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Be not confused, what we are experiencing is an attack on humanity itself. How does a country, with bible in hand, turn in on itself, turn on its own faithful servants? Why does it divide its people? Why does it command control of their lives and demand blind obedience ... with bible in hand? I do not presume to know the answers to these questions, I don't even pretend to. I put them on the proverbial table for consideration. They are not my focus. Nor can they be yours.
Collective grief represents a kind of "linked fate." It is a type of grief that happens when a group of people share events and/or situations that causes them to "collectively" experience similar emotions of grief. Some of the emotions that we are collectively experiencing in this country and across the globe are shock, disbelief, sadness, helplessness, uncertainty, anger and most of all fear of the unknown. While there are many different types of collective grief and trauma, social and political injustice is the type that we are currently in the experience of.
Before I go further, allow me to interject that I am an American woman of African descent, meaning that my lineage can be traced as far back in this country as the 1700s. Me and mine did not apply for citizenship. Therefore, we have a history that is the ... American history. I am familiar with what my ancestors have gone through in this country. I am familiar with the collective trauma that reflects the emotional wounds that have extended across generations. These scars do not just affect us as individuals; they resonate through families and communities across the country. Our collective grief has been imposed on us simply because of our hue and a people's need to feel superior. My entire ancestral lineage has gone through hell, based on the same stuff (social and political injustice) that is happening across the country right now. They too have gone through grief and trauma while paving the way for all other migrants to enter this country and for other women to come out of the kitchens, only so that they too can feel superior.
With New Testament in hand and my ancestors' love and guidance in my heart and soul, I call on the strength and peace of mind that they provide epigenetically, spiritually, emotionally. They remind me that we have never had a sustainable seat at the table, we have always been on the menu. We have always been a target. We have never been free to sleep with both eyes closed. We have always had to do more, be more and still be treated like less than. The behavior of those that are creating the divisive, destructive climate that we are currently living in is no surprise to us. They have always shown us who they are, and we have always believed them. Our history ... the history that this country insists on erasing ... reminds me that collectively we have always grieved...
"How might we understand mourning, when the event has yet to end? When the injuries not only perdure but are inflicted anew? Can one mourn what has yet ceased happening?" ~ Sadiya Hartman, The Time of Slavery
I digress.
What we are experiencing across this country today is how wide the net has been cast. This is unchartered territory. The entire country is feeling a semblance of what American Africans have always felt. The social and political injustice, the loss of social and financial standing, people's entire lives have been stolen. The political assault, the distrust that we are experiencing in our government, our institutions, in our communities makes us all feel unsafe, vulnerable, powerless, all feelings which are essential to our mental and emotional well-being. It is difficult not to become incensed. The cognitive dissonance is unreal - yet is in currently in our "collective" experience and it is disturbing. Though we are experiencing a mix of unity and division, we are linked by these events and situations regardless of our gender or our hue. The energy around it all is sad, heavy and palpable. But we cannot be afraid, instead we get to:
Remember the stories of resilience, there has been times when we thought we would not persevere. but we did
Lift our spirits, we don't fall into despair, no one can make us feel anything, it's a choice
Commit every day to remaining emotionally neutral so that we can act, not react
Commit every day to peace, balance, and freedom, we don't give away our joy
Commit to remaining spiritually centered, do what's required, be mindful
Dance to lift and keep our vibrations high, we become the change we want to see
Connect with family, neighbors and friends, to heal collective grief is to come together and support one another
Not get angry, instead we take action that aligns with our values i.e., economically protest
Remember the history of our ancestors, remember them and the lives and times that they lived and share that information with our family and friends
Take extra special care of ourselves mentally, physically, and spiritually, if we don't no one else will.
In closing, we acknowledge and validate the emotions we are experiencing. We do not ignore them. We face them with courage.
We give ourselves permission to not be okay ... but ...we don't linger there. We get to shift the narrative of grief from sorrow to strength.
We are a powerful people. We have always and will always do more than survive. We are as we choose to be.
This is a shake up ... for us to collectively wake up.
Our ancestors applaud us. They are who we are. Rise.
Mountain tops await our arrival. No more no less.
Know ... that it is already done.
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