In 2018 I was invited to moderate a discussion with Lateefah Simon. Lateefah is a force. A nationally recognized advocate for civil rights and racial justice based in Oakland, CA, Lateefah has been working to support communities of color and low-income communities in the Bay Area for over 20 years. She won the MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Award in 2003 (making her the youngest woman to receive the award), and in 2016, driven by the death of Oscar Grant, she ran and was elected to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors. She is a mother to two amazing daughters, and has openly shared about her journey grieving her late husband, Kevin.
Before the discussion started we chatted a bit. She shared about her life and work with ease and warmth. Knowing that she’d been doing emotionally taxing work her entire life I admired her ability to make me feel welcome while still holding space for herself.
I had to ask: “how do you stay so tender? what’s your secret?”
Lateefah explained that figuring that out became critically important the moment she realized she wanted to live long enough to become an elder . She told me, “you need tenderness to get to that point.” She went on to share that we need to invest in relationships that are kind and patient, recognize the people who want to practice tenderness with us, and invite in those who you respect and respect you. Lateefah’s words remind us that we need tenderness to make it through the work and rhythms of life.
Leo is currently in Venus, and I am feeling it. (Full transparency my chiron is in Leo, astrology people do what you want with that)
Leo in Venus calls for big, bold, love, romance, connection, and affection. You know that glittery kind of summer love. But as we experience the effects of corporate greed, government corruption, and state sanctioned violence, I mean climate catastrophe has literally lit the world on fire, a call to practice tender love can feel frivolous. And yet, lately I still find myself coming back to Lateefah’s words.
So, if you’re feeling this Leo in Venus too, I’m inspired to invite us to think about the big, bold, beautiful romance that is investing in tenderness as sustainable self and community care. I hope you can take some time in the coming weeks to extend yourself, your loved ones, and communities a little tenderness.
Welcome to my second substack.
Here are some things that are helping me figure my shit out.
I’m watching: I’m STILL watching P Valley, the season finale this week had me in my feelings.
I’m (re)reading: Sister Love: The Letters of Audre Lorde and Pat Parker 1974 -1989
I’m loving: Gen Z digital organizing for the ‘People Over Prime’ campaign in support of the Amazon Labor Union
What I’m listening to right now as I write this : DO 4 LOVE, Snoh Aalegra
Thank you for coming to my syllabus discussion at The Robinson School for Public Awareness and Community Engagement (S.P.A.C.E.)! If you missed it you can still read my syllabus along with Leo and Raegann’s over on the Level Ground website.
Also please support Robinson S.P.A.C.E, a community home base and launching pad for abolitionist, anti-white supremacist organizations and movements.
Last weekend, we headed over to Little Secret, to support Hugo Soto-Martinez’s campaign for LA City Council District 13 and Amazon Labor Union President Chris Smalls on his Hot Labor Summer tour.
2022 is the year of the rise of workers’ unions!! Check out the ways to support worker actions during #HotLaborSummer.
Save the date: 9/9 - 9/17
I’m currently working on my first solo, well actually first ever, art show! It opens 9/9 at the LA Artcore in Little Tokyo. Stay tuned for the official RSVP and list of the week’s events. I’m nervous as hell and stepping outside my comfort zone as a designer / political education campaigns work. My little tender heart needs to see you there.
In the meantime, if you’ve got some cash to spare, consider donating a little to me as I pull this work to the finish line. I’ve got a small stipend from Level Ground, but extra cash will help me with things like buying materials I need for installation, food and drinks, and paying a DJ for the closing party.
You can venmo a note of encouragement to me at @Bianca-NozakiNasser
with love, until next time.
your favorite tender queer,
Bianca
“In touch with the erotic, I become less willing to accept powerlessness, or those other supplied states of being which are not native to me, such as resignation, despair, self-effacement, depression, self-denial.”