I am leaning into the wisdom of the waves today in the hopes that rushing water would guide me to places of centering and being. I would be lying if I didn’t say that election season, genocide across the globe, hatred, homophobia, and callousness hasn’t been impacting my mental and physical health. I am leaning into the wisdom of the waves today because the movement of water is rich with knowledge if we will be open to perceive. Waves move how they move and left unchecked they have potential to generate crushing force. And. waves can lift and support in ways that are generative and dynamic. Waves.
“For the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house. They may allow us to temporarily beat him at his own game, but they will never enable us to bring about genuine change. Racism and homophobia are real conditions of all our lives in this place and time. I urge each one of us here to reach down into that deep place of knowledge inside herself and touch that terror and loathing of any difference that lives here. See whose face it wears. Then the personal as the political can begin to illuminate all our choices.”
― Audre Lorde
And as I meditate on the waves, I find myself in need of something to stabilize myself, something to remind me of humanity and of liberating possibilities. Today, I am utilizing the words and the life of Audre Lorde as an anchor to remind me of some consistent truths. I share them not just because of election season or one particular issue, but it is my hope that they may be anchors in the waves as the year winds itself down. May these words and images be anchors to you.
Robert Monson
co-director
Robert (he/him) is a runner, musician, and a Black theologian committed to softness, contemplation, and liberation for all. As a recent seminary graduate (with distinction) and a current PhD student, Robert studied in-depth the intersection of Black Liberation Theology and womanist theology. Weaving together these two strands of liberation have been important work as well as other liberation based theologies. “How can we help facilitate community and provide answers to a hurting world that is reeling?” remains an important question in his work. While in school, Robert’s scholarly work was recognized and presented at various national conferences/outlets. Podcasting (two shows) and writing remain important aspects of his daily life as well as marathoning the latest Star Trek show(s).