India Arie

Shout out to India Arie—songwriter, musician, and musical artist extraordinaire.

At the onset of your career, you were forcefully categorized and handed a glass ceiling on the basis of the intersectionality of your race and gender. Limitations were placed on your artistic abilities, but your esoteric talent broke through those glass ceilings in route to winning four Grammy Awards.  

“No one has the power to hurt you like your kin.” –Get it Together

Before the age of 13, you were sexually abused by numerous people on numerous occasions. Nevertheless, you used your gift as grist for the mill to paint the pain of your ubiquitous undercurrent of melancholy. This cathartic process manifested on your journey to winning four NAACP Image Awards.

“…as time moved on, that ugly duckling grew up to be a Swan.” –Get it Together

Due to the cultural questioning of self-worth in the Black community called colorism, you were accused of not loving yourself. This accusation, however, was patently untrue. Your future was written in the stars. No longer broken, you are self-defined …as am I!

“I am not the things my family did.” –I am Light

Instead, I am personally redeemed by the anguish and pain portrayed in your music that ministers to me and so many others. I know my angels have brought your energy to heal my soul, and it’s been a beautiful surprise. Thank you for resiliently persevering through your enduring trauma. Utilizing your passion and purpose, your music has brought calm to my storm.

#BlackHistoryMonth™ #BHM

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