Brooklyn Here We Come

On Day One I never thought that I would have such mixed feelings about leaving the DRC. I am headed home soon. I'm ready to get back to my Bikram yoga class, but I feel like my work is unfinished. Many things were accomplished while here for this residency, but it feels like it is just the beginning. It is a the first step in the next phase of my work.

Lots of people seem to be interested in the dialogue about violence against women. It was the theme of the material we created in the creative sessions. I was so proud of the guys involved with the project. They showed such great respect for the women as we all worked together. Lexxus Legal, the coordinator, (www.lexxuslegal.com)--spoke eloquently to the artists as he reminded them about the purpose of our getting together. There was even a "tense moment" in the rehearsal with the female artists as we figured out the arrangement for "Je Suis Une Femme Invisible'"(I am an Invisible Woman). Neither of the translators were in the room at the time so I didn't speak on it, but Lexxus handled it so well. Yesterday we had two video shoots. One of the songs called "One Voice" was for the ensemble song of men and women. We were in a hot production studio with two fans, bright lights, camera crew and lookers on. We each wore coordinated Congolese style dresses made for the shoot so I wanted to take a few photos. We talked and laughed like ladies sometimes do. One of the security guards seemed irritated by the good vibes of happiness and said something in lingala to one of the girls. They spoke back to him and as we walked away he tells one of them 'that's why I'll rape you and your loud mouth'. It was ironic because we were in the building to shoot a video to take a stand against violence and sexual violence. He said it so lightly as if rape were something to be joked about.

The second shoot took place in an area called Bandal. I squeezed into a car with the crew and everyone else piled into a local taxi (van with rows of benches). Bandal is known to produce some of the countries greatest artists and musicians. It's a lively place. One can feel the energy in the air. We only had an hour or so left of sunlight so the shoot went by pretty fast, but it was a surreal moment for me. I've had a love affair with Africa since I was two years old and to have so many memorable experiences in one year has been such a gift. My mother is even fascinated by the way my life is unfolding.

"Invisible Woman" is a poem I wrote in 1996 and is finally in song form. It is a moving interpretation of the piece and I am honored to see my work evolving. The US Department of State sponsored this project and the US Embassy here in Kinshasa spearheaded it. Lexxus and his team served as the local artist liasons on the ground. It's no secret that America has an image problem, but I think the government also has a problem with marketing. I've been involved with some pretty dynamic programs, projects that have changed lives, but no one hears about them or knows about them. I am committed to seeing this project through. It's tied to the work I started with my fellowship at the Soros Foundation with my project "I RHYME LIKE A GIRL". It's also tied to Freestyle Union and my entire career. My mission? To use music and poetry, to use hip-hop as a tool for social change---to uplife the human spirit, to inspire peace and to make the world a better place.

This trip has been multi-layered. I've made discoveries about myself and my relationships. I have learned so much more about Africa. I've also discovered what my basic needs are in an artistic collaboration and how to best articulate those needs. I took great care of my health this trip and was really disciplined. I met two new 'friends for life' and I also met someone who inspired me to shift my paradigm, to think differently about my goals and my future. Life is good. I am blessed. Like they say, Kinshasa can be difficult to manuever, but every struggle was worth it.

I'm feeling like I will end up living in Africa. I'm not sure exactly where, but I think maybe I am a dual-city person---6 months here, 6 months there...mmmm? We shall see what divine order holds.