Prentis Hemphill and others in their lineage talk about embodiment as being both about 1) becoming more aware of the shapes and patterns we are already embodying as the result of our particular histories, and 2) about practicing the new shapes we might take, in order to live out or embody more of what we long to be in the world. 

Last month, Jews all over the world celebrated Sukkot. Sukkot is a seven-day festival that celebrates the harvest, and commemorates the story of divine provision during 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. 

One time I was part of a cohort-based learning experience that was about 3/4 folks of color and 1/4 white folks. The thing lasted many months, not just a few. Looking back a few years later, I notice that in all the relationships I built, I did so little connecting with the other white folks in the group. 

Ooof. Where would we be without our strategies for disconnecting from the present for a bit—giving our tired minds and heavy hearts a break from what they’re holding? Losing ourselves in a yummy show, a black hole of cute baby videos on TikTok, or some similarly consuming task to help fill that sometimes-terrifying space between things.

I don’t remember the specifics of when or where, but I can vividly remember what happened in my body, the first couple of times I heard the call from friends and teachers of color to “go get my (white) cousins.”