Bookish Family,
If I seem a bit off and all over the place, it's because I am. Please bear with me.
This has been a hellish 90 days. Please don't be alarmed, the bookstore is thriving. We're getting our groove back and it feels good. However, the world is in peril and I can't seem to drag myself from under the cloud.
I spent the entire week excitedly drafting this email to you. I'm so proud to have been included on this list. Not that Cafe con Libros wasn't already on "the map;" of course we were 'cause you put us there! However, this list represents something beautiful. Something magical. Something powerful. And, we're on it.
Plus, I can't lie...it's Oprah Mag. And anything Miss O literally takes me to another place. I trust her. I've trusted her my entire life so to be part of her tribe; even a small part, well, I am on a natural high!
AND, I'm also on the verge of tears. What a nightmare 2020 has been on so many levels. RBG is gone. John Lewis is gone. Chadwick Boseman is gone. Close to 200k Americans are gone due to COVID19. The West Coast is burning down.
Let's not forget our Spring and Summer heartaches.
We've suffered immeasurable loss. And, I'm fighting to hold on.
When certain folx leave the physical realm, I feel less secure in the world. This is not hyperbole; it's the only way I can describe the metaphysical response to their passing. I started to take notice when Nelson Mandela died. I felt sick. It happened again when Maya Angelou died. I nearly collapsed when I read about Toni Morrison. I lost my breath when John Lewis passed; I taught him for 8 years in my community organizing classes. With Chadwick, I lost a sense of my own safety at 41 years old. And I hit the deck - literally, kneeled down on the Coney Island Board
Walk when I heard of RBG. How much more can any of us take?
So, I am feeling good about this O Mag collaboration! I'm so humbled by what you all have helped me to create that would allow them to even pay attention to us. I'm also sad, scared and tired of living this dystopian novel every single day. I am angry because rather than sitting with my grief, I'm worried about SCOTUS.
We are losing more than just people; we are losing a sense of humanity as folx fight for power. I don't have answers. I just have a resolve to persist (pun intended).
Community, take good care of you and yours. I'm making space to celebrate our small wins. I will also make space to mourn. I hope you do the same to achieve whatever balance you need. Sending you all virtual hugs and THANK YOU for being part of this community.
And, thank you to McKenzie Jean-Philippe for this opportunity.
In the meantime, please find recommendations to help with the healing process.
always, kqd.
