Nourishing the Spirit: Music & Self-Care with Reverend Liz
While Organizing Stories strives to investigate the valuable histories of racial justice organizing and coalition-building through humanistic study through workshops and interviews, we acknowledge that the individuals who grace us with their experiences and knowledge are people first. Activism can be taxing, especially given that it requires us to intimately engage with inequality. Consistently basking in the not-so-pretty parts of our reality must be complemented with intentional self-care and rest.
Likewise, our Organizers Library is more than just books. It features songs and poems and quotes that sustain activists from around the globe throughout their fights for liberation. We’re so happy to share with you a few gems that Dr. Reverend Liz leans on for emotional and spiritual support, as well as well-deserved rest. Be sure to let us know how you like to unwind and replenish yourself too!
Dr. Liz loves to turn to music when she needs a quick pick-me-up. Whether she needs to churn out a new chapter of research or feel inspired in the face of defeat, “Break Every Chain” never fails to reinvigorate her. When asked what song was on her heart, she instantly recounted this beautiful song which the Poor People’s Campaign sings at the end of most of their mass meetings. This song preaches that there’s an army rising up to break every chain making us believe that we aren’t strong enough to change the status quo. She enjoys writing her sermons to this song, so try turning it on whenever you need to get your creative juices flowing!
“In order to recover, we must first recover the society that keeps on making us sick.” With this in mind, Dr. Liz loves to spend time with her 8 and 11 year old children. They frequently enjoy Harry Potter, Black Panther, and bingo together whenever they need to take a break from their daily obligations. “I heal and care for myself in a community of people,” says Dr. Liz. She looks forward to gamenights with her family on Wednesdays, and holds herself accountable to this freetime by refusing to schedule work-related activities during this bonding time. We encourage you to protect your designated rest time too. Having free time does not mean that you have to be available. Allocate time in your schedule to treat yourself to a bath or some laughs with friends with the same vigor in which you schedule meetings and time to study. You are more than the demands of your work.
