Marybeth Onyeukwu
In Their Words:
"Why I create? Why I write...Oftentimes, I think we ignore the importance of creative energy in our movement work. I am learning that the more I devote energy to creating, specifically writing. The time I commit to writing the more stable and confident I become when organizing. Writing in a lot of ways becomes a form of self-care. My mental and physical energies are restored and my capacity to do movement work grows. By writing, I am reminded of who I really am, and not the projections or opinions that other people have of me.
I have had some people in organizing space try to convince me I'm way too abrasive in my approach. But when I take time to write, I reminded it is because of my love for family and community that I do the things that I do. I am passionate about seeing lives changed. I am no longer interested in maintaining the status quo, which means I am willing to take major risks. How else can we grow?"
Who: Marybeth Onyeukwu
Where: Washington D.C, by way of Nigeria
Medium(s): Writing
Pieces:
“(Re)Imagining Immigrant Rights: Remembering Mike Brown, Renisha McBride, Eric Garner, Rekia Boyd, John Crawford, Kimani Gray and Countless Others" - August 2014 Article
For too long, the Black struggle has been co-opted to legitimize the immigrant rights movement with little to no reciprocity. Movement leaders have consistently ignored and erased the plight of black migrants. Movement leaders have time and time again failed to offer any kind of support when black communities are under siege. Movement leaders continue to embrace anti-Black rhetoric in order to position themselves as worthy of American citizenship. What is citizenship in a country that dehumanizes its Black citizens? What is “the right to be with our families” in light of the murders of Eric Garner, Renisha McBride, Rekia Boyd, John Crawford, Kimani Gray and many others? Did they not have a right to be with their families?
This goes beyond stopping deportations. We must challenge racist notions of criminality that are being used to justify the militarization of local police in an effort to antagonize and destroy Black life. The same legal apparatus that unjustly detains and deports millions of immigrants and militarizes the U.S. – Mexico border is the same apparatus that profiles, harasses, arrests, incarcerates and murders with impunity Black people in America.
We say enough! No more to the hyper-surveillance of Black communities! No more to state sanctioned violence! No more to anti-Black racism! Enough!
Full article : HERE
Undocumenting: What are some of the challenges of being a writer?
Mel: The biggest challenge as a writer is finding time to just write especially with so much demanding my attention. This may sound harsh, but I do think our culture does not value meaningful relationships enough. Most friendships feel very surface. Oftentimes, it is these relationships that seem to demand so much of my attention, which has serious implications for Black women. As Black women we are taught to make ourselves always available, which ultimately means the problems we have to contend with are placed on the back burner. Well, I refuse to play the mammy role for anyone. I no longer have any patience for relationships that are no reciprocal. I won't do it. That kind of "selflessness" destroys. I want to live. I want to survive. So I am learning to be much more selfish with my time especially with people who do very little to offer support. In order to write more, I have to say no more. And I must be unapologetic about it.
Undocumenting: Favorite 3 books?
Marybeth: By far, my favorite book that inspires my work is Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. Zora was woman that was light years ahead of her time. She really believed that Black people should live their lives without any concern of the white gaze. I think that’s important for everyone to understand. We must be true to ourselves, first and foremost. We are not responsible for how people perceive us. We are only responsible for living our truth. Another book that informs my writing would be Ella Baker & the Black Freedom Movement: A Radical Democratic Vision by Barbara Ransby. Every time I read about Ella’s life I am humbled by her commitment to those that live on the margins of society. She was not willing to leave anyone behind. I think in a lot of ways, my writing, should do be just as courageous. I get really scared sometimes to speak the truth, but then I am reminded of women that went before me, not knowing what the outcome would be, but didn’t know let the unknown deter them for doing what was right. My third favorite book has to be Beloved by Toni Morrison. There are no words really to describe the brilliance of Toni’s work. My favorite quote from Beloved is, “Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” Every day I am learning to claim ownership of my freed self regardless what my immigration status means to government officials. I can and will live freely.
Undocumenting: Tips for artists/writers that are undocumented and coming from movement/organizing spaces
Marybeth: It is ok to take up space. As undocumented people we are socialized to always apologize for bringing attention to ourselves. We are self-deprecating. We think that we do not deserve to be loved or respected. Again, it is ok to take up space. Our voices matter. Our stories matter. We have a right to be here.
Where to Find:
Marybeth is a community organizer at One DC. She is also a board member of Black Alliance for Just Immigration. She is currently working on new writing pieces , so look out for those.
Instagram:
@_zirim
Twitter:
@withlovemb
