Black womyn speak
AS THE RECENT ALABAMA SENATE election showed, the strength of black women is both underestimated and impossible to ignore. Hailed as the demographic that “saved democracy and human decency” ( CNN), tasked with acting as the “moral force” of an immoral country ( the Root), venerated as the “disrespected, unprotected, and neglected” who, nevertheless, persist ( the Guardian), black women remain underserved by stereotypes that fail to see the lives of individuals who make up the body politic. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. | Fall. Climb. Release. offers one opportunity for contemplation as Trinity Dawn Bobo, Keisha Bennett, and Keyierra Collins, three self- described black womyn, all recent graduates of Columbia College, present a mixed bill of premieres that investigate the theme of catharsis from psychological, political, and personal perspectives. Curated by Aaliyah Christina of Catalyst Movmnt, the program is intended to showcase black female experience within a context that includes queer identities, police brutality, mental illness, and our enemy in the White House. “Society often sees black womxn as hard or strong or homogeneous. Sometimes we’re treated as if we can’t properly express our emotions or show the world we live in,” Christina says. “In spite of those in power perpetuating our lowly status, we prevail. In spite of those trying to discredit the important work we do, we sustain. We fight constantly for justice of all people. We create our own safe spaces to hone in on the tumultuous journeys we travel throughout all of our work because no one else will.” — I RENE HSIAO LATHER. RINSE. REPEAT. | FALL. CLIMB. RELEASE. Fri 1/ 5- Sat 1/ 6, 7 PM, Links Hall at Constellation, 3111 N. Western, 73- 281- 0824, linkshall. org, $ 10-$ 12.