So, a little bit ago Trish and I went to see a show at a place in Richmond called The Basement. Yes, And! Theatrical Co. produced it. The show was a cabaret style retrospective of black excellence and artistry. Five artists presented various pieces both solo and ensemble. It was righteous. The talent was incredible. I left inspired.
I left inspired to finish my dissertation.
I know. What the hell? How was that even a thing? But here it is…
The artists offered “Narratives,” the name of the show, to each piece. They would share a little of their autobiographies and their passionate impulse to make art. One person said “the blessing won’t come until you’re ready“ and that stayed with me. I could nitpick because that’s what I do, but the truth is staring me in the face. Was I ready? I don’t think I was. I think I jumped the gun. I was ready for the coursework, but not ready to write a dissertation. And I don’t say that because I didn’t write the dissertation, but because everything in me just refused to write dissertation, I found every other possible distraction beyond even the legitimate ones. So, it’s time to reboot. It’s time to ask myself if I am ready for the blessing.
Yes, higher education is a blessing. How do I know? Because one of the artists has his doctorate. He preached on the virtue of showing up. Not phoning it in, but actually showing up with your whole self. Your voice. Your mind. Your heart. Your soul. All of it. his education was a blessing. And he pays it forward.
In my experience of whiteness, resting on one’s laurels is a virtue. Resting on one’s privilege is the entitlement to beat all other entitlements. One earns the right to do nothing with ones achievements.
This is why I keep saying that privileges are the shadow side to blessings.
Black excellence, as it was presented in this show, refutes that notion. It refuses to stand down. It proclaims itself. It says, “Here I am. Deal with it.“
It also asked the question, “Who are you not to bring your whole self? Your community needs you to bring your whole self.”
Right. That. That’s the kicker. One does not achieve solely for oneself. One achieves, strives, seeks that blessing, for the sake of others. Your gifts are needed.
What a radical notion.
So, as the show ended, I said to myself, “Well shit. Now I need to finish. Anything else would be phoning it in. Anything else would be a lie. Am I ready for the blessing”
That’s what happened when I went to the theater.
Now, does a white man have the right to be inspired by black excellence? I could be wrong here, but I would certainly hope so. If black excellence inspires one not to mimic the black experience, but to be inspired by those who present themselves so passionately and so completely to do the same…why not embrace the inspiration and do likewise?
Who are you not to live your fullest, human-sized life?
Damn. What a question.
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