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a thread on holding:
this morning, I am thinking about the family and friends of John Lewis - the ones who deeply loved and supported him as he fought, the ones might have lost sleep worrying about him, the ones who told him to rest and took care of him.
(1/8)
this morning, I am thinking about the family and friends of John Lewis - the ones who deeply loved and supported him as he fought, the ones might have lost sleep worrying about him, the ones who told him to rest and took care of him.
(1/8)
last night, @teachLTL, @DulceFlecha, and I had a conversation about community vs. consumption in this work. And then hours later, I heard John Lewis died. I knew the tributes would be coming for a man who spent his life fighting for us. He deserves every single one.
(2/8)
(2/8)
it also made me think about the loved ones he left behind (and those who went before him). it made me think about how taxing this work is on one’s body and soul, how especially grateful I am for the folx in this work who take care of the fighters when no one is watching.
(3/8)
(3/8)
doing this work as a Black activist involves folx consuming our souls and energy for the good of the fight. we speak, we march, we organize and connect in order to strengthen a movement.
we give ourselves away bit by bit in the name of justice and liberation.
(4/8)
we give ourselves away bit by bit in the name of justice and liberation.
(4/8)
but there are some in our lives who are the ones that ensure we do not break, that allow us to cry in their arms when we do break, who listen to our fears and dreams. they are not everyone, but they are necessary to us being here in this work - they are our holders.
(5/8)
(5/8)
it takes a lot for me to let someone hold me - to hold space, to carry some of my burden, to physically hold me in their arms. being a “holder” in this work is heavy, scary, and hard. I know this because I held my mom before she died, because I hold people now.
(6/8)
(6/8)
I know that John Lewis was only able to do this work for as long as he did because he had some damn strong and loving holders. I don’t know who they are, but this morning I am thinking of them, sending them love and light, and praying they have their own holders.
(7/8)
(7/8)
this morning, I am extra grateful for the holders in my life who lose sleep over my audacity, who let me cry in their arms, who pick me up off of the floor and feed me, who hold me even when I say I don’t want to be held.
(8/8)
(8/8)
