Four Things I've Learned at the Folklife Festival

#1 I learned two new stories. I am pretty serious about this training to be a storyteller thing - my dues to NABS, notwithstanding. (National.Association.of.Black.Storytellers) One about two sisters... definitely requires a slightly older audience and some finesse on the lesson. And one about King Hippo - which I have already told differently twice.

#2 I learned that Sister Sanchez is emboldened and comforted by the work I am my contemporaries are doing. I have known for some time that she is really into the work of building supporting loving young writers, young poets, young black people. But to hear her specifically reference me and other folks I knew was a whole other experience. (and a reminder that i need to stay on my game... for a reason. there is much work to do.)

#3 I learned a new concept around "technology." In chatting with Baba Teju (one of the storytellers who has done some major training as a healer-warrior during his extended stay in Africa in which he discovered he was the oldest living male of his tribe... so that made him chief... a whole other story. i digress...), he alluded to the various technologies associated with particular cultures. The Europeans as "mechanical" technology; Chinese as "body" technology; Native Americans as "nature" technology; and Africans as "spiritual" technology. He, of course, was focusing on the loss or manipulation or disavowing of African spiritual technology by black people... but I began ruminating. So... if you have the keepers or teachers or "naturals" of particular technologies... and each of these technologies is powerful, but none of them are particularly self-sufficient to builing or healing a world... doesn't this work as an alternate ending to the story of what we lost via the tower of Babylon? What if it was the separation of technologies, not the separation of languages... and therefore, in order to evolve and move the planet forward, all the people would have to come together to reunite the technologies into our "whole." hmmm....

#4 I learned I am beautiful in Columbia. Because I now have two Columbian stalkers (and at least ten gawkers and yesmen). Stalkers are never good ... but this has been a clear indication that "I" (meaning what I represent, my general look) am still the standard of beauty somewhere. It has been quite...reinforcing. Yes, we have "These Hips" and, sure, there is "AFRODITE", and .... yes, sisters can compliment each other and write odes to ourselves all daggone day. But there is always something special added to your day when a brother tells you that you are beautiful. And, for whatever reason... that just doesn't happen enough.