“As iron sharpens iron
So one person sharpens another.”
I’m in a terry cloth robe, stretched out on some Victorian chaise, in a mansion in the Heights (Rochester folks, think Park Avenue). I had no idea I would wake up here to the sweet slant of sunshine and birds chirping as they do in Disney movies. It’s very fly.
And like the best things that happen to me, it was completely unplanned.
Y’all know Houston is an art town, home to some of the world’s most prolific visual artists. And the Black art scene is without compare. The Third Ward or The Tre as locals call it is a hub of Black expression. About a year ago, I was poking around there dolo at some art gallery. It was a disheartening evening. The manager I had been pursuing basically told me to fuck off until I get 7,000 IG followers (if you’ve ever seen me perform “Fuck Your Followers”, you know the story well). I nodded and bit my tongue. “One of my artists is having an opening tonight. You should go. All of the right people will be there.”
I got cute and walked in with my head high. It was dry and boring. The type of art event that oozes with pretentiousness and makes my skin crawl. I grit my teeth and bore it. Met a few of the “right people.” Got invited to the after party.
Fast forward to now. One of the guests at that after party was an incredible photographer, painter, sculptor, you name it. We stayed in touch and last month he asked me to perform at his opening. I performed “Wild Niggas” and killed it and then kicked myself for an hour afterwards because I didn’t plug my IG handle. How else can I get to the allusive 7,000 followers if I don’t shamelessly promote myself?
I’m halfway joking. Fuck the followers. What matters more than number is the connections. Yesterday, when I sat down to write to you a poem bubbled up. “Art niggas.” Inspired by Colby, it’s an ode to every artist born and bred in the hood. To the folks who tell the stories no one else can. I voice recorded it and sent it to him. He invited me to join him at his respite. We drank wine and walked the streets and ate and talked art and keeping the work pure despite the bullshit. Then he took my portrait. So at his next opening I’ll be performing, running a poetry workshop, and featured in his main piece.
I’ll take that over 7,000 followers any day.
Banke Awopetu
Word Goddess
P.S. Today’s opening quote comes from Proverbs 27:17. It means get with the right people. The ones who see and challenge you.
P.P.S. Okay, time for our daily task! Who is the iron in your life? The people who encourage and push you? Make a list and short description of each one.
P.P.P.S. Click here to pre-order New Black before they sell out!
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