Aya Collective Publishing

Dear Beloved, 

How are you holding up?

If you live in the Twin Cities, I know that like me, you have probably been feeling a lot of angst, sadness, and anger. The terrorization in our communities by our national government, constant surveillance, and increased violence, has left many of us feeling overwhelmed. In times like this, it is easy to give into despair and despondency, but I am of the belief that anxiousness of this hour is all the more reason that we must adamantly embrace our spirituality and our community.

For Black women, spirituality has always been a source of personal renewal and political resistance. Borrowing from Akasha Hull’s Soul Talk (which I recently read, finished, and LOVED) Cynthia Dillard describes three dimensions of our spirituality which include (1) our politics (2) our spiritual consciousness and (3) our creativity. She explains, “Engaging one’s spirituality is also about using it to address, break down, and work to abolish structures and conditions that hamper liberation and freedom for Black people. Such labor requires great creative force and energy” (Spirit Of Our Work, p. 3). 

Her description here is consistent with the ways that Black women have long shown up in our society, fueled by a deep awareness of the Spirit to work on behalf of our personal and collective freedom. It is an awareness that we cannot turn away from now, but must lean into even more understanding that regardless of how we name that spirituality (Christian, Muslim, traditional African, Buddhist, and other) that it is powerful enough to hold us and fuel our political action.

And community, we need each other. We always have and we always will. When we are so deep in the feels, it can be tempting to allow fear of gathering with others to cause distance and isolation. As Cole Arthur Riley observes, the wounds of “not being embraced or known or cared for well by those whom you have longed to know and care for you” can push us further from the connections we need most. Yet it is precisely in these moments that we must resist the urge to withdraw and instead lean into the power of community and connection.

Listed below are a couple of offerings and resources to help us embrace both our spirituality and our community. 

A couple of offerings: 

• We are hosting our next Sacred Saturday session on Saturday, January 24 from 8 am – 9.30 am CST (virtual). This is a time for you to write in community with other Black women. Bring your computer/journal, a cup of tea, a book of your favorite poems and/or quotes and that’s it. Register here. 
• Day of Fasting and Prayer. On Friday, January 23rd Minnesotans are joining together for a Day of Prayer and Fasting against the illegal occupation of our state by federal immigration agents. We will have a powerful day of non-violent, non-cooperative action rooted in faith. Find out more information here. 

Resources: 

• Currently listening to:
  • Meshell Ndegeochello’s No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin.
    *I first came across this album last year and have been listening to it heavily over the last week.* 
• Reading:
  • They Will Be Coming for Us Tonight: Letters by James Baldwin and Angela Y. Davis, with an introduction by Laura Preston (link to article)

Writing Updates: 

• Our project, Chronicling the Experiences of Black Women in Higher Education is moving forward. Last month, we sent out a request for more writers, received them, and are now starting our editing process this month. There are still ways to be involved in this project, even if you are not able to contribute a written piece or are not in higher education. Find out more information here. 
• We will be launching the release of our project focused on Black women living with endometriosis, written by Dr. Shakita Thomas Kpetay and Tamien Elder, soon. Be on the lookout for this announcement and be ready to share it with your network. 
• Newsletter and featured articles: Over the last few months, we have received several article submissions to be featured in our newsletter. We have not forgotten these submissions and will be publishing them soon. 
• We will be bringing back Writing Prompt Wednesdays. Be on the lookout for new prompts starting later this month.