How to make life better today
Virtual gospel fundraiser to reopen Impression Dance Theatre
Caribbean Life, AUGUST 20-26, 2021 43
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
Like almost everybody in
the world, you have scars.
There’s the one you got when
you were five years old, and you
fell off the slide at school. The
one you got when you dropped
a glass and accidentally cut
yourself. You have scars from
fun, children, hobbies, work,
and from you-can’t-rememberwhere.
Those are the scars you
wear on your outside. So how
about a couple books that deal
with your scars inside…?
You are beautiful. Everyone
knows it, but there’s so much
more to you than what can be
seen. In “Nobody Knows the
Trouble I’ve Seen: The Emotional
Lives of Black Women”
by Inger Burnett-Zeigler, PhD,
you’ll learn how detrimental it
can be to ignore your feelings,
whether now or the ones from
the past.
So much has been said about
the strength of Black women,
and while there’s no denying
that Black women are steelystrong,
Burnett-Zeigler points
out that much of that strength
and power is tied to violence,
racism, sexism, poverty, and
trauma, whether personal,
societal, or historical. These
matters can lead to Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD),
depression, and other mental
health issues, but those things
aren’t often explored or discussed
in deeper terms. The
danger is that ignoring them
or tamping them down can
lead to physical disorders and
disease over the long-term,
an overall problem that’s gone
unaddressed for too long.
In bringing this subject to
the forefront, and by sharing
relevant stories of women
who’ve recognized past issues
and have dealt with them, Burnett
Zeigler helps readers to
understand what must be done
and why it can’t wait. Specifically,
she offers permission and
encouragement for readers
who wish to seek professional
help by removing perceived
shame in it, and she advocates
embracing self-care and the
allowance of vulnerability.
This is a wonderful book,
it’s relatable, and it’s easy to
enjoy, even for the busiest of
readers who need to learn to
slow down and look out for
themselves.
Of course, these are attitudes
and practices you want
to pass on to the next generation,
perhaps starting with
discussion and “Wake: The
Hidden History of Women-Led
Slave Revolts” by Rebecca Hall,
illustrated by Hugo Martinez.
Part memoir, part history, this
book tells of Hall’s search to
correct a long-held mythology
that’s lingered throughout
history.
Most stories about slavery
would have you believe that
men were the catalysts for
revolt but Hall, the granddaughter
of slaves, learned otherwise.
Through documents,
letters, and even physical evidence
from graves, she learned
that Black women were also
fierce leaders of many uprisings
throughout history and
that women who make good
trouble are just as active today
as they were two hundred
years ago. For a 12-to-16-yearold,
this is a great conversation
starter about the past,
the present, and their future
mental health.
If these books don’t quite
fit what you’re looking for, or
if you need more on these
subjects, be sure to ask your
favorite bookseller or librarian.
They’ll know what you need
and they’ll help you find it with
a minimum of pain.
“Nobody Knows the
Trouble I’ve Seen: The
Emotional Lives of Black
Women” by Inger Burnett-
Zeigler, PhD
c.2021, Amistad
$24.99 / $31.00 Canada
257 pages
“Wake: The Hidden History
of Women-Led Slave
Revolts” by Rebecca Hall,
illustrated by Hugo Martinez
c.2021, Simon & Schuster
$29.99 / $39.99 Canada
208 pages
Book covers of “WAKE” and “Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen.” Photo by Terri
Schlichenmeyer
By Tangerine Clarke
Artistic Director and Founder
of Impressions Dance Theatre,
Verna Walcott-White, will
present “Revival – Determined
to Soar,” a virtual Gospel fundraiser,
towards the reopening of
the school.
The show is set for Sunday,
Aug. 29, from 6 pm – 8 pm.
The two-hour program will
be featuring exceptional performances
by singers, instrumentalists,
poets, and dancers,
and will be hosted via a Zoom
link, provided two days before
the event.
A donation of $15.00
made payable via Zelle —
v impre s s ions@aol .com,
CashApp-347-432-2856, Pay-
Pal, xastaphan2006@gmail.
com, and Venmo – @xyomara-
Astaphan, will bring the organization
financial relief.
White, who is proud of the
incredible work students have
put into achieving greatness
that won them awards, citations
from elected officials, and
standing ovations at recitals,
is depending on the support of
dance lovers to play their part
in enabling Impressions Dance
Theatre to re-open its studio,
after the harsh coronavirus
pandemic.
Benefactors who have
enjoyed stirring performances
in various genres of dance over
the years, will once again get a
taste of the magnificent body of
work students have showcased
to sold-out audiences.
In addition to choreography,
and other performances,
the group has partner with the
Health & Education Relief for
Cancer (H.E.R.O.C.) that has
donated a Food Hamper, as the
first prize for the fundraising
raffle drawing.
M&P Investments, donated
the second prize of a Bluetooth
Speaker while a Guyanese Girls
Rock Foundation gift pack, plus
Amazon Gift Card, will go to
the third prize winner. St. Catherine
of Sennia Liturgical Dane
Group donated the fourth prize
of a Wireless Charger Tablet
Lamp.
The cost is $5.00 per book of
three tickets, and could be purchased
via Zelle to 631-834-5192
— Melisha Patterson-Collins.
Patrons are asked to leave contact
information, in order for
ticket numbers to be recorded.
White said, she would like to
thank everyone for supporting
the dance school over the years,
noting that the fundraising will
help her to continue serving
the community and having a
safe heaven for our youths, and
carry on the mission of educating
students through dance
programs
“We have to do fundraisers,
so we are asking for your assistance
by attending the Virtual
gospel evening entertainment,”
she added.
Members of the Impressions Dance Theatre.
Impressions Dance Theatre.
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