Today I am missing home. I’m missing our activists, poets and writers who are on the frontlines fighting for human rights. What I’m NOT missing are our politics, the injustices, the corruption, and the complete lack of respect for black and brown bodies. I made the mistake of logging into my social media and it was flooded with poison and horrible news happening back home and around the world. Minnesota cop acquitted after he murdered a black man in front of his partner and child. Fires in the United Kingdom that killed over 80 people in a building in the UK high rise/housing where most of the residents who died were people of color. These folks were told that in an emergency they should not leave their apartments. There was only one stairwell and many burned to death. Lightning caused deadly fires and people were burned alive in their cars. A dear friend passed away. Many are suffering from depression or other forms of mental illness. A mother was shot after she called the cops because their was an intruder in her house, she leaves three children.
And all of this just found just scrolling my feed in five minutes. Devastation overload. It’s no wonder those of us who are empaths feel what’s happening deeply. There is this sense of hopelessness. Today I will sit by the lake and write for a while.
This morning my writing is dedicated to Philando Castile, Charleena Lyles, all those who are suffering, those we have lost and those working tirelessly everyday to ensure that we have the life we each deserve.
C2C
1. Arrive to Listvyanka, group boat ride and then day to ourselves.
2. Five hours of writing daily from this point forward.
3. Email check in/update/love letter to someone back home.
Writing prompt:
1. In what ways does hopelessness show up as a theme in what your story or something you are writing? What does this hopelessness look like/feel like? Does your character find her/his way out? Describe this as a scene with vivid details and dialogue.
Writing time: everyday we will block at the very least 5 hours of writing time for our projects. Please send me an update on your progress. Where are you getting stuck? How can I support you? Email me the subjects you are writing about and I will provide prompts that tie into your needs.
Love,
Iyawó
Send daily check in email: findingyourforce@gmail.com
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The Writer and The Story 