I realized last week that I missed the one year anniversary of my newsletter. Technically I started writing in February 2023, but I started small and safe. I wanted to get practice getting my voice out in the world. I decided to write a weekly short piece about writing or archival research or something history related or highlighting someone else’s work. I think that last type is my favorite.
Sharing information is one of my callings in life and uplifting someone else work at the same time makes it all just that much better. Highlighting the work of Akasha Hull, Gloria Anzaldúa, Joshunda Sanders and Intisar Abioto brings me great joy!
Helping people figure out how to use archives and find materials that are useful is the other part of the sharing information calling. I did a series on how to do archival research - my hope is that these posts can be flagged for future use or prompt a question that I can help answer.
I think walking folks through an archival research question is another way to learn how to think about archives. (Here, here and here)
For me anniversaries are about taking time to look back over the last year, taking time to reflect and note what still resonates. In the piece I wrote about my Why, this section still rings true.
So many people, especially when we are young, believe we are the first ones to ever think about certain issues, the first ones to fight for justice. Since it is new for us, it must be new for everyone. But archives can tell a different story. They can tell us that there were people before us that did the work we are trying to do now. That we don’t have to start from zero. Maybe that work was reversed in subsequent years or didn’t move as fast as we had hoped, but I find great comfort in knowing that I am part of a continuum. That work I do towards justice, liberation and healing is part of a bigger story that started well before I was born and will hopefully continue after I am gone.
The idea and phrase that continues to flow through my mind is that “I am not for everyone.” I didn’t realize how much power that phrase had until I found that rejections and other disappointments regarding writing and finding my way in the author/publishing world roll off me much more easily. It is not that rejection doesn’t hurt or that critiques don’t sting, but I can take in what is useful and let go of the parts that dissuade me from my path. The way I tell a story is not for everyone. What I choose to focus on is not everyone’s cup of tea. I am not trying to be universal. I am trying to find my path and stay true to it and hopefully I will find friends and supporters along the way.
Mostly, I am grateful to you, the readers of this newsletter. Thank you for being on this journey with me. I was utterly shocked the first time someone subscribed without a prompt from me. And I find I am still delighted when I get an email that says someone has subscribed.
Of course we use our own images. First year anniversary - now, keep up this transfer of knowledge.
Happy anniversary, Mary! You are making a difference.