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Crabber Tia Clark Questions the Meaning of Fishing, Crab Fishing, and Hunting as a Black Woman — Andscape

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6 months ago

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When I first met Tia Clark, she told me she had recently been spearfishing an alligator in the swamps of South Carolina. I saw the Gullah Geechee woman as a role model, a black woman using her passion and physical prowess to attain the goal I used to be pursuing— food sovereignty.For Clark, the owner Accidental crabbing with Tiait’s like a call from the sea. “I don’t feel like I’m choosing it. I feel like it’s what I have to do,” she told Andscape.

Seven years ago, Clark wasn’t fishing, crabbing or hunting. She worked in the food industry and had health problems brought on by inactivity, stress and late nights. “If you had asked me back then if I would kill an alligator, I would have said, ‘You better not come near me if there’s no alligator,’” she said. But after returning to the water, where her family found food and purpose, Clark saw her health improve dramatically. She was happier and stronger, she lost weight, now not had prediabetes and felt spiritually at peace. “Before, I was cut off from my culture and my family, from everything. I was wasting my days and never taking care of myself,” she said.

Clark now teaches people learn how to fish and crab since it’s fun and essential to understanding Gullah Geechee culture and sustainability. The sea is in the blood of the Gullah Geechee people; it’s sacred and has been a major part of their eating regimen since their ancestors were taken from Africa and enslaved here. Due to gentrification and restrictions, the lack of access to fishing and crabbing grounds has affected the eating regimen of the Gullah Geechee people in South Carolina, so it’s vital to remind them to take their place in the seas. It also helps — through the saltwater fishing licenses Clark requires of participants — to take care of the Charleston shoreline ecosystem through her partnership with the city of Charleston.

Clark reminds people who being here may help them connect with their ancestors and community. Hunting, crabbing and fishing may help people come home to themselves, as it did for Clark. “My first memory is hand-feeding crabs and shrimp in the dirt in my grandmother’s garden,” Clark said. “If I close my eyes, I can tell where the table was and I can tell what the sea tasted like on those crabs. All of that was already in me. And now being able to go crabbing brought it all back.”

This is what sets sports like hunting and fishing aside from others, and what makes the exclusion of black people, especially black women, from these sports all the more insidious. Feeding ourselves is a form of self-preservation. If we leave hunting and fishing to others, we leave ourselves and our communities vulnerable. “The Atlantic Ocean is a mass graveyard,” Clark said. “That’s why we as black people need to reconnect with the water because if we don’t feel those emotions ourselves, it’s easier to ignore them.”

There is a misconception that blacks are usually not desirous about outdoor sports or activities such as swimming, hunting and fishing. In South Carolina, where fishing was a path to freedom, a forced occupation and an ancestral right limited by slave restrictions, people have complicated feelings. Slaves built the maritime and fishing industries, wearing special badges that showed they’d “permission” to be at sea or they might be killed, imprisoned or sold. But additionally they called — and still call — the water home.

“There are all these stereotypes that say black people don’t swim, don’t fish, don’t hunt. That keeps us away from those places. And when we are in those places, people look at us suspiciously because they’ve been told we don’t belong here,” Clark said, adding that she is commonly missed, with passersby assuming that white dock employees are more knowledgeable about their business than she is.

Is this the kind of environment that Black people even wish to be in? Or will we, like Clark, wish to construct our own places away from the values ​​that emphasize resource extraction—expensive hunting resorts, the killing of wildlife, and illegal and even illegal hunting safaris? These are usually not just places where Black people are usually not welcome, but places that folks like Clark actively reject.

“We need to get a mass influx of black people back into the water,” Clark said. “We feel confident here, but we need to lower our guard a little bit because the sea is powerful, if you can get in there and connect and block everything. I know it’s not easy for everyone, so I’m trying to take their phones, all the things that connect them to the outside world, and pull them into that world.”

