2025 LAND Mohn grant recipient yĂ©tĂșndĂ© á»lĂĄgbajĂș recently presented their project a lament (los angeles).
Inspired by a guided reading of Octavia Butlerâs Parable of the Sower, led by Dr. Tamisha Tyler and the Center for Restorative Justice, á»lĂĄgbajĂș examined the conceptual differences between lament and grief as vehicles to process current events and the implications of exploitative capitalism.
yĂ©tĂșndĂ© asks: âHow can we build our future in the midst of uncertainty, rage, and systemic and ecological transformation?â
a lament (los angeles) continues their inquiry, building on a previous performance, which took place at 500 Capp Street in San Francisco. The performance and activation was rooted by revolutionary texts, songs, and prayers that will be shared by the artist, collaborators, and invited community leaders.
If you weren't able to attend the performance, or you wish to explore the themes of a lament (los angeles) further, yĂ©tĂșndĂ© shared this reading list for learning and reflection:
- A Darker Wilderness: Black Nature Writing from Soil to Stars edited by Erin Sharkey
- Black Nature: Four Centuries of African American Nature Poetry edited by Camille T. Dungy
- Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice by Jessica Gordon Nembhard
- Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farmâs Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land by Leah Penniman
- Black Utopias: Speculative Life and the Music of Other Worlds by Jayna Brown
- Building Power While the Lights Are Out: Disasters, Mutual Aid, and Dual Power edited by Jimmy Dunson
- Reconsidering Reparations: Why Climate Justice and Constructive Politics Are Needed in the Wake of Slavery and Colonialism by OlĂșfáșčÌmi O. TĂĄĂwĂČ
- Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership by Brea Baker
- Working The Roots: Over 400 Years of Traditional African American Healing by Michele E. Lee
- The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer