Here it is, friends, that time when we talk about slavery, racism, and how we as fellow humans have responsibility to each other!
In today's special episode, I interview Cree Gordan about a book we both love - Kindred, by Octavia Butler. Here's a brief synopsis for those who haven't read it:
Dana, a black woman living in Los Angeles in 1976, is repeatedly pulled back in time to the early 1800's to save the life of one of her ancestors - a white plantation and slave owner named Rufus. Throughout the story, Rufus the white man, must be saved by Dana the black woman. On the other hand, she must save him to save herself.
Cree describes the story as both a "Grim fantasy, but also as, "A light at the end of the tunnel." It's much more than mere science-fiction, it's a story about "living in the in-between," and discovering kinship amidst the whole human race.
We discover that a story about slavery is not just a story about and for Blacks, nor is it just a story about "those evil white people." It's a story about all people, and for all people, because all sorts of people were involved.
Embedded in the story is the idea that what I do, even in secret, affects my whole system, be it family, neighborhood, parish, or society...and ultimately legacy.
This book was written, among other things, to invite an examination of slavery. It is, "A journey to self-discovery." This is a difficult thing to do, because it was an ugly chapter in American history. In this, Moses points out that, "There is no neutral response to evil." But in facing up to the evils of our time, and our legacy, we have a responsibility to take action, at the very least being a fully present witness to the pain of it carried by our neighbors.
As a side-note, we get to talk about gender, particularly the rigid molds of masculinity that have afflicted far too many men. This is the mold of needing to be powerful and in control and invulnerable, and most devastating, unable to be wrong. When a man is stuck here, is is highly likely to harm others, to perpetuate evil, and not be safe to be wrong, which means he cannot repent, learn, change, heal, or heal others.
As readers, we muse on how do we know a story is great? We conclude that we know a story is great when we can go back to it every few years, in multiple life stages, and each time coming away having learned something.
The Lessons from Kindred are not race specific, but for all peoples.
Cree says, "[Kindred] teaches us to look inward."Also, "We all play our role...a part in the world. What part are we playing? What part do we want to play?" It is vital to ask of one's self, in one's place in the world, "Who am I in all of this?" And, "How am I approaching the work to best serve everyone?"
Moses says, "We need to do the work to get to know each other. Only in this way can we fulfill the commandment to Love your neighbor as yourself."
Cree keeps their contact info simple - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and all the internet, look up @creesmiles (butCree Gordon on Tik Tok) and Creesmiles@yahoo.com
For more information about Moses, subscribe at www.mosesbernabe.com, or support at www.patreon.com/mosesbernabe.
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