[ad_1]
Good morning, I hope y’all are as happy as I am that it’s finally Fall, aka my favorite season.
I’m not sure what I’m more excited about: the Fall fashion or the fact that I’ll be able to rock a silk press without fear of it turning into an afro. But enough about the weather and my natural hair struggles, let’s get into this week’s conversation.
This past Tuesday, The Tennessean put on it’s first Black Tennessee Voices live storytellers event and it was truly amazing to witness. We sat in the Roots theater of the National Museum of African American Music while six Black Tennessean shared some of their lived experiences about growing up Black in the south.
I found myself relating to each of them in some way, shape or form. Some more than others.
Ashford Hughes shared how losing multiple friends to gun violence, dating back to his childhood, influenced a transitional moment in his life.
“I made it my purpose to make sure young black and brown girls and boys didn’t end up killed or in jail,” Hughes said.
His story resonated with me the most. I said goodbye to a lot of people during my time in middle school and highschool; some to gun violence, health issues and car accidents. I understood exactly how he felt trying to rationalize losing so many people before the age of 18, not to mention those that I’ve lost since turning 18.
All of the storytellers were vulnerable enough to share a trying part of their life with us, which sparked a lot raw emotions from the audience. But the one thing that all of these storytellers had in common− besides their melanted skin tones− were the themes of strength, resiliency and love within the Black community.
See if it’s one thing us Black folks gone do, it’s survive. We always manage to make it through the worst of the worst and still continue to push forward. Our history proves that.
I was inspired to be sitting before six incredibly strong and dedicated Black men and women who chose to use their adversities as motivation to advocate for the Black community in their own way.
If you missed it, you truly missed an out experience, but don’t fret. Black Tennessee Voices live will be an annual event. If you’re interested in becoming a storyteller for next year’s event, you can reach out to the event coordinators, Anika Exum and LeBron Hill.
Here’s what Black Tennesseans are discussing this week:
- Ja’Ron Smith, 2020 recipient of the Bipartisan Justice Award, explains how tough-on-crime policies do little to make communities of color feel safer or address the root causes of violence.
- The Tennessean’s country music reporter, Marcus Dowling, highlights how folk singer-songwriter Jake Blount’s latest album expands the depth and scope of the meaning of “Afrofuturism”.
- Howard Allen, Jr., member of the Nashville Homeless Underground, exposes Tennessee for their inhumane treatment of the homeless population.
- Guest columnists, Dr. Carlton Adams and Dr. Marty Sellers, explain how the nation’s organ donation and transplant system has recommitted itself to making the system more equitable for Black Americans awaiting kidneys.
- Sheree Curry, USA TODAY freelance reporter, describes how banks are working to support the Black community by investing in Black-owned banks and Black-owned businesses.
Kyra Watts, an Atlanta native, is a graduate of Florida A&M University, and a writer and editor on the opinion and engagement team at The Tennessean in Nashville. She can be reached @Kyrawatts98 on Twitter.
[ad_2]
Source link
