Thread by @levarburton

I have not seen the video. Those who love me most have urged me not to. One of the truths playing Kunta Kinte taught me is that the dehumanization of Black people was necessary to the success of our enslavement.

Throughout every stage of the prodigious growth and advancement of this Nation that core belief; the less than human nature of my people, Black people, has consistently remained a constant component of our national identity. I doubt that this will ever change.

Like many of you I am hurting today. And although I recognize my rage and despair to be appropriate responses to this waking nightmare, I am frightened by their power.

I don’t need to watch yet another Black man be beaten to death, especially by another Black man, to understand that rage is central to these acts of murder. I don’t need to see another Mother at the microphone to understand the crippling nature of her despair.

It is our ability to both feel as well as inflict pain that binds us together in our humanness.

One of my favorite scenes in ROOTS is the naming scene, where infant, Kunta is held aloft to the heavens by his father, Omoro. As the ritual goes, while lifting the newborn to the sky words to the following effect are exclaimed…“Behold, the only thing greater than yourself!”

I have seen a picture of #TyreNichols holding up his infant Son this way. It nearly broke me. Such is the power of imagery.

Take care of yourselves today, Y’all. For my own part I will seek out the power of Nature to soothe the spirit and heal and heal body and Soul.

Amen. 💜

#TyreNichols You didn’t deserve to be taken out like that. May we all be inspired by your sacrifice. May your immortal Soul be at peace.