06/04/2023
HOW TO CLAP 101 – Part 1: I learned how to clap from two mentoring black men in my life. You might think clapping is not very important or does not have a much deeper meaning, but I would beg to differ. Coach Woods taught me how to clap at Virgil Junior High when I joined the basketball team in 7th grade. Clapping was to be loud, firm, in unison and intentful. We started practice with it till our hands were tingly, we used it during scrimmages for encouragement and we ended practice with it so that the ring of our efforts followed us into the next day. Many moons later, I played capoeira with for Congaceiro, an amazing athlete, dancer, fighter and human being. There, in the Roda (the circle of capoeiristas surrounding two people playing capoeira “against'' one another) we all had the responsibility to clap. In clapping, we kept in rhythm with the music, we brought life to the two people sparring/playing, we did it in unison, as a micro-community and importantly, we clapped near our hearts and faces in the event a wild kick might come your way so you’d be ready to keep yourself and others safe in the roda and to always be Participating. Last night I saw and there too, we clapped – hands in the air, arms tired and we were urged by the band to keep doing it, together, in unison, holding up the moment, collectively connecting with one another, the music … the community as it were. I thought of Coach Woods and Congaceiro, two beautiful, strong, radiant and strong black leaders in my life, who had a hand in forging who I am today and who cradled me in their understanding of community. Not only am I grateful to them, I am actively clapping in my life to ensure that my tingly hands are busy doing the work of love, of community, of engagement, of dancing, of fighting, of scrimagging where I can be of most help.
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