What Dreams May Come: Voice

Not to be confused with arrogance and ego, self-expression is one of the most beautiful things that we as humans are gifted to do.  Ego and arrogance boasts that when expressing oneself, one has the audacity to assume or assert that others NEED or SHOULD be not only listening but benefiting.  I do not assume any of this but I appreciate the opportunity to share myself with whomever would take the time to give her audience.  I have been blessed with many gifts and talents, some involving expressing myself, some involving sensing and seeing others, and others involving finally, taking what I discern from others as an empath and giving voice to what I have found.  In this time of self cultivation, I must give birth to anything I can possibly create from within.  I still have yet to post pictures of my jewelry.  Well, find some of those pictures posted here and on my artisan's website page http://www.artfire.com/users/OmoOshunAdornments.  However, I also have the opportunity to showcase my work next week (with plans to unveil new pieces to be created during the course of this week and this weekend, since it is a long "holiday" weekend... I'll make the day hallowed in my own way... I might even post some blog thoughts on just that ;-))  Also be on the look out for my first ever attempt at posting pictures and possibly video of my creative process.

As of tonight, I've also picked back up my pen, graphite and brush.  I definitely look forward to reclaiming my studio art skills.  Ya know, drawing and painting and so forth.... Yeah, it's about to go down lol.

More on the showcasing next week: So for those who may not know, I serve in a position of leadership on campus at Boston College.  I am on the executive board of SIESTA (Sisters Influencing and Empowering Sisters Through Assembly) in which we broach topics, host discussion and create programming around one simple yet intricate thing: giving the experiences of women of color a voice, while also fostering sisterhood.  SIESTA runs through the Women's Resource Center on campus.  I also serve as the ALC (AHANA Leadership Council) representative for SIESTA which also therefore means the WRC simultaneously.  We have some major things planned this year.  Stay tuned for that :-).  Once every semester, the WRC hosts an event called AROO (A Room of Our Own) where all BC women are invited to show off their artistic prowesses through whichever type of media they prefer.  Although I've been asked to do spoken word, I have chosen instead to showcase my handmade craft/adornments.

Given my work and my recent readings by Audre Lorde and Carole Boyce Davies, bell hooks and the like, I only believe even more firmly that it is SO CRUCIAL that Black Womb-men are not forced into silences and not talked over by whatever the various dominant narratives say about us, as we are marginalized in myriad ways coming from all directions as systems of oppression intersect.  Regardless to when, where, how and by any means necessary, we must exclame! Audience be damned! Even if nobody listens, SPEAK SISPTAHS!