#thewaterdancer

passage of the days. #thewaterdancer https://www.instagram.com/p/CZqt5RJLXqE/?utm_medium=tumblr

“But we must tell our stories, and not be ensnared by them.” Ta-Nehisi Coates's historical fantasy novel The Water Dancer is a slowly and painstakingly woven narrative of resilience and persistence in the face of one of human history's most horrific episodes. Set against the backdrop of the rumblings of the American Civil War, the novel’s young black protagonist Hiram learns that he has the power of "conduction", a power shared by Harriet Tubman herself, which enables them to “fold the earth like fabric” and transport or "conduct" themselves and other people over great distances. However, to be able to access his power, he needs to access a powerful emotional memory, that of his mother, the one person he has no memory of, despite his otherwise superhuman mnemonic abilities. Memory, storytelling and the strength of a found family are important running themes in the novel, and become powerful tools in the hands of the “Tasked” in their path to freedom from the Task or enslavement. The magic of the world that Coates has constructed is also dependent on these very powerful emotions. As part of the theme of memory and community, the novel pushes for the idea that there is strength in the collective in overcoming memory as a burden and turning it into a tool of emancipation. The insistence on the value of found family, a family you choose for yourself, regardless of blood ties (and often, as in the case of Hiram, despite blood ties) becomes an act of resistance in the face of the fear and mistrust of love and attachment that the conditions of slavery would try to enforce on its victims. Another important theme in the novel is that of the relationship between water, memory and community. This speaks to broader themes relating to water and Atlantic slavery that I will explore in a future post. 5/5 🌟& full review on #goodreads (link in bio) Cover art: Calida Garcia Rawles #tanehisicoates #thewaterdancer #historicalfiction #slavenarratives #historyofslavery #atlanticslavetrade #middlepassage #harriettubman #blackhistory #blackliterature #bookstagramusa #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #foundfamily #fantasygenre #magicrealism #fivestarread #bestbooksof2019 https://www.instagram.com/p/CRSISJKrFY0/?utm_medium=tumblr

A caption from Ta-Nehisi Coates video post about The Water Dancer "Naming Rites - I get asked a lot about the vocab choices in #thewaterdancer--why the tasked, the quality, the low etc. My sense is that those of us seeking freedom, invariably must look for for new words to describe their reality. At least that's what my pops thought when he gave me this half-ghetto half-African name. To claim freedom you have to name it. And though my Dad came out the Panthers and the 60s, I think his notion is well within the tradition and is as old as Frederick Bailey, Malcolm Little and Araminta Ross. And just as the need for new names is true of my struggle, I suspect it's true of all struggles. Sometimes we forget that, when really those of us who've been everything from Negro to Nigga, from Colored to Contraband, should be the first to know. Game recognize game. At least it should.” . This reminds me of a line from “Coded Language” by @saulwilliams that has always stuck with me since it came out 19 years ago. . "Let your children name themselves and claim themselves as the new day for today we are determined to be the channelers of these changing frequencies into songs, paintings, writings, dance, drama, photography, carpentry, crafts, love, and love.” . #poetry #blackonblackbk #wefight #weresist #wewillwin #outfittingtherevolution #deconstructtheconstruct #blaaaaacknificent #blackpower #blackpride #supportblackbusiness #supportblackart (at Bedford-Stuyvesant) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSNJSSvlV9A/?utm_medium=tumblr

I Just made some critical calls to register voters in Michigan! Join me & make calls anytime @ theNEAT.org/Vote #Vote2020 #NWAPowerrr a good kitty helps grind through the worst of times and studying the rules once again for the elections My Ronie knows how to cheer me up and help get out the vote #SwordArtOnline #AEWDynamite A good book also helps #TheWaterDancer (at Newcastle, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGoAv3GAgx_/?igshid=hihqk12o1bmw

Internet book club #internetbookclub #reading #upnext #thewaterdancer #tanehisicoates https://www.instagram.com/p/CEsZxDdJsea/?igshid=1nfymce32qrtf

♡ #justread #thewaterdancer #tanehisicoates #goodreads #beautifulread #lovetoread #booksbooksbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CEhTnw3ltbh/?igshid=ym6kyhf874p4

1) I say read everything by Ta-Nehisi Coates. 2)I believe there’s something wonderful about every black woman named Sophia. 3) Memory and it’s power of conduction are everything. 4) I truly believe water ( and family) is magical. It’s really bothering I’m unable to go home home due to the pandemic. 5)I’m never reading just one book. It was an interesting coincidence to finish two books in one day. #readthenreadsomemore #thewaterdancer #justjstrong #blackwomenread #tanehisicoates https://www.instagram.com/p/CDH_utchF9ovc33Y7Ez_b1f_kvcasv5_3_nnQA0/?igshid=19pn1mxj29ky0

⁣ ⁣you want me to be yours, i understand. i have always understood it. but what you must get is that for me to be yours, i must never be yours. do you understand what i’m saying? i must never be any man’s. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣i just finished reading #thewaterdancer by @tanehisipcoates and although it wasn’t what I was expecting, the story was so unique and the writing was beautiful. let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions for a new book. (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAnc8pKJxwp/?igshid=1iwf434m1jdzn