Do you ever think about political alignment in relation to emotional and spiritual health? After this New Moon in Taurus, which fell on Malcom X Day (the birthday of El Hajj Malik el Shabazz), I was reminded of how inextricably linked they are. As systems of care under late-stage capitalism continue to leave us isolated and neglected (see: emotional malnourishment), it becomes clearer and clearer that the way we operate in response to governmental corruption directly affects how we connect with one another and ourselves.
Between hearing elder Charles Simmons discuss the importance of love and strong relationships in the realm of organizing and my friend re-counting her recent experience in Cuba, a socialist country, I felt a renewed sense of hope. There was a shift in my perspective about what is possible and what is most important. I’m still sorting through my thoughts and feelings, what it all means for me personally. But for this new moon to have taken place in my 11th house, which is associated with friendship and community, to spend that time fellowshipping with my best friend and fellow comrades was extremely important for me.
It was a necessary reprieve from the isolation and disappointment I had been weighed down by and it only came about because a group of people shared a political goal. It can’t be ignored that many of us are neglected because the people around us are not only forced to operate under late-stage capitalism and the conditions it creates, but also because they have accepted ideologies that reject our responsibility to one another. It’s not a individual issue, it’s a cultural, sociopolitical one.
I think of how much Malcolm did in his short lifetime and how much of the work he did relied on other people caring about him. Vigilantly looking out for him. Helping him. Supporting him and his family. Malcolm X would not be who he was without the intervention of several different people at various times in his life, which is something another speaker at the event, Kwasi Akwamu brought up as well. He would not be who he was without his wife, Dr. Betty Shabazz, a legend in her own right.
And without Islam, his spiritual safe-haven, many of these relationships would not have been forged. His political education and dedication to the movement was originally bolstered by his spiritual rebirth. There couldn’t be one without the other.
This week, I leave you with one question to reflect on: How do your political alignments serve you spiritually and emotionally?
I would love to hear from you in the comments and maybe talk more about it in a thread on the Substack app. Some of ya’ll engage with me there and I think this topic could be discussed more thoroughly and deeply between those of us who use it.
If this piece spoke to you in any way, I ask that you make a donation to the General Baker Institute, one of the institutions who does amazing work in my community and was instrumental in organizing this event in honor of El Hajj Malik el Shabazz. Donate by clicking this link: https://revolutionaryblackworkers.org/
As an exvangelical, it's so rare that my politics and my "religion" were not insidiously intertwined. I feel like now, trying to keep a healthy balance emotionally and separation btwn "church and state" so to speak is my goal. But also how my spiritual abilities can support and help all communities and ppl of diff backgrounds.