Hello Friend,
This past month has been incredibly difficult for me. Even though my whole life has been a constant marathon of navigating and combatting systemic racism, it has been particularly taxing to simultaneously process how to be a helpful activist during this time, while also coping with my own lived experiences as a black woman in this world.
Whenever I log into the news or show up at a protest, my emotional state becomes a precarious rollercoaster ride. My emotions include being paralyzed by fear and crippled by uncertainty infused with an occasional revival of hope. Although there is a lot more personal healing that we need to make space for and more societal action that needs to be held accountable, writing this letter to you on the 155th anniversary of General Order No. 3 fills me with me with the love, pride, and strength needed to continue my commitment to fighting for myself, our bipoc trans family, police abolition, and black and brown communities that struggle to survive due to historic marginalization.
Although I may be slow to respond to text messages and DMs you may have sent me, I want to let you know that you are on my mind and in my heart and I have so much I want to share with you. Especially during difficult, yet important, times like these, I wanted to create a way to be able to have conversations with you without us feeling the pressure of having to respond immediately or at all. You may also already know how much I love making art, especially if it involves Adobe InDesign. As a way to stay connected, engaged, and heard, I want to send monthly letters that include digital collages that contain links to various articles, videos, soundbites, that have resonated with me. Each month will have a theme and I welcome you to share links and/or your reflections. Whatever is comfortable with you.
This month, I wanted to create a space to stress how much BLACK LIVES MATTER. To get the full experience of this month’s digital collage, all you have to do is download my collage here. Once you click the various images, you will be redirected to other sites that contain interesting content that have resonated with me lately.
I hope this month’s letter speaks to you and I hope you’re being good to yourself.
Happy Juneteenth!
Love,
Nneka
June 2020 collage by Nneka Sobers (@nnxka): BLACK LIVES MATTER
