Not sure if you've read this already but, if you're interested, @janinedenovais recently wrote a great piece unpacking your concerns about Cowboy Carter's gaze
I had to come back to this and re-read it and think about it. When you said "I can’t help but wonder if these spaces are worth taking up room in any way." What struck me was that many of these spaces were initially ours, and maybe, if we're in the house, at the table, in the room, it's a step towards reclaiming. There is also the approach of my ancestors as an alternative (koupe tet, boule kay) but I can't advocate for a physical manifestation of that level of radicalism.
Thanks for your comment, Carmelia. Your note about being in the room as a possible step toward reclamation made me think. The word “reform” came up for me too. Mostly, I find myself asking, what is the end goal? Reclaiming toward what end? Reforming toward what end? Abolition toward what end? Depending on our answer to those questions, that might determine which strategies are necessary.
Maybe, one thing I struggle with is not just the strategy but how we’ve been indoctrinated to think about the whole system. Life happens on a continuum and so is there really an end? There are always problems and so there too is always an opportunity for a solution. But time is always moving forward so if we’re not at least in the places and spaces to apply our talents and see how the problems get created or how we got bamboozled then how can we form workable strategies?
That indoctrination is real. I believe we’ll always cause harm and be capable of causing harm, but my hope is collectively we can find solutions to lessen the ever-present capacity for harm in our lives. I’m still learning what that looks like and trying to move closer to these possibilities in my everyday life, and that leaves with me more questions than answers most days. One of the books I haven’t read yet but seems to hit on these types of questions is Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown. Have you read it?
I have not but I shall add it to the list. And agreed, I'm always optimistic that as long as we're asking, and thinking, and trying we will keep moving in a positive direction
This piece reminds me of a tweet I saw recently that said something like “your ancestors wildest dream for you was freedom, not for you to be CEO of some corrupt company.” It does seem like Beyoncé wants both to be seen as symbol of liberation at the same time as she wants validation from the establishment. She wouldn’t submit for Grammy’s consideration otherwise.
Whew that tweet. A word. And I totally agree with you on that view of Beyoncé. Like most mega music stars, she is undoubtedly a capitalist, which inherently contradicts Black liberation. Her larger-than-life persona allows us to see aspects of ourselves reflected in her and her music, and some of that may guide us toward thoughts of liberation, but it is not liberation in and of itself.
Not sure if you've read this already but, if you're interested, @janinedenovais recently wrote a great piece unpacking your concerns about Cowboy Carter's gaze
https://kingdomofculture.substack.com/p/the-possibilities-and-perils-of-cowboy
This was fantastic. Absolutely helped unpack those concerns more, especially that Toni Morrison quote. Thank you for sharing!
I had this saved, thanks for bumping up!
I had to come back to this and re-read it and think about it. When you said "I can’t help but wonder if these spaces are worth taking up room in any way." What struck me was that many of these spaces were initially ours, and maybe, if we're in the house, at the table, in the room, it's a step towards reclaiming. There is also the approach of my ancestors as an alternative (koupe tet, boule kay) but I can't advocate for a physical manifestation of that level of radicalism.
Thanks for your comment, Carmelia. Your note about being in the room as a possible step toward reclamation made me think. The word “reform” came up for me too. Mostly, I find myself asking, what is the end goal? Reclaiming toward what end? Reforming toward what end? Abolition toward what end? Depending on our answer to those questions, that might determine which strategies are necessary.
Maybe, one thing I struggle with is not just the strategy but how we’ve been indoctrinated to think about the whole system. Life happens on a continuum and so is there really an end? There are always problems and so there too is always an opportunity for a solution. But time is always moving forward so if we’re not at least in the places and spaces to apply our talents and see how the problems get created or how we got bamboozled then how can we form workable strategies?
That indoctrination is real. I believe we’ll always cause harm and be capable of causing harm, but my hope is collectively we can find solutions to lessen the ever-present capacity for harm in our lives. I’m still learning what that looks like and trying to move closer to these possibilities in my everyday life, and that leaves with me more questions than answers most days. One of the books I haven’t read yet but seems to hit on these types of questions is Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown. Have you read it?
I have not but I shall add it to the list. And agreed, I'm always optimistic that as long as we're asking, and thinking, and trying we will keep moving in a positive direction
This piece reminds me of a tweet I saw recently that said something like “your ancestors wildest dream for you was freedom, not for you to be CEO of some corrupt company.” It does seem like Beyoncé wants both to be seen as symbol of liberation at the same time as she wants validation from the establishment. She wouldn’t submit for Grammy’s consideration otherwise.
Whew that tweet. A word. And I totally agree with you on that view of Beyoncé. Like most mega music stars, she is undoubtedly a capitalist, which inherently contradicts Black liberation. Her larger-than-life persona allows us to see aspects of ourselves reflected in her and her music, and some of that may guide us toward thoughts of liberation, but it is not liberation in and of itself.