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The sea has an ability to exist as two different entities: 1) the serene, embracing life-giving force; and 2) the powerful, thrashing life-taking force. The weekend, relationships, and hot sauce are also characterized by this same type of figurative mitosis. What happens when we embrace dichotomy instead of fight it? Sunshine and laughter. – Reza Rites

P.S. One answer I share, here, and later this evening is the “Vanity for the Movement” hashtag I’ve been using with the “Dance as Discourse” posts. We are allowed to pursue the bounciest of curls while also reaching for justice for Breonna Taylor. We are allowed to love roots reggae music and the dancehall side too. Claim. It. All. Periodt.

***

The channel calls us
Currents stirring storms inside
The water heals all

“Currents and Channels” / By Reza Rites / April 25, 2017

VIDEO LINK
https://youtu.be/ZY8McFM3cjA
(poem located at 1:30 in the video)

TEXT/BLOG POST LINK
https://3amblackpoetryandart.tumblr.com/post/163990213848/currents-and-channels-by-reza-rites-poem-located

***

#danceasdiscourse
#vanity4themovement
#joyisthemovement
#ambitiousblackfeminist
#rezarites
#3amblack
#carefreeblackgirl
#blackgirlmagic
#blacklivesmatter
#blacktranslivesmatter
#sayhername
#rezadoesreggae
#venussings
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDUJ5uxn9RK/?igshid=1kjv9sj8rwtnj

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What is love in the time of COVID-19? Ask some of my closest friends, and they will tell you I have posed this question over and over since March. In fact, it’s possible I’ve already shared the inquiry here, as the accompaniment to an earlier dance post. But peace isn’t pestilent, and in perusing past poems I was pulled practically presciently toward the piece placed below.

If it speaks to you, do take some time to try and answer or imagine the sound and feel of love; ask yourself if you’re getting enough of it and meditate on ways to get more. Or join me tonight around 9:30 pm to celebrate love through music, dance, and cultural excellence. Sunshine and laughter. -Reza Rites

***

Love hit
And hurt
And created
New lands
And new oceans
That covered
It all

And buried
My heart

Islands
(And volcanoes)
Await

“Love and Loss in a Brooklyn Apartment” / by Reza Rites / June 3, 2017

See Accompanying Doodle/Illustration HERE: https://3amblackpoetryandart.tumblr.com/post/163989387978/love-and-loss-in-a-brooklyn-apartment-by-reza

***

HEADWRAP by akosuascloset.com

***

#danceasdiscourse
#vanity4themovement
#joyisthemovement
#ambitiousblackfeminist
#rezarites
#3amblack
#carefreeblackgirl
#blackgirlmagic
#blacklivesmatter
#blacktranslivesmatter
#sayhername
#rezadoesreggae
#venussings
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDSTCWCnAKF/?igshid=yok1d6qy9n7x

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#iamsaltwater
#rezarites
#3amblack
#ambitiousblackfeminist
#joyisthemovement
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDRm2eGnUR3/?igshid=gl0h7gxntxzv

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A lil poem, a lil dance, but a quick note first: I am super grateful for the families and educators gathering to grapple with what education should look like in a world covered in COVID-19. I am grateful for the young people, Black leaders and formal and informal multicultural coalitions of advocates, activists and the enraged marching, making signs, and scaring our elected officials into actually considering change. And I am grateful for everyone putting their lives on the line daily, knowing that showing up for work could mean encountering an illness affecting many or a militarized police officer, team and institutional representative excited about the excuse to use excessive force just for traffic stops and other NON-CRIMINAL incidents. The struggle is real, but so is the need to take space. That strategy, though – dedicating time to self-care or taking a break – is often contingent on the type of privilege that only some have. Still, I would like to offer this medicine: look up at the sky, from time to time. Thats’s right; look long and dreamily and even consider saying the following types of messages aloud: 1) I see you blue sky and gray undertones; 2) I’m counting you and your buddies cloud-friend, and you are number five; 3) Hello horizon, I respect you but know you are not the end.

My poem below demonstrates a day I took in the sky, similarly, and you can too. Or you can join me at 1:00 pm (EST) to dance Dance DANCE. Sunshine and laughter. – Reza Rites

Purple is one of those colors
Hues
Shades
Swatches

Orange
Pink
Red
Gray
And purple

Always purple

…

Excerpt from “Purple Skies” / By Reza Clifton / 2017

KEEP READING: https://3amblackpoetryandart.tumblr.com/post/159431955028/purple-skies

***

#danceasdiscourse
#vanity4themovement
#joyisthemovement
#ambitiousblackfeminist
#rezarites
#3amblack
#carefreeblackgirl
#blackgirlmagic
#blacklivesmatter
#blacktranslivesmatter
#sayhername
#rezadoesreggae
#venussings
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDO6hYqHKMd/?igshid=106ass755r4vp

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Fire (fiyah) on the dancefloor today at 2:15 PM (EST); sync up if you’re bringing the gas, because the only water allowed is what you see in the background or what you ingest for hydration. Today, like everyday, I (we) dance for the P’s and J’s: peace, plurality, justice, and joy. Sunshine and laughter. – Reza Rites

Can you see
The moon
If your skies
Are on fire
Lit by bombs
Built in Rhode Island
And accelerated
With and by
Hypocrisy
Greed
And hegemony?

Can you seek
The Moonlight
For answers and riddles
Or are you buried
Under a bunker
That doubles
As your self-made
Grave
And family dining
Room?

***

Excerpts from “Taking the Moon” / By Reza Clifton / 2017

KEEP READING: https://3amblackpoetryandart.tumblr.com/post/159508487038/taking-the-moon

***

#danceasdiscourse
#vanity4themovement
#joyisthemovement
#ambitiousblackfeminist
#rezarites
#3amblack
#carefreeblackgirl
#blackgirlmagic
#blacklivesmatter
#blacktranslivesmatter
#sayhername
#rezadoesreggae
#venussings

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A post shared by 3 AM IS THE NEW BLACK (@3amblack)

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So about yesterday…I got busy then hungry then tired. But I’m back, baby; I’m back! And I forgive myself. Wanna sync up and dance at 9 AM (EST)?

***

Self love comes
In many shapes
And sizes.

Trying to remember
To water the shaded parts
Of the garden is key
Sometimes.

Trust me
I know.

Take that
Perennials

“Perennials, Part IV” / By Reza Rites / 2018 / #3AMBLACKPOETRY

***

#danceasdiscourse
#vanity4themovement
#joyisthemovement
#ambitiousblackfeminist
#rezarites
#3amblack
#carefreeblackgirl
#blackgirlmagic
#blacklivesmatter
#blacktranslivesmatter
#sayhername
#rezadoesreggae
#venussings
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDEMa3dnwPr/?igshid=1qe9qv658357r