Minimalism for Black Liberation
Minimalism for Black Liberation is a series that explores the ways in which minimalism can be adapted in the struggle for black liberation.
The injustices committed against black people over the past several years have brought a renewed focus to the struggle for black liberation. Even after progress has been made in education, politics, financial security, and other areas, it's still rare to go a day without hearing about some racist BS whether it be through the personal stories of friends and family or via the media at large.
I've struggled to find a way to make sense of it all, sometimes it feels surreal to me that in 2015, with all the advancements the human race has made, racism is still alive and kicking. That's the thing about racism though, it's insidious. It doesn't matter how good a person you are, how much you've accomplished, whether you're law abiding, or you're a human being whose life deserves respect regardless, you're judged and acted upon based on perceived notions and hatred because of the color of your skin.
History has shown oppression and racism are here to stay for the time being, so what do we do? How can we rise above it and keep pressing forward? How can I affect the struggle for black liberation in a way that feels authentic? My answer to those questions is minimalism. It's a lifestyle I've adapted that has significantly changed my life and how I view the world, and I believe it's a possible solution for advancing our freedom as individuals and communities.
Black liberation is an ideology that supports the mental, emotional, socio-economic, socio-political, spiritual, and physical liberation of black people.
Black liberation encourages the resilience, creativity, intelligence, and strength of black people to create opportunities and solutions for our progress.
It seeks to neutralize the effects of racism as demonstrated through colonialism and neocolonialism, slavery, terrorism and genocide, capitalism, classism, sexism, authoritarianism, disenfranchisement, and other forms of oppression. It is not our responsibility to eradicate racism, but we will continue to expose it in all its forms.
Black liberation will only be achieved by us, when we accept the responsibility of freeing ourselves.
Black liberation like peace or happiness, is not a destination to be arrived at, but a lifelong journey. The struggle will continue as long as we exist.
The main purpose of this project is to introduce minimalism as a possible option for the achievement of black liberation. Minimalism works because it is a lifestyle and mindset change. We can not keep doing the same things and expect radical change to occur.
Minimalism is also viable because it encourages self-sufficiency, efficient and responsible use of resources, healthy living, and anti- consumerism and materialism. Minimalism encourages a break from societal and systemic norms.It works for individuals, families, and can work for our communities.
Minimalism is not a new concept or practice, although it has become more popular and trendy in the past several years.It can be summed up as living simply, be and doing more with less. Many peoples, including blacks, have lived this way throughout time and only recently, in the past 200 years or so, has that changed. It’s a part of our collective consciousness and we need to revisit and adapt minimalism to our current situation.
This series is going to explore the ways in which blacks can use minimalism as a tool to support our freedom and will serve as an overview. We will briefly examine the following: principles of black liberation and minimalism and how they intersect and compliment one another, historical and current black liberation groups to see what lessons can be learned and incorporated, and the current state of black America including economic, educational, political, and social measures and how minimalism can affect change in these areas.
Freedom ain’t free. What are you willing to give up to be free?
Black Minimalists: India Jackson
Black Minimalists is an interview series which features people of color on their simple living journeys.
When and why did you start your minimalist journey?
In 2013, at the age of 26, my eight year relationship and engagement came to an end. As the saying goes, "everything happens for a reason". I was blessed to have that negative experience spark a mental, physical, and spiritual detox of nearly everything in my life.
During that period I downsized my possessions, friends, makeup collection, and more. I noticed I had more free time by having less junk, toxic friends, and stress cluttering up my thoughts and space. I found new ways to fill my time including joining a gym, working more to pay off debt from college, and making new (also strengthening old) positive friendships.
Fast forward a couple years and I found myself enjoying being newly wed to a wonderful husband in the Virginia Beach area. Away from the hustle and bustle of Washington, D.C.'s city life, I began wondering how could I take things a step further in my journey.
I wanted to prepare healthier meals without as much time in the kitchen and also streamline our housework so that we could spend more time making great memories. We were also working towards living a debt-free lifestyle via living simply and spending less so we could pay things off faster.
My curiosity and "simple living" blog search lead me to YouTube and then to discover the Minimalist Lifestyle movement. I also discovered the Zero Waste and Tiny House movements around that time in addition to associated bloggers, TV shows, and books. I haven't looked back since!
What lessons have you learned since going minimalist?
Nothing is as good as living debt-free feels. The day my husband and I paid off all our debt, we felt like a major weight was lifted off our shoulders. Bye bye stress and hello saving for rainy days!
I buy an abundance of things that I think I need or intend to use but just don't. I learned just how much money we waste in specific areas on things we never actually use.
For my husband, this includes cheaper yet less effective Magic The Gathering Cards, extra work uniforms, junk/processed food, eating out, fitness gear, supplements, and trendy wardrobe pieces. He quickly learned via the MinsGame that quality is better than quantity and has since been purchasing a small quantity of high-end products and game cards instead.
For me, this included cheap kitchen tools, and other cheap stuff in general that I would have to keep replacing, also low quality yet sometimes high cost clothes and shoes.
Lastly, we realized we must do the "one in one out" rule as it truly works. If something new is purchased I get rid of the old item it replaced via donation or recycling. Why keep outdated technology or wardrobe to collect dust when you've already upgraded to the new? I now keep a donation bag in the closet so unwanted items no longer linger around. My keeping of these items only means someone else won't get to enjoy them so out they go!
What are you goals in living simply?
