Last night I walked the marbled halls of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Their latest exhibition, “Soul of a Nation” features sculpture, photography, speeches, dance, and paintings from the Black Arts Movement. Seeing our agony and joy and triumphs and perpetual struggle in cavernous rooms with vaulted ceilings made me feel insignificant. Am I doing enough?

I was there with an acclaimed visual artist. Thankfully, he didn’t try to explain the work to me, but rather the different ways it has inspired his own. I nodded and bit my tongue to hold back tears. We stepped back out into the humid night. Dined at a Black-owned restaurant where Black musicians serenaded the crowd. Another artist and curator joined us. We shared our burdens and blessings and reverence for this torch that has been passed to us.

So now I must ask, how are you carrying the flame? How is your life honoring your grandmother’s grandmother?

Banke Awopetu
Word Goddess

P.S. Today’s opening quote comes from the artist/curator. Sorry, I can’t use names this time guys… I will say that the acclaimed artist kissed me at the end of the evening and I liked it. I have a hard rule of not dating artists, but…Sigh, we’ll see what happens.  

P.P.S. Okay, time for our daily task! Remember that artist date you imagined for yourself a couple of weeks back? It’s time to take it. Of course, you’ll probably have to make modifications. For instance, if your ideal artist date was to finally go to the African-American museum in D.C., take a virtual tour. 

P.P.P.S. People have been so hype to get their Black tickets! We’re gonna sell out fast. I can feel it! Click here to pre-order New Black before everyone else.