FreeQuency Frequently Writes

2018 Women of the World Poetry Slam Champion 👑2017 TED Speaker 🕺🏿BUY MY BOOK BECOMING//BLACK NOW AT www.freequencyspeaks.com| [email protected]| IG: @MwendersInSuspenders | Twitter: @FreeQthaMighty | FreeQuency (Mwende Katwiwa)

[freeqthamighty]

Once a year I reshare this photo and sit back and smile. It happens on July 2nd, the anniversary of @noirlinians 🥰 when i tell yall @denisiotruitt and I were just trying to share our many many feelings and challenge ourselves to show up differently as creatives than what we are known for (for her, writing more - for me, sharing more of my creativity visually) and we had no idea what we were shaping, i say it with joy. I personally couldnt have planned for something this sweet and tender and stylish and fun and still makes me excited amd wanting to do more years later. I celebrate us often, but yearly we allow yall in on it with our #noirliniansafrobeat anniversary party during #EssenceFestival, but this year, we’re partnering with our friends over at @ascen.dance and #TheHouseOnClaiborne to throw our biggest one yet —— join us Sunday July 7th for the two part event #roamthecosmos 🌚☄️💫🚀💫☄️🌚 link to presale tix/full info in bio 😘 • note: every year presales sell out. This year is on track to do the same. Its a couple more dollars at the door so get em now and dont slide into my DMs, emails, mailbox or send any carrier pidgeons asking for the cheap tix once theyre gone ✌🏿 —>💸🕳 <— dont let this be you https://www.instagram.com/p/BzcBgWZFlGe/?igshid=z5ghybccw6at

[freeqthamighty]

Yayyyy I got home and was able to go listen to @mauriceruffin read from #WeCastAShadow and hear about his thought behind the book 🥰 he even left a sweet note in my copy which I’ll for sure be taking on the next plane . So proud of you Maurice , you’re an inspiration to a lot of writers and your personality is possibly better than your writing 💛 also me and @sirenmouths are so stylish together 🌞 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt2AXAcgvc8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=i1jh9uyuut1e

[freeqthamighty]

“Remembrance” written in honor of #SandraBland and all those we’ve lost to state and other kinds of violence. Today wouldve been her 32nd birthday, full video tribute link in bio or at www.freequencyspeaks.com • song written and sung by the incomprable @mcintyrespirit , filming by @gian_smith and @malcolmjstudios #BlackLivesMatter https://www.instagram.com/p/BtmmBBIAh6N/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14ytn3zxi7158

[freeqthamighty]

A year and a few days ago my TED talk “Black Lives At The Intersection of Birth and Death” came out (after almost not coming out cuz i (rather kindly) told them about themselves in an article and in the talk cuz they asked me to remove #BlackLivesMatter from my talk) • it was definetly an experience ill remember, one that challenged me to remember why i do the work i do the way i do it and the importance of speaking out, even and especially when your voice shakes. Article is on Medium ( www.medium.com/@mwendekatwiwa ) , TED talk at ted.com getting close to 1 million views 😱 • outfit by @ayadesignsglobal , “African bluetooth” / ear cuff by @doviesdivine , make up by @karmencosmetics • #FreeQuency #FreeQuencySpeaks https://www.instagram.com/p/BtegWXPgwol/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dblz819bmt1d

[freeqthamighty]

Tour date #1 wrapped up (and looking quite handsome might i add😉) • i love love love poetry lectures yall. Poets are not poetry jukeboxes. I always appreciate having space to expand on the thoughts and work behind the words. It was especially great to be able to a talk-performance on Borders. I spoke about colonial history and heritage, borders on our bodies and beings, read new and old work in front of a room primarily made of future and current social workers of color...and none of it wouldve been possible without @marilyn_cortez whose follow through game is SO STRONG! I met Marilyn 1.5 years ago at the Liberation Based Healing Conference (which is a dope gathering you should check out) where i was a lunchtime performer. We connected and that day she said “Im gonna get you on my campus before I graduate” and now shes months away from doing so and here i am #FollowThroughGameSoStrong • congrats @marilyn_cortez on your upcoming graduation and I wish you the best in your future necessary work 💛2nd pic: Me and Marilyn • 3rd pic: me and other keynote speakers • 4th pic: me and this fly band Ella 🌞#FreeQuency #FreeQuencySpeaks (at California State University, Northridge) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtZkj4HAXCc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=co184skd4i5t

[freeqthamighty]

The summary is that I'm on this list!

