Black and Brown Visibility

Greetings!
I found myself traveling around Central America this summer and discovered a unique perspective of the Black and Indigenous. Just a few years ago I spent some time in Louisiana researching my fathers side of the family and discovered that my Grandmother is creole French and I am Chikasaw on both my fathers side and mothers side in Oklahoma.
I have come to realize that our traditions are collective memories stored in our DNA. Africans left traces of ancient Ancestors wherever that slave ship landed. We are the beginning and the end. Our global traditions and cultures have cross hatched, intermingled and woven the fabric that connects us to relatedness. It is important to share stories of healing, listening and quieting -past and present. Understanding how our history connects on a global level is the path towards freedom and empowerment. I will document the importance of keeping our history and ancestors alive with art and ecology from North America to Central America.
I will be developing a series of experimental art exhibits in Los Angeles to help raise funds for my safe travels by land to explore Black and indigenous communities. I'll be showing some of the footage and there will be crab races! It is imperative that Black and Indigenous people are unified in heart, soul and mind. We are the original spiritualists.

I'll keep you posted.

Ciao!
Zoe Blaq

Comments

Dia de Los Muertos

D ia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a colorful festival celebrating the living. In the United States and in Mexico's larger cities, families build altars in their homes, dedicating them to the dead. They surround these altars with flowers, food and pictures of the deceased. They light candles and place them next to the altar. The Aztecs and other Meso -American civilizations kept skulls as trophies and displayed them during the ritual. The skulls were used to symbolize death and rebirth. The Aztecs and other Meso -American civilizations believed that the dead came back to visit during the month long ritual. The natives viewed it as the continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. To them, life was a dream and only in death did they become truly awake. The ritual has evolved to include other cultures like Native Americans and African Americans doing their own dances. This was my third year celebrating this event. Each year Hollywood Forever Cemetery comes ...

This was an inspiring weekend for every type of writer who needs a little push. I had fun sharing my poetry with a talented group of Los Angeles poets at the annual LitFest Pasadena.

Spring Vigilance

Greetings loved ones, This picture reminds me of how connected we are with nature. The tree an extension of myself, helping me stay balanced and grounded. I'd like to share what I've been practicing in order to transform into my better self. Perhaps you will find something helpful that will further your inner journey as well. Practice compassion for those who have separated themselves consciously. Start by forgiving yourself for not being perfect. Love individuals that are difficult to love. Not just particular people, do it without circumstance or demand. Remain vigilant and conscious. Stay present. Be impervious to negativity. Take accountability. Do your inner work. When you know yourself, you trust yourself. The more trust the more self love and self acceptance. Stay connected with nature. I enjoy going to the beach or sitting under a blanket of trees in my garden. Listen to the rhythm of nature. Nature moves with purpose. A vision pulls you forward. Don't...

Piddle Productions

Search This Blog