On Not Forgetting to LIVE

Photo by Valentin on Unsplash

This week I’m relishing in last week’s adventures and family time. I had ball! One thing is for sure, I’m present and living in every moment. Hope you all did the same and enjoyed an amazing Memorial Day. Click HERE to learn more about The Forgotten Black History of How Memorial Day Started by Olivia B. Waxman, Time Staff writer.

SONIC FIND Cont.

Added by LegitPLLGirl Posted in YUNGBLUD/Gallery

Last week, my best friend and I spent exactly 24 hours in Las Vegas running toward joy—saying yes to her invitation to join her at YUNGBLUD’s IDOLS - The World Tour concert was the best decision I could have made.

It was glorious!

YUNGBLUD opened with “Hello Heaven, Hello,” as the word “hello” flashed across the big screen in multiple languages. It was a powerful signal that all were welcome, and it truly felt like it. His artistry and energy are top notch and reminiscent of some of the greats like Steven Tyler, David Bowie, with a sliver of Prince; a true rock star. While the Vegas crowd wasn’t as high-vibrational as he deserved, our section was electric!

Shoutout to all the lovely people who complimented my best friend and I’s outfits. I went for a more eclectic-rock vibe and my bestie’s silver-studded leather jacket and boots—were the star of the show. The concert ended with four words flashing on the big screen: Don’t Forget To Live. Those words hit deep, especially these days when it feels like joy can easily slip through your fingers.

Thank you YUNGBLUD for reminding us to live the hell out of this life. It’s all we have.

Oh, I wanna feel alive

Hello

Tell me if you wanna feel alive

My new favorite YUNGBLUD songs: “Changes” Live from Villa Park ( a rendition of the Black Sabbath song ) and Hello Heaven, Hello

Snippet of YUNGBLUD’S rendition of Black Sabbath’s “Changes.” I was in tears. It was so beautiful.

WRITING DIARY ENTRY#5: WE GOT YOUR FRONT AND YOUR BACK

Photo by Ken G on Unsplash

In 2023, I had the privilege of joining the Freedom Writers: Watts Writer’s Workshop, hosted by the Freedom Plaza and facilitated by Oshea ”MrFood4Thought” Luja, Dr. Melanie Luja, Father Anthony “Father Amde” Hamilton (The Watts Prophets, one of the 1^st rappers in history) and Melvin “Mel-Low” Moore (South Central Cartel). This was a powerful continuation of the legendary Los Angeles creative writing group conceived in 1965 by Budd Schulberg following the Watts Rebellion. Historically designed as a platform for Black voices, this community has shaped countless literary projects (Myrow, 2016). For me, it was a transformative experience that reignited my love for poetry. At the beginning of every reading, Oshea would say, “We got your front and your back” and that would further set the tone of creating a safe space we all needed. For the very first time, I was able to find the words to articulate my experience with racial trauma in the workplace. The title of my poem, “I Owe You Nothing,” was inspired by Seinabo Sey’s song of the same name. I played this song on repeat for almost two years as I learned to let go of the things that no longer served me. I’ve performed this poem four times in front of an audience—and even landed my first paid gig to perform it — a true blessing. Even now, every time I read or perform this piece, I still feel all the feels.” You’ll be able to read the full poem in my debut novel, but I wanted to share a snippet with you today:

I Owe You Nothing

By Lisa J. Baxter

I.

Owe.

You.

Nothing.

Putting my pen in position

No disclaimers this time

I.

Owe.

You.

Nothing.

like Seinabo Sey sings:

I owe you nothing, I be myself I and I ain’t fronting

I remember when I wasn’t strong enough to right the wrong enoughs

The misguided tropes

The myth of my blackness

My kind, the skin of folk but, not my kin of folk

Redlining my opportunity zones

Redistricting my dignity

Bruce’s Beaching me and claiming me as imminent domain

Under attack but my fight back is different

I remember the day that my heart beat different

I finally heard my ancestors drum

It was the day she said, “You take too much initiative.”

And my breath caught in my throat as her blue eyes sparked fire,

The kind meant to extinguish me

“Well, isn’t that what leaders do?”

She never answered my question, but I knew she’d say, “Not leaders that look like you,”

I owed them nothing then, but you know how it go

Corporate/Nonprofit America

Modern day sundown towns, making sure your sun go down

Golden handcuffs wrapped around my neck

Nonprofit Barbie just to get a check

In a world made of plastic

Glided dinners and boring ass gala’s

Cash used to rule everything around me

Dolla dolla bill ya’llLL…..

RANT & RAVE

Photo Credit: Anthony Barboza, Collection of the Smithsonian National

Museum of African American History and Culture

Legendary Pan-African historian, scholar and teacher Dr. John Henrik Clarke famously said, “Black people don’t owe anybody anything but an ass whooping.” It may sound jarring to some, but I wholeheartedly receive it like scripture. This isn’t a literal call to violence. It is a reaction to America’s cold-hearted history and the daily, systemic disregard for Black humanity. Our rage is justified eons over. After centuries of abuse, the question shouldn’t be why we are angry, but be a study on how we’ve survived, thrived and are still thriving despite it. As a Black woman moving through these halls of life, I don’t owe anyone anything. Now, that ass whooping? Well, that’s entirely up to you.

FOOTNOTES

Myrow, Donna C. (2016). The Watts Writer’s Workshop, 50 Years Later. https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/the-watts-writers-workshop-50-years-later/

Cénat, J.M. (2022).Complex Racial Trauma: Evidence, Theory, Assessment, and Treatment. [Abstracts fromNIH National Library of Medicine]. National Center for Biotechnology Information.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10186562/