Bomani Armah - Invidious

Today’s Libation:
Audre Geraldine Lorde
February 18, 1934 – November 17, 1992
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audre_Lorde
www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/audre-lorde
An American writer, womanist, radical feminist, professor, and civil rights activist. A self-described “black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet,” Audre Lorde dedicated both her life and her creative talent to confronting and addressing injustices of racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia. Concerned with modern society’s tendency to categorize groups of people, Lorde fought the marginalization of such categories as “lesbian” and “black woman.” She was central to many liberation movements and activist circles, including second-wave feminism, civil rights and Black cultural movements, and struggles for LGBTQ equality.

“Your silence will not protect you," - Audre Lorde

The weight of those six words. We live in a world where we keep our fears and traumas tucked in. Keeping swept away in shadows or behind smiles. This quote from Audre Lorde cuts right to the chase. It tells us the truth that so many of us need. I read recently that every animal is born with the instinctual skill they most need to survive. They are able to do this immediately. Giraffe are able to run. Dolphins are able to swim. Humans are able to cry out of help. That’s the skill we should all probably use more often. Letting the world know what’s going on and what we need. I know I needed this advice. Thanks for the wisdom Mama Audre.

We never forget so never fear,
for homies who ain’t here, we’re pouring out a beer
Because of you it will never be the same
We keep saying your name while we pour champagne
For the mothers and the father figures,
your flame still flickers, we’re pouring out some liquor
We’re the sons and the daughters of heroes and martyrs
We honor you by pouring out some water

2 years ago | [YT] | 7

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Bomani Armah

Today’s Libation:
Ava Muhammad
1951 – August 25, 2022
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ava_Muhammad
amsterdamnews.com/news/2022/09/01/nation-of-islam-…

National spokesperson for the Nation of Islam. In 1998 she became the first female Minister to preside over a mosque and region in the history of the Nation of Islam (NOI). Her job as national spokesperson for Minister Farrakhan was among the most prominent in the nation — a post formerly held by Malcolm X under Nation of Islam patriarch Elijah Muhammad. Minister Ava Muhammad is also a member of the Muslim Girls Training (MGT). According to her obituary she is the first Muslim woman in modern history to occupy a position of authority over a mosque anywhere in the world. She served as the Nation of Islam’s Southern Regional Minister.

“You can’t build a nation when you get off of work .” - Ava Muhammad

Man. This one hits right in the chest. A shot straight from the hip. The idea that we’re being truly revolutionary in a part time capacity falls apart when Mama Ava says it like that. I hope that my 9-5 is a crucial part of nation building. I truly believe it is, but I’m ready to quit that 9-5 to get I’m even deeper into nation building. No disrespect for 9-5’s. We just need to recognize what to expect from the effort we put in. Everyone who knew Ava Muhammad said she was about that life. Let’s pour libation for her.

We never forget so never fear,
for homies who ain’t here, we’re pouring out a beer
Because of you it will never be the same
We keep saying your name while we pour champagne
For the mothers and the father figures,
your flame still flickers, we’re pouring out some liquor
We’re the sons and the daughters of heroes and martyrs
We honor you by pouring out some water

2 years ago | [YT] | 5

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Bomani Armah

Today’s Libation:
Frederick Douglass
February 1818 – February 20, 1895
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Douglass
www.history.com/topics/black-history/frederick-dou…
An American abolitionist, social reformer, orator, writer, and statesman. After escaping from slavery in Maryland, he became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York, becoming famous for his oratory and incisive antislavery writings. Accordingly, he was described by abolitionists in his time as a living counterexample to slaveholders' arguments that slaves lacked the intellectual capacity to function as independent American citizens. Northerners at the time found it hard to believe that such a great orator had once been a slave. It was in response to this disbelief that Douglass wrote his first autobiography.

“It is not light that we need, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake.” - Frederick Douglass

This is an extended version of the quote they highlight when you visit Douglass’ house in anacostia. When asked by a young Black man what we must do, Douglass simply answered “agitate”. This is what the storm and the whirlwind and the earthquake do. Humans measure time from before and after these earth shattering moments. That’s what our movements must be like. It must leave the ground wide open for new things because we’ve destroyed the old structures that could not withstand them. That’s the work Douglass did. Thank you for putting it in such succinct words.

We never forget so never fear,
for homies who ain’t here, we’re pouring out a beer
Because of you it will never be the same
We keep saying your name while we pour champagne
For the mothers and the father figures,
your flame still flickers, we’re pouring out some liquor
We’re the sons and the daughters of heroes and martyrs
We honor you by pouring out some water

2 years ago | [YT] | 2

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