BANNED

where the words equality, equity, and inclusion are our love language

by Austin Channing Brown

Footnotes

Furious dancing

Chaos. How else could we possibly describe the times we are living through right now other than as absolute chaos? But I suspect the one thing that bothers you even more than the chaos is the absolute cruelty that the American project continues to dispense to anyone who is not a white, cis, rich man. And while I would love to have something particularly profound to say about this chaos and cruelty, I am left with only a very simple sentence: White supremacy continues to exact a punishing and deadly violence on us all.

Every day tests our resolve because the stakes are high. Bans. Bombs. Raids. People in cages. Constitutional rights shrugged away. Profit over everything. Nature destroyed for AI. Surveillance to aid in control. And it's still getting harder and harder to buy groceries. In seasons when all of this is true, and hyperbole feels impossible because it is that bad, everything else we do feels insignificant, unimportant, or self-indulgent.

But I would like to remind you that when the enemy (white supremacy) is hellbent on the destruction of whole communities- the survival of all that makes you human, matters. The survival of your creativity matters.

Yes. I still need you to write romance books to remind us how love feels.

Yes. I still need you to release that song so we can belt out and breathe in.

Yes. I still you need you to create board games and puzzles and stationary. Yes. I still need you to share recipes and inspire with style and show your beauty and make art. I still need you to laugh out loud and smell the flowers and spin your dress and celebrate your accomplishment. I still need you to tell jokes and offer instruction and create community around the whimsical or nostalgic or simple ways of being.

I need you to remind us that we are human. That we are worthy of our pursuits and interests. That we are more than our struggle. And in the words of Alice Walker, "hard times require furious dancing"

So choreograph that dance. Write that song. Show up to the party.

Dont let white supremacy convince you that you are already dead.

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On A Personal Note

Holy moly. Earlier this week I tip-toed over to the socials and asked you all if you would maybe, possibly be open to considering supporting me if I did a relaunch for Full of Myself. You see, when Full of Myself released I was in the middle of an ocean of grief, just trying to keep my head above water. Though I gave it my best, I wasn't as present for this book launch as I wish I could have been. Because I wasn't at my best, much of the season that is supposed to be exciting and creative and an invitation into joy, is mostly a blur for me.

But I wondered if my time had simply passed. And I almost let embarrassment win. But y'all wouldn't let me.

I asked, and oh my goodness did y'all answer! I received more than 2000 comments of support, and that doesn't include the DMs, emails and texts I received with offers to help.

Let me tell you truthfully. Since my father passed, it has been difficult to hope. I feel a little distrustful of the universe; I keep waiting for it to hurt me again. I am tentative and tender. But over the last few days, you all have allowed me to turn your encouragement into my courage. You have given me space to believe that while I have suffered a loss, I am not (completely) lost. I am right where I'm supposed to be.

And because of your openness, I have spent the last few days putting together the bare bones of a summer tour. And I cannot wait to nail down all the details so we can practice some furious dancing of our own!

About half of the cities with multiple invitations are determined to make this tour cost neutral for me. I dont need to make money on the tour, but as you can imagine flights, hotels, food, ride share- it all adds up fast. If you, your church or organization would be willing to help make this tour possible, you can make a purchase of these new 5x7 posters.

And of course, the summer tour isn't the only way to get me to your city! I miss having speaking gigs on your college campuses and with your nonprofit teams and on behalf of your antiracism networks. If you have a conference or event coming up and you're looking for speakers, please feel free to reach out to Lyceum, who helps me manage requests.