For blacks, hunting and fishing are greater than just sports; they are frequently not sports in any respect, not in the way others perceive them. They are a way of communing with ancestors, a form of community and individual self-defense, and a sacred responsibility. Clark is one of many mentors (including Chief Kimberly Tilsen-Brave Heart, Renville’s Chanceand Amethyst Ganaway) that taught me to respect the life I actually have taken and to make use of it in a way that honors all of us and brings us closer to a sustainable future.

Hunting can grow to be a technique to bring a community together. After catching an alligator, Clark called her friends over to fry it in buttermilk and spices, then drizzled it with hot sauce. She gave sausage and alligator meat to those in the community who could use it, and she made a big pot of alligator, shrimp, and okra gumbo for her family and friends. In this manner, hunting and fishing became greater than solitary sports, but cultural legacies passed down through generations of families, elders, and friends.

Clark was one of the mentors who helped me prepare for my first duck hunt, during which I cried like a baby. Instead of specializing in teaching me to see it as a competition, Clark told me to acknowledge the sacred. “I’m telling you right now, your whole body is going to shake.” She told me the story of her alligator hunt. “The boat was a long way from the alligator, and the closer we got, the more the alligator doubled and doubled. I stabbed it with the harpoon and fired a .45, and when I touched my chest, my whole body went into convulsions and I was in a primal state. I couldn’t stop.”

Tia Clark with the alligator she hunted.

Aunt Clark

I felt breathless listening to Clark, pondering the seriousness of the journey I used to be about to embark on. It wasn’t just a sport. It was a duty and a responsibility. We had learned to view food as something frivolous, something that got here in plastic and paper. But something you possibly can catch. Fear and sadness were natural. Trophy hunting wasn’t.

Clark sees part of her mission in educating black youth and black women. “That’s where I put all my extra energy because they’re going to take it into the future. That’s their legacy. And if we don’t teach them, they’re going to be in robot mode, going to the grocery store, buying fake food, eating fake food, feeding their family that.”

For us, it’s greater than just a sport. It’s healing. It’s stewardship. It’s community. Black people have at all times belonged to the sea, and black women fishermen like Clark are helping us reclaim our space here, a place that’s home. As an African American and Caribbean woman, a descendant of slaves and migrants, I consider that the swirling center of the Atlantic Ocean is my home, my origins, my birthplace. And Clark echoed those feelings. “I felt so strange… The hairs on my arm would start to stand up as I approached the sea, especially near where my family would crab and fish,” she said.

“I asked my advisor, ‘What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with me?’ And then this black man told me it was an ancestral connection. Something we don’t know about that causes us to react when we get near that water,” Clark said. It’s a response she’s seen in others when she shows people learn how to crab. “People are afraid to get in the water. They don’t want to feel the feelings it can bring up. They don’t want to revisit that trauma.” But it’s not only trauma, it’s our history. The sea holds great pain, but in addition great love. Here, in these waters, with Clark as a mentor, black people are usually not just playing sports. They can connect with our ancestors, honor our past, and move toward the horizon of our food future.

Nylah Iqbal Muhammad is a James Beard Award-nominated author whose work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Vogue, and New York Magazine. Her work explores culture, politics, food, and their intersections, with a deal with North American indigenous, African diaspora, and South Asian foodways.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit

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2 months ago

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December 9, 2024

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Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.

Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”

She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.

Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.

Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez shows off a “winter white” look, weeks after critics slammed her busty latex outfit. (Photos: @laurenwsanchez/Instagram, Theimagedirect.com via Page Six)

On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”

One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.

Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.

When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.

Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”

Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”

Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.

Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.

Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape

Published

2 months ago

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December 9, 2024

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India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.

“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”

Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.

Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.

Singer India Shawn grew up singing in church with her family. “I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” she said.

India Shawn

Name:
India Shawn

Hometown:

Los Angeles

Artistic soundscape

Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric

The oldest musical memory

Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.

Influences

For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.

Creative process

Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”

Challenges and development

As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”

Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.

Current project

“There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”

Sheila Matthews is a digital producer at Andscape and a proud HBCU graduate. She believes “Return of the Mack” must have won a Grammy, and her Twitter mentions are open to all debate.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence

Published

2 months ago

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December 9, 2024

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With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.

Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.

From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.

In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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