Last week I hosted the monthly Troublemakers meeting with patreon members (if you'd like to join future meetings, learn more here). I adore this crew of misfits. We often begin our meetings checking in with one another and asking, "how did you get into trouble recently." I love the answers we get. And this time Katie's response led to a major aha moment for me.
Katie told us that earlier in the week she attended a worship service that intentionally affirmed the worth and dignity of trans people. She recounted what it meant to her to sit in that space, and participate in call and response- to say aloud that everyone present wants trans people to have safety and the ability to thrive. As she told us about the experience I had no trouble imagining how it must have felt to be wrapped in those affirmations- especially during a time when trans folks are under increased attack.
Her mention of call and response took me back to my churchy roots. In many services there is a set aside portion of time called "Call and Response" where the statements are written out for all to read at the same time. But I grew up in a Black church where call and response is the service. From beginning to end- the vocalists, the musicians, the pastors, the deacons, and sometimes even lay members call out and we, the congregation, respond.
Some of our call and response is born of deep ritual:
Pastor: God is good
People: All the time
Pastor: And all the time
People: God is good.
This is not written down anywhere. But you may hear this call and response in any Black church on any given Sunday. But most of our call and response is simply a way of being.
It's knowing when Sister Johnson is going to catch the Holy Ghost. It's the way we shout "sing choir" when they remix a song we've sung our entire lives. It's the way we stand up with our arms raised when the pastor says the exact words we need to hear to keep on going just a little while longer.
She is far from perfect, but for generations the Black church has participated in a ritual of call and response, and so Katie's example resonated strongly with me. It actually made me think about social media too- how so many of us use it as a place of call and response as we go about our daily lives.
-We caught a news segment that we believe denies the dignity of those who are LGBTQIA and so we post a caption that is a call, and wait for our community to respond in likes, comments, more information and how to help.
-We stand in the line at the grocery store and are completely overwhelmed by the evil being visited upon Palestinian families as they are gunned down or bombed in an attempt to reach aid- and so put put out a call to remember, to contact representatives, to donate, to do something- to respond.
-We say misinformation trending online and feel compelled to bust the myth making, inviting our community to join in with examples, history, politics, or a story to prove the point.
Most of us are not under any illusions that social media is going to save us or that it's the beginning and end of The Work. But we do believe in its power to act as a center of call and response.
Especially right now, when so many marginalized folks are under attack, I have to believe in the importance of our call to fellow believers- believers in human dignity, believers in the rights to food, to homes, to safety, to security, to health, believers that we could choose to be better, believers in the radical reimagining of what is for what could be. And the power of someone replying, "yes, and amen- let it be so."
part two coming next week
*PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS NEWSLETTER CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO BOOKSHOP.ORG, WHICH MEANS I RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION IF YOU CHOOSE TO MAKE A PURCHASE USING THE BOOK LINKS. I WILL BE USING SAID COMMISSION TO FEED MY BOOK ADDICTION, OFFER YOU MORE REVIEWS, AND AROUND AND AROUND WE GO. THE COMMISSION DOES NOT COST YOU ANYTHING, AND I WILL ALWAYS LET YOU KNOW IF I RECEIVED ANY OF THE BOOKS FOR FREE99.
Bookworm
Ever wondered how the digital gurus make magic happen? This month, we've roped in some of the most innovative minds in the digital sphere to share their secrets. They'll talk about their journey, the challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. These are real stories from the digital battlefield that will inspire you, teach you, and maybe even make you laugh!
Ever wondered how the digital gurus make magic happen? This month, we've roped in some of the most innovative minds in the digital sphere to share their secrets. They'll talk about their journey, the challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. These are real stories from the digital battlefield that will inspire you, teach you, and maybe even make you laugh!
Ever wondered how the digital gurus make magic happen? This month, we've roped in some of the most innovative minds in the digital sphere to share their secrets. They'll talk about their journey, the challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. These are real stories from the digital battlefield that will inspire you, teach you, and maybe even make you laugh!
Purchase Here
Prose
Treats
box of galleys, pre-published paperback copies of Austin's book, Full of Myself with purple covers and bold, black text.
My team and I are working hard behind the scenes on making my next book launch one full of magic and connection. Starting next week, we will be sending out *exclusive* invites to all of our paid subscribers to become a Banned Book Ambassador for Full of Myself. As an ambassador, you’ll receive lots of TREATS:
an early physical paperback galley of the book**
access to an exclusive virtual book club with me before launch
a bundle of social media assets
and a special book club kit if you choose to gather your people
More than that, you will be supporting work that seems to matter more than ever.
If you want in -even if just for the summer- it's $7/month and you can hit that button below. If not, no sweat.
For more than five years, I have offered my musings on racial justice work through this newsletter in hopes of lending a helpful hand as you create change in your communities. This newsletter has always been free to all, and I will keep it that way as long as I can. When you become a paid subscriber it makes all the difference- for me as a writer as well as the folks who can access this content for free.
Whether you are paid or free, a long time reader or new here- with my whole heart, thank you for supporting Banned. Thank you for supporting me.
**Only available for the first 200 members. This is a pre-published nearly final paperback version of the book.
Austin Channing Brown is the author of NYT Bestseller and Reese Book Club pick, Im Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness. Her next book, Full of Myself will release this fall.