Living life to the fullest. Be consistent... it's easy to fall back into old patterns and once you do it can take a while to get back to where you were. Be less stressed and irritable. Less negative emotions. More positivity. More moving forward. More bettering myself and others around me. Less consumerism. Less being concerned with the system and society. Making more of my own opinions and path in life. These goals will keep me on track and encourage a healthier life all around.
Has minimalism impacted other areas of your life?
YES! I am currently living debt free after having over $23,000 in debt just one year ago. I am also mostly stress free because with reduced expenses I can now completely freelance and take only the jobs that excite me or will further my career vs. just taking whatever will pay the bills but will drive me crazy lol!
Despite making less money a year than the past, I have traveled more in one year of being minimalist that I did in over three years of running the rat race. Having low expenses means most of the money I make is extra money to invest, travel, donate, etc.
I'm happier and am in the best health of my life!
What if any surprises or challenges have you encountered?
My husband lost 20 pounds since I simplified our kitchen tools and groceries which was a pleasant surprise. Especially because he still eats the processed food on his Navy ship for one meal a day half the week.
Another major surprise was the volume of gifts I had that I didn't use or like. Allowing them to take up mental and physical space out of obligation to keep them created a less organized closet and home. Just getting rid of those kind of items alone reduced our cleanup time dramatically. Getting less gifts that I won't use is still a challenge and dance of being grateful while not allowing clutter to build up again. I still haven't figured a graceful way around this.
What mindset changes have you experienced?
I totally changed the way I see food and shopping. I, like most people, believed that shopping at places like whole foods and eating a plant based diet would be way too expensive and boring. I even subscribed to the local newspaper so that I could coupon packaged food thinking this was the only way to save. Boy was I wrong! I don't get sick anymore due to minimalist diet.
Shopping the bulk bins at Whole Foods in an attempt to be more zero-waste means we are eating a plant based diet with nearly no processed foods. While we still eat fish and occasionally meat they are a thought of as a treat almost like one would see chocolate vs. being the main focus of meals.
I still coupon things occasionally and have discovered apps to get rebates on healthy choices, but I really have to ignore friends and remind myself that fruit and veggies purchased whole (instead of pre-cut) and in season are the cheapest option.
It's easy to get lazy with cooking via buying processed options and not want to cut veggies every week but I pay for it later by not feeling as well and having less money in the bank. Not only can we eat three healthy meals a day for two at under two hundred dollars a month, we also will save money later in life by having less medical bills. I also used to feel awkward bringing lunch to work when everyone else eats out, but I quickly realized they don't care and neither should I.
What advice do you have for someone interested in simplifying her life?
Start today! It's great to research but don't worry about what others are doing too much if you haven't started your journey. The easiest thing to do is the MinsGame and you'd be surprised just how much junk you really have to get rid of while playing.
If something like that is too much for you, try getting rid of one thing before bed or when you first wake up everyday. It can be a single sock with no match, an old towel, a piece of clothing that doesn't fit, or anything. The goal is to just start now.
The more you get rid of, the lighter you will feel. Before you know it decluttering and simplifying your life will be addictive, and eventually it won't require as much effort.
Also allow yourself to enjoy the process and share it with your biggest supporters. You will find what started as getting rid of junk or lessening your time in the kitchen will quickly lead to you simplifying so much more.
Where we can learn more about you?
I love to write about minimalism and offer free tips at my photography website: indiajackson.com
I am also a social media addict with Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook being my favorites and can be reached via:
@theindiajackson on most other social media
Anything you would like to add?
Living simply and being free will help you learn a lot about who you are, what you thought you should be in the past, and what you want for your future. Embrace what you discover and further develop who you are, but always be true to yourself. Most of all collect more wonderful memories instead of cheap things! You will thank yourself later.
Learn about other black minimalists.
Photos courtesy of India Jackson.
Black Minimalists on the Web
When I first started exploring minimalist resources online, I noticed that many of the popular people advocating minimalism, like The Minimalists, Courtney Carver, and Joshua Becker were white, save for Leo Babauta of Zen Habits, who is from Guam.
"Now I know there are some black minimalists out there in the world", I thought to myself, and so began my search with every keyword combination I could muster with no luck.
I realized this was not going to be simple at all. I had to start wide, sort through tons the results, check the sidebar of YouTube for suggested videos, and just be on alert for my tribe while generally perusing the web.
A cursory search of "black minimalist" yields two top hits for Happy Black Woman (Rosetta Thurman, listed below) and then things veer left, but that's about to change.
I’m happy to say I’ve found some, but this is only a starting point. This was a labor of love I thoroughly enjoyed. My excitement rose each time I found a new tribe member.
What follows below is a list of content creators of color. They are in all different stages of their minimalist journeys and discuss various aspects of their simple lifestyles including health, beauty, finances, creativity, self-care, style, eco-friendly living, and more.
The list is alphabetical and I have included a brief synopsis of their content and links to their platforms.
Adrianna and Chris Sargent- xxvico.com
Helmed by a creative husband and wife team, Twenty Six Company showcases the couple’s portfolio, personal style, and efforts at creating a “minimal and liberating lifestyle”.
Adrienne Bennett
Adrienne is a comedian, speaker, blogger/vlogger, and avid crocheter. She shares her interests in pursuit of creating the life she wants to live.
Ambrosia Malbrough- xoxo-brosia.com ; brosialove.com
Ambrosