That time two Black coworkers kept each other sane
A moment about good music and small victories
Jasper (they/them) of H2C shares a 10-year-old memory with themes so fresh, it could have happened yesterday. Luckily, it ends well.
This story was originally shared on JASPER, a black pansy mag.
These past couple weeks have been ones of revisiting—music, thoughts, books, dreams…
I gave D’Angelo’s Black Messiah a replay. Got lost all over again in the bubbling up of soulful melody he does so well. Like ice-cold sweet tea for weary, weathered senses.
D’Angelo is one of few artists I know who can insight chills with a harmonic whistle. C’mon, a whistle?! I’m refreshed.
I remember the day he returned with music after 14 long years of finding his own peace. I was working for (insert wElL KnOwn PUbliShEr in New York) at the time.
I’d just been tapped to write some hollow article about what white people can do for the Ferguson protestors as the only full-time Black writer on staff.
Cue: Black Messiah.
On repeat. Again and again through earphones at my desk. Drowning out everything else.
Then, just moments after that unsavory request, the only other Black writer on staff (a freelancer and one of the most skilled editors in the place) pinged me via Google Hangouts with three magical words:
“You listen, yet?”
She had no idea I was fixing my fingers to ask her the exact same thing.
“GIRL!”
We took an early lunch to rave about each and every track from top to bottom. How we both got chills in the same spots, how the day flew by quicker somehow because of this music.
It became more than an album for me then. Black Messiah was a collective experience. A coming together for Black people who wanted (nay, needed) a break. (Speaking of, this funny though very real video came out not long after that.)
Yeah. That’s what music can do. I’m moved all over again just remembering.
…
P.s: I never wrote that article. 😂
We love small victories over here.
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