A series I’ve been working on in my spare time to practice mindful artmaking.
One of my favorite books is “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler. It focuses on Lauren Olamina, a teenager living within a walled community in post-apocalyptic California as a result of the devastating effects of climate change, the rise of governmental control, and religious fanaticism. It’s also eerily set in 2024. Realizing the walls protecting her family will not last forever, she begins working on “Earthseed: The Books of the Living,” reflecting on how to ensure our survival in perilous times, we need to adapt to change and work together as a community.
All that you touch
You Change.
All that you Change
Changes You.
The only lasting truth Is Change.
God Is Change.
- EARTHSEED: THE BOOKS OF THE LIVING by Lauren Oya Olamina
Since the novel is set in 2024, I attempted to reread it last year but quickly put it back down as we approached election season because the similarities of the story to the current political climate started affecting my mental health, so I decided to dive into stories centering African mythology instead which was way more fun. However, what stuck with me in the couple of chapters I managed to read was the necessity for community action. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the latest executive orders, reversal of diversity initiatives, and the like, and I understand completely removing yourself from the conversation. I honestly spent most of February with little to no energy, under the covers watching Paradise on Hulu and binging audiobooks, so I get the need for escapism. But I want to encourage you to find a way to stay engaged, whether doing your civic duty by getting a library card, supporting independent journalism on platforms like Substack, or volunteering at your local community garden. Just keep going because life still goes on.
So I hit the ground running so hard in January, working on so many projects simultaneously, that I really burnt myself out and am honestly still recovering 🙃. But I would be remiss if I did not create anything in honor of Black History Month. So this month’s gif upload is inspired by the iconic, the legendary, thee one-of-one James Brown. “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)” has officially been added to my morning playlist and helps me “get on the good foot” (iykyk 😉). There’s nothing like blasting James Brown in your ears while walking through these Harlem streets like you’re starring in a Shaft remake (I am only half joking).
In response to Target’s decision to roll back DEI initiatives, many consumers, like myself, have been boycotting by no longer shopping at this major retailer. Allegedly Stephanie has a great video explaining what recent executive orders around DEI mean for us, what the Target DEI rollback is specifically, and what role we all play in it. Check it out here.
Books I’ve read in February…
“The Gilded Ones” by Namina Forna
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book #1 in a young adult West African-inspired feminist fantasy series that had me feeling big girl power energy.
“Reel” by Kennedy Ryan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A spicy romance novel involving a Broadway understudy cast as the star of a Harlem Renaissance biopic. Yes, I did tear up at the end, lol.
“The Nickel Boys” by Colson Whitehead
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A story of two teenage boys unjustly sentenced to an abusive reform school set in Jim Crow-era Florida. While I predicted the twist, I was still captivated by the storytelling.
