Lessons in chemistry
Random discoveries make lasting connections (a link-heavy letter of inspirations)
“In a world that entices us to browse through the lives of others to help us better determine how we feel about ourselves, and to, in turn, feel the need to be constantly visible, for visibility these days seems to somehow equate to success.
Do not be afraid to disappear, from it, from us, for a while, and see what comes to you in the silence.”
Michaela Coel
Y’all know I don’t mind disappearing, from socials and in real life too.
“Disappearing” has such a negative connotation to it that I want to reframe it as selectively poppin out & showing folks the meaningful work. (Like joining other Black women writers to share my piece for Blackstack — in a powerful call to other Black women, reaching 750+ community children served through my association The Language Is Love, & the impactful, joyful work I also do as an educator & baker.)
I’m sure you’ve all had your time online and off where you take space to simply be, and friend, that’s just fine.
What came to me in the quiet of being is that your greatness will ensure you’re discovered. It shouldn’t matter to you, as you’re on your path, about the WHEN.
Being hyper visible is exhausting & can drain meaning from your presence & existence. Instead, your energy in the present should be on WHAT you’re accomplishing and HOW you’re making it happen. I’ll venture to include being very mindful of WHO you’re on this journey with.
Your WHY is your compass and WHERE shouldn’t matter as long as you’re free to be yourself, in safety & comfort.
Now .. I started this letter with only a title some weeks ago. I had finished binging a hidden (to me) tv show called Lessons In Chemistry. It’s about a white woman chemist in the 50s who, after discrimination from men in her field, forges her own way as a food show host. Yes friend, that sounds dry as hell right ? I would have never watched if I read the description or thought too much about it, but one night at 2:00AM, I couldn’t sleep and searched for good UK tv shows. (Specifically the UK, & featuring Black leads, because they tell some great stories over that way*).
This show somehow landed on a list of random BBC productions yet it seems its not in anyway affiliated. It for damn sure wasn’t what I was looking for. But! It felt fated for me to watch & I did. I kept hitting play. I kept finding the Black folks’ characters intriguing, no matter how “small” the story was played. (Truly I didn’t give a damn about Patty Mayo shockingly wearing pants when Black women / community couldn’t peacefully exist & it was touched on, sure, but I wished they’d pushed into that a little more.) Still, the acting and story of divine connections and science versus fate/faith pulled me in til I was cross-eyed from sleeplessness and emotional over the ending.
Then, tonight, I randomly discovered a weird horror movie, starting off with another bland white woman (foolishly) in the middle of nowhere. Not too long after her doing something dumb, a beautiful voice caught my ear.
I forgot about the movie, as ADHD took me down a musical rabbit hole of Little Willie John & his vast selection of musical goodness. Rockin 50s hits and classics (that I didn’t know he originally sang, like Fever) hit my spirit.
I also discovered LWJ’s son Keith’s gorgeous song from School Daze, written by Stevie Wonder. (“Little” Stevie was inspired in name & vocals by LWJ when he was coming up & Keith became a longtime background singer for Stevie!)
This deep dive triggered me thinking more on the random timings & connections of our lives, who & what we inspire and influence, and who & what does the same for us.
For so long, I never knew LWJ’s name or voice, and yet, he inspired Sam Cooke —one of the all-time best vocalists, Stevie as mentioned, James Brown… & those greats inspired Donny Hathaway (my all-time favorite), Michael Jackson, the genesis of hip-hop! and more. I too think about the women artists who’ve gone uncredited, like Candi Staton, Della Humphrey, & who they inspired.
Do you see the threads of the theme I’m on?
I find it fascinating how we shape each other’s identities, how we carry each other within us, and overall how we’re all seen & experienced through one another.
Ask yourself:
Who have I inspired?
Where/How are the friends, teachers, people around the world who inspired me?
Even if our names aren’t in print somewhere, in shining lights, or called out loud for accolades — we all have people who see our greatness. (Sometimes they see it & covet it & seek to unceremoniously claim it.) But even then, when our efforts are not discovered in the present, they will get deserved recognition from the right sources – in due time. 💛
Here are my latest inspirations, to hopefully inspire you too:
Taemin — Sexy In the Air (I’ve been a Shawol — SHINee fan — for 10 years now, and each member is ceaselessly creative.) Taemin has been in the game since he was 14, and watching his artistic growth has been very inspiring. He was giving MJ-cosplay when he first went solo, but he’s now carved out his own path!
Chloë deserves her 💐 for how effortlessly talented she is. [Listen to Trouble In Paradise!] Black girls are somehow expected to be exceptional in our inherently cool factor of Blackness, yet both humble and overlooked. & when a Black girl expands into womanhood, naturally innovative and in their own lane, I think folks can struggle to place & elevate her. I’m inspired by this young woman’s brand, music, voice, everything! because she keeps trying different directions and does it all really well.
Remi Wolf — My 1st intro was Photo ID & it felt like a trippy feel-good pill for my busy brain. Every release is unique, fun, lyrically honest, & I love her tone. After watching a video or listening to her good tune, I’m always inspired to create outside of a box. (X)
Until the next letter 💛