One of the most personally important pieces I’ve written is called “Monotone”. After relocation from NC to Washington State in July of 2017, watching the events unfold in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Charlottesville, VA unfold was a striking reminder of how bad things still are in the South – not to mention the country as a whole.

In some ways, we all live in wind tunnels: surrounded by the reverberations of our own energies. As a result, some things can be easy to overlook or forget about in the day-to-day. And, sadly, one of the biggest examples of this in the South is the concept of self reflecting on shared white-privilege. Being white is so incredibly easy that living in the vacuum of it is altogether intoxicating and encouraged within the system our economy and culture operates.

Case in point: Trump being elected.

“Monotone” is a piece about my internal attempt to have a conversation with other white people about what they completely miss – to make the conversation tangible and hold myself accountable. It’s my hope, and desire, with this piece to engage people in a conversation about their own place in an issue that takes leaning in on it to make a difference.

The below video was filmed at the release event for “Love, Justice & Truth” by Nakeya Isabell. I’m grateful to have met her through the African American Writers’ Alliance of Seattle, and was deeply humbled when she asked me to share “Monotone” as part of her Project Release, as the album addresses all sides of the cultural, political, and emotional battle between the good and evil of our world. I strongly recommend you download her work (find link offs here:“Love, Justice & Truth”)

Nakeya is one of most emotionally powerful performers of poetry and spoken word I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, let alone calling a friend. Her work is a true reflection of a deep personal truth, and therefore one of the most beautiful things.

Also, video cred goes out to the wonderfully hilarious and talented Tiffany – an incredible local Tacoma artist and community advocate. Follow her on The Gram: t.ffanny – her work is fucking incredible.

Monotone  – video here