Gentlebeings,
My apologies on the delay in this column for the month of September. I have to be honest about the violence that a Black person must undergo in order to write a column of this nature in a country that is actively going against people of color, those who have disabilities, queer peoples…anyone marked others. Every single time I sat down to write, a mourning rage filled my being to the point that writing seemed disingenuous. I want to be helpful rather than hurtful when I write. So I sat. And I sat. And I heard the words of a friend that beckoned me to “find where the light is.” I also went back to my forever ritual of trying to find beauty wherever and whenever I can find it. I found it in the words of my wonderful colleague Anna Blaedel. I’m linking here to the full piece so that you too can read about “Love Songs For Life.” Also I’ll give you a little preview:
“This year, every day, as a practice, I sing. I sing, and I take notice of and catalogue an encounter with joy.
These are survival strategies, for living through this onslaught of chaos and catastrophe.
Singing strengthens my lungs. Deepens my breath, and reminds me to breathe. Helps my blood flow, gives my disoriented immune system a boost. It’s not nothing, a free source of endorphins, oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine. It’s not nothing, to sing just for the joy of it.”
In the words of preachers I respect, “I won’t be before you long.” I wanted to give you a few glimpses of beauty in this newsletter to give you sustenance in the dismantling of toxic ideologies. Beauty to hold you in an onslaught of bigotry. Beauty to remind you that you are human, we are human, and we can make the world more beautiful.
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).