SANKOFA
As a 20-year-old who recently transferred from a community college to a four-year HBCU in 2000, I found myself navigating the transition from what should have been my sophomore year back to being a freshman. I believed I had a solid understanding of life up to that moment. I had previously attempted to watch Alex Haley's "Roots," but the brutal depiction of Black Afrikan suffering was too much for me; it felt like my heart was bleeding out all over the floor. Little did I know, I was about to experience another profound moment while watching Haile Gerima's film "Sankofa." The meaning of the word Sankofa was a mystery to me, yet I could sense its power, a message resonating deep inside my bones, reminding me that I came from someplace. As my classmates and I stepped into the dimly lit auditorium during freshman week, we were blissfully unaware of the emotional journey that awaited us. The Spirit of the Dead” poem emerged before anything else, setting the stage. The atmosphere buzzed with the powerful beats of Afrikan drums from the Divine Drummer, Kofi Ghanaba who shouted a blend of interjections and words that lead into Oscar Brown Jr.'s powerful narration of "Spirit of the Dead." That poem has stayed with me ever since, 25 years now. I was moved to tears and wanted everyone to feel that.
Movement is Medicine
In this short video you’ll find me roothealing, doing movement as medicine adorned in pieces I carefully selected that bring life to the aesthetic. After weeks of searching for a space where I could freely express my movement, I finally felt drawn to one on the first day of what I loving refer to as my “moon.” It’s believed that our menstrual cycles enhance our intuition and unleash a wave of energy, both physically and emotionally, so even though I felt bloated and fatigued, I embraced my moody body and spirit to tap into the energy of my ancestors. I moved in ways that felt authentic to me for that time. I trust you will always find your rhythm too. Enjoy.
Ase’O!