If there's anything the last 1.5 months off has taught me its that life is short and you should just celebrate it and yourself whenever you can. I said to myself at the start of 2018 I would no longer shy from myself, that I would stop shrinking from the space I'm slowly realizing I'm meant to fill, even though it feels too big sometimes (I wrote an article on my medium about it in Jan 2018 and then didn't post it cuz I was shrinking myself lol. it takes time people, let me beee). Soooooo let's try again in 2019. I'll start by sharing that in November 2018 I was named as one of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts 100 honorees alongside people like Tarana Burke, Ibeyi, Blinky Bill, Madeline Albright (lol), Naomi Klein, Janet Mock, Janelle Monae, Chani Nicolas, Noname and others. When I tell you I was shocked and shook, it doesnt quiiiiiiiiiite describe the impostor syndrome I felt. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why I was named to this list cuz honestly it feels like I'm just starting to realize and go after what I'm meant to do buuuttt oh well! That's little ol me on there! I will share that it is coming with some exciting opportunities that I am making a promise to share in real time as they happen! Here's to stepping into yourself and taking up the space that's yours to take

[freeqthamighty]

Writing is not therapy, but it is/can be therapeutic

“Perhaps the act of writing itself was a kind of therapy” -Octavia Butler

I said what I said :) 

[onlinecounsellingcollege]

How to Stop being a People Pleaser

1. Recognize that you have choices. Usually people-pleasers feel as if they don’t have a choice, and they have to say yes when someone asks for their help. But you DO have a choice – and it’s Ok to say no.

2. Decide on your priorities. If you already have commitments or you have set priorities then it’s easy to say no as you’ve a genuine “excuse”. Do what matters most to you, and please remember - it’s your life!

3. Stall for time – don’t give an answer right away. Say you need a bit of time before you make up your mind. That allows you time and space to think about the consequences. For other things will likely suffer if you take on far too much.

4. Don’t be afraid to add conditions to your yeses. For example, say that you’ll only say yes if someone else says yes as well – or only take on a new task for a set period of time.

5. Are you being manipulated? There are plenty who will use you to ensure their plans succeed, so watch out for those compliments and empty flattery.

6. Be firm when you say no. The first time you say no it feels uncomfortable and hard. But once you’ve done that a few times it starts to feel much easier. Also, if you sound confident then others take you seriously.

7. Don’t defend you decision. You have a right to say no – and to NOT defend yourself. It’s your life after all - you don’t have to explain “why” … or come up with excuses … or be pushed and pressurised. And don’t apologise to others - saying no is not a crime!

[textsfromsuperheroes]

The Top Texts of 2018!

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Keep reading

[freeqthamighty]

These will forever entertain me #TextsFromSuperheroes

[freeqthamighty]

When A Story Chases You To Your Laptop

Mid writing an article I probably shouldve written and thrown from the rooftops 3 years ago. I tried to suppress it, but it refused and is coming out whether I want it to or not on paper cuz its been coming out in other ways otherwise. Interestingly enough, the story is about consent and a person who violated it -_- #WhyLordeWhy #SendThisStoryBack

[tentacleteapot]

you’re no Hamburger Helper

you’re just a Hamburger Hindrance

[sidneyia-deactivated20210826]

if you’re not part of the hamburger solution, you’re part of the hamburger problem.

[tentacleteapot]

[freeqthamighty]

I dunno why I found this so hilarious. Probably because Hamburger Helper was a delicacy meal when I was growing up and THE WORDPLAYYYYYYYY ... hamburger hinderance lol

[textsfromsuperheroes]

Texts From Superheroes

[freeqthamighty]

You know, he’s not wrong, but I don’t feel like he quiiiteee told the whole story 

[freeqthamighty]

I wanted more from this talk, but also know what’s its like when they give you 5 minutes -_- Loved the line “[my queerness] was lost in translation and transition”

[freeqthamighty]

Movement, not a moment <3 

[freeqthamighty]

Is Nonmonogamy about Pleasure, Control, or Liberation?

With time, I’ve learned that under the layers of socialization—and jealousy—there’s deeper wiring that says yes to one, or yes to two, or yes to many.

Do this exercise! - Your assignment: At the top of a blank page, write down your ideal structure (monogamy, open marriage, lovers, etc) for sexual connection, love and relationship. Create a map from the bottom of the page to that ideal, showing what skills, conversations and practices are needed to get there.

[freeqthamighty]

The Surprising Story of Eartha Kitt in Istanbul

Eartha Kitt went to Istanbul by accident. The story, as she tells it, goes like this: she was sixteen, all but abandoned, killing time in Spanish Harlem, when a woman stopped her on the street to ask for directions.

“Immigrant nostalgia works in funny ways, unbound by logic and sense“