The Reclamation Twenties

Around Juneteenth I like to reflect and research. Every year I learn more about history and it reminds me that there is so much I don’t know and was never taught. If the 1920s were ‘roaring’ (for some), I believe the 2020s are for reclamation. Sovereignty of self. I know the 2020s are not quite over yet, but we’re more than halfway through the decade and I have good enough pattern recognition to see how things have been going. Not great. There’s been a lot of chaos, uncertainty, and unexpected events that have caused more distraction than motivation. There has also been great change and more awareness of where our attention and energy is going. After seeing time and time again how progress and joy sparks institutional backlash and a desire to go back in time, I believe it’s time to tap into that shadow side and take back what belongs to you.

But to do this, you must understand who you are, what is yours and what is not.

Reclaim your energy.

Do not allow others to feed off of you energetically through conflict, insults and/or projecting their insecurities onto you. Give them nothing. Remove yourself from spaces that do not honor nor respect you. Walk away from anyone or anything that tries to manipulate you or feels entitled to your energy. Return all that isn’t yours to sender.

Reclaim your money.

Don’t invest or spend where you are not respected. Take your dollar to those who mirror your values. Direct it towards what makes you happy, not the version of happiness society tries to sell you. Boycotts and blackouts are effective. Do what makes sense for you.

In the words of Congresswoman Maxine Waters, reclaim your time.

Don’t let people waste it. Spend it wisely and with like minded people. Understand your rhythm and move at your natural pace. Take back control from anyone playing with what you can’t get back.

I don’t believe Black Americans’ unspoken collective reaction to ongoing events is a coincidence. When your energy, time, money, etc have been abused and disrespected over and over - something must change. The pattern must be disrupted. Sometimes this happens on a spiritual level. When presence is disrespected, it must be rewarded with absence.

Throughout history, when Black people have demanded/achieved freedom, progress and change it has resulted in immediate fear, panic, violence and suppression. Resulting in more rights and lives taken. Opportunities limited. Purposeful cruelty and harm. Let’s look at the 20s from the last few centuries:

In the 1820s, Denmark Vesey’s alleged plans for a revolt led to lynchings, surveillence and stricter laws restricting the movement of even free Black people. The Negro Seaman Act was passed in 1822, which required all free Black seamen to be imprisoned while their ships were docked in Charleston, SC so they didn’t influence the enslaved. If their bond to be released was not paid for by the captains, they too, were enslaved. (see Henry Elkison)

In the 1920s, the cultural and financial boom of Black Wall Street and the Harlem Renaissance was followed by targeted violence and the destruction of Black businesses and homes along with the Depression when many of the Black economic gains were lost. (see Ocoee Massacre, Tulsa Race Massacre, Rosewood Massacre)

Here and now in the 2020s, we’ve seen Black Lives Matter performative care and progress as a response to police murders in 4K and civil unrest; while witnessing the masks dropping quickly once the performance was no longer socially required. This ultimately led to the dismantling of DEI and voting protections along with a rise in racial violence and blatant racist rhetoric. (I don’t need links for this one, just go on social media or look at any recent headline)

This is a pattern. A very toxic one.

How does it end?? When will it end?? Well, when we say it does.

Take all yo shit back and choose the joy that offends those who have none. Turn your energy, money and care inward and to your local communities.

P.S. In alignment with a focus on the 20s and the holiday, I’m giving away 10 copies of my 2020 Visions Tarot (Major Arcana) deck - you’ll only be paying shipping costs. I purposely highlighted Juneteenth in this deck so every year I have a visual that references the summer of 2020 when VA and New York declared their own state holidays, which eventually led to more attention and Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday in 2021. For me, the 2020s also represent a reclamation of Juneteenth and what it means to Black Americans. 2020 Visions Tarot is one of my boldest artistic statements and I want to offer it to those seeking black-owned decks/divination tools. The discount code to enter @ checkout is: 6191865 and the deck can be found HERE on kaleidadope.com. The code will be active until it’s used 10 times.

Happy Juneteenth!