Black queer parents Kristianna and Rose share lessons and blessings from the frontlines of caregiving, discussing parenting as freedom work, unlearning unfreedom, letting their children teach them about liberation, and finding space to seek pleasure. Kweku Abimbola “fabrics the music” in his debut poetry collection Saltwater Demands a Psalm and shares about the beauty of grief. Laquesha Sanders returns to reflect on her mental health journey in part two of our three-part series of her very personal story about student debt. And, as always we leave you with questions. This episode asks: How do we allow children to remain free? What do our children teach us about freedom? How do we as adults heal from the harm we have experienced as children? Send us your thoughts to us@dancingondesks.org or slide into our DMs on IG @dancingondesks.
Transcript (Finalized Friday, June 2, 2023)
INTELLECTUAL INHERITANCE
A is for Activist, Innosanto Nagara
Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm's Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land, SoulFire Farm, Leah Penniman
Emergent Strategy, adrienne maree brown
From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea, Kai Cheng Thom
“History Is A Weapon: They Can't Turn Back,” Mademoiselle (February 1, 1960), James Baldwin
The Memory Librarian, Janelle Monáe
Raising Free People: Unschooling as Liberation and Healing Work, Akilah S. Richards
Saltwater Demands a Psalm, Kweku Abimbola
Sulwe, Lupita Nyong'o
The Wedding Portrait, Innosanto Nagara
MUSIC
Yogic Beats: “IDK”; “Memories”; “Sentiment”; “The Decision”; “Twin Flame”
“Machala” Beatz Vampire
Dancing on Desks Theme Song composed and arranged by Mara Johnson and Elliott Wilkes
