Requiem for a Nest

"Healing trauma requires us to face the truth about our history and our present, to confront the ways in which we have been complicit in the suffering of others, and to take responsibility for our own liberation." 

- Larry Ward, America's Racial Karma: An Invitation to Heal

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Confronting the Wounds

During the Black Exhale Nest project, our non-BIPOC project collaborator used the n-word in the presence of one of the system-impacted Black men in the project. It was repeated twice more in the presence of the project lead. This racial trauma caused deep wounds and undermined the sense of safety and sanctuary that Black Exhale strives to create.

The use of this word, steeped in centuries of oppression and violence, is a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of the collective shadow, and the ongoing need for racial literacy, sensitivity, and accountability. It is crucial to acknowledge the harm caused by these points of encounter, and all that followed—rather than override and minimize—and to provide resources for processing the trauma it evoked.

This project gave each participant the opportunity to face their own wounds, similarly, we were called to do the same at the level of organization and society. Here, pain is named, felt, and then integrated. Here there is also complexity and beauty.

Lastly, as the project lead, I recognize my responsibility in not fully anticipating and mitigating the potential for harm from external partners. This experience has been a profound lesson in the ongoing work of creating sanctuary that honors ancestral presence, transparency, and vulnerability.

The Ethics of Looking

When engaging with the stories and images of Black bodies, it is crucial to consider the ethics of looking. Historically, Black bodies have been subjected to voyeurism and stripped of agency. The Black Exhale Nest project aims to reclaim the Black gaze and voice, ensuring that Blackness is not passively subject to any gaze and that the individuals sharing their stories maintain agency and control over their narratives and likeness.

Requiem for a Nest

The collaboration with the photographer and nest builder ruptured as the ancestral wounds that surfaced during the project made it clear that the space was not a true sanctuary. Additionally, we acknowledge that this is a symptom of a much larger conversation that our society has not yet been able to navigate. The poem "Requiem for a Nest" by Wanda Coleman serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced and the need to reframe and recenter the project.

Moving Forward

Black Exhale remains dedicated to creating sanctuary for healing and reparations work. The stories shared by the participants will be honored and shared in a way that centers their experiences. As an organization, Black Exhale will continue to interrogate, discuss, and deconstruct the wounds of historical trauma while working towards collective healing.

We invite you to engage with these stories and images with empathy, respect, and a commitment to supporting the ongoing work of healing and repair.

Resources

What Are Black Sanctuaries and How Do We Portray Them in Photography?

In this article, photographer Asia Ewart explores Black sanctuaries through her lens, capturing spaces of safety, community, and joy for Black folk. She emphasizes the importance of visual representation in creating and affirming spaces where Blackness can be celebrated and nurtured, free from the oppressive gaze of mainstream society. Highlighted is the power of art and storytelling in fostering healing, resilience, and the reclaiming of Black agency.

Ada Limón on "Requiem for a Nest" by Wanda Coleman

In this essay, Ada Limón reflects on Wanda Coleman's poem "Requiem for a Nest," exploring themes of loss, resilience, and the search for sanctuary. This piece resonates with the challenges faced and the need to reframe and recenter the project.

Why it’s so hard to talk about the N-word by Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor 

Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor's TED Talk delves into the complex history and emotional weight of the n-word, providing context for understanding the trauma evoked by its use in the sanctuary space of the project. This resource offers valuable insights into the ongoing impact of this word and the importance of addressing it directly.

Still Processing: The N-Word (Hosted by Wesley Morris and Jenna Wortham)

In this episode of the Still Processing podcast, hosts Wesley Morris and Jenna Wortham engage in a candid discussion about the n-word, its cultural significance, and the challenges surrounding its use. This conversation provides a nuanced perspective on the topic.

“Why can they use the n-word (and every other slur), but I can’t?” Taking a historical trauma-informed approach to answer complicated questions

This article by Chelsi Clark offers a historical and trauma-informed perspective on the use of the n-word and other slurs, addressing common questions and misconceptions. It provides valuable context for understanding the harm caused and the importance of racial literacy and sensitivity.

Toomer, Marshall, and the Il/Legibility of Black Pain

In this essay, Zakiyyah Iman Jackson explores the relationship between Black suffering, illegibility, and the white gaze. This piece grapples with the challenges of representing Black experiences and the importance of centering Black agency and subjectivity in the face of systemic oppression.

Naked: Revealing and Redeeming Black Bodies Through the Exercise of Moral Agency Under Constraint

Courtney Bryant's article examines the agency and moral autonomy of Black folk in the face of oppression and constraint. This resource highlights the resilience and transformative potential of reclaiming the Black gaze and asserting control over one's narrative.

CHAPTERS:

1
REQUIEM FOR
A NEST

Confronting the wounds and ethics of the Black Exhale Nest project.

2
CREATING SANCTUARY

Witnessing the process of building sacred space for healing and remembrance.

3
VOICES OF RESILIENCE

Bearing witness to the stories of system-impacted Black men and gender non-conforming people.

4
HONORING
THE ANCESTORS

Recognizing the ancestral presence
that guides and sustains the work of
healing and liberation.

5
SACRED REFLECTIONS

Engaging in personal reflection and collective action through an interactive altar space.

6
EDUCATE YOURSELF

Exploring resources that align with the themes of collective trauma, healing, and resilience.