From We Do This ‘til We Free Us by Mariame Kaba - in a chapter written by Kelly Hayes:
When you say, “What would we do without prisons?” what you are really saying is: “what would we do without civil death, exploitation, and state-sanctioned violence?” That is an old question and the answer remains the same: whatever it takes to build a society that does not continuously rearrange the trappings of annihilation and bondage while calling itself “free.” To know freedom or safety, and to make peace with our own fears, passive punishments must be replaced with active amends and accountability. Transformation is possible, but it will not be televised…”
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That last part! It feels scary and hopeful that transformation a combination of small shifts over time amongst alot of people. As individuals, we can’t really see all the ways that things are changing - it takes spiritual faith to trust that the things we embody and do in this lifetime is part of it.
I’ve been following the prison strikes and learning about prison labor/slavery that’s happening here in the states. The prison strike link goes to a tiktok that talks about the 10,000 person strike in Alabama. A few days ago, I saw some videos go viral about how prisons would fall apart if the prisoners stopped working…and how they hope that these videos would reach the inside of the prisons. As I’m learning about this, I’m simultaneously hopeful of change and also sickened by what I’m learning. I knew it was slavery in another form, but I didn’t know they are forced to work at fast food chains, whole foods, cosco, and target.
My point is the more we learn about truth and reality, the closer we are to transformation and suffering.
Keep on following my stream of consciousness. Where I get tripped up is when I see big things like this happen, I can’t see how anything that I’m doing is helping. Is that ego-centric? I don’t know - maybe it is. Maybe it’s not thinking as part of the collective! How is leading some workshops about liberatory imagination or being in integrity with myself or building relationships that are aligned or doing a direct action or posting on social media helpful? I can’t see it connect, but what I’m learning…is that I’m a startling bird murmuration (from Emergent Strategy). You can’t really see what’s happening when you’re in it. There might be these big moments where everyone can celebrate a win, but the work behind those moments will most likely be unseen.
Pivoting from those thoughts, I’m checking in with myself right now as I write this, and I don’t feel well. My back molar is in pain and it’s shooting down my neck into my shoulders. Usually when I’m stressed, that back part of my mouth gets inflamed. There’s anxious energy in my body. *Taking in a deep clearing breath*
I’m going to a direct action tomorrow, and I’m looking forward to it. It has been a struggle to get over my anxiety of how I should best apply myself since I’ve gotten back from my one month “break.” Since the decision has been made that I’m doing it, I feel a relief.
Today, I decided to start a night time routine (for the 100000th time.) Somehow my morning routine is strong and has been for years - but the evening one doesn’t stick. It will this time! I just got a new book called The Deep by Rivers Solomon. The novel is about enslaved African women who became mermaids when they were thrown off of the ship by their enslavers. I’m going to take a hot shower, start the book, and forget about the piles of unwashed dishes in the sink. I can hear the rain outside my window - so another added bonus.
Thank you for following my very disjointed thoughts of the day!
What does Liberatory Imagination spark in me today?
Faith. Faith I am that tiny bird in a murmuration. I’m not the leader of it - I am an important part of it, but it doesn’t center me. I trust that the small movements that I make counts. It’s also knowing I might not see the bigger picture in this lifetime and that’s ok.
(below is a photo of a startling murmuration)
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