of me will be honored and celebrated, because all of this is me, and as I mentioned in a previous post: I like me. I know the verse about being lukewarm, and anyone who knows me knows for certain that I am anything but that—quite spicy, in fact!
I think this week’s bitterness came in while reading about former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and her decision to leave the Democratic Party. For some high-level context, Ms. Jean-Pierre held the position under President Biden. She came into the role a little more than a year into his presidency and remained until the present administration took office this past January. She managed the job with a lot more tact and grace than I could ever muster against some of the cruelest members of the press corps, one fueled by dis- and misinformation. When it was announced, this week, that she had written a book about her experience as press secretary and her decision to leave the party, the response was brutal. Notice that I wrote “her experience” and “her decision”. Meanwhile, the backlash she has received in interviews, podcasts, opinion pieces, social media posts, etc. was a vicious attack on her that absolutely seemed personal and not one based on her profession. Watching the attack on this beautiful, intelligent, queer Black woman was a horrible reminder that those that fall into these categories are never permitted to be fully present and free to take up space.
Having seen her work, I am sure that she is likely unbothered by the comments, but because my default is set to empathy, I felt, well… terror. I am one of those “you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us” people, and I felt attacked for her. Like, she couldn’t have an opinion about her own experience without several different groups of people attacking her work, her looks, how she identifies, her loyalty to the party. News flash: our two-party political system has always been unkind to Black women, which is why we often choose the lesser of the two evils, in the Democratic party. To me, it made perfect sense to walk away from it. I previously referenced a meme citing Nina Simone saying that you should learn to leave the table when love is no longer being served, and I stand by that sentiment. Ms. Jean-Pierre is a grown woman making adult decisions about how she wants to move and have her being in society, and she should be able to do that (as we all) without retaliation. People are weird, and since I can’t tell y’all to stop peopling, please stop being weird. Everyone, Black women especially, deserves love, peace, happiness, and yes, pride to be our full selves. Y’all will just have to make room. There’s plenty for everyone, I promise.
YAY, ME!!! This is my 51st post and tomorrow (June 7) marks a year of writing on Substack. I am so very happy that I committed myself to writing. The consistent effort has helped me breathe. Even though there have been many moments over this past year when I felt like I would choke, I took a long breath in and out, then kept on typing. Thank you to those of you who have subscribed and continue on this journey with me. I appreciate you more than you know - truly! As I breathe today, here’s to air…
Gay???? You never disappoint!! Congratulations on one year. Keep writing. Compile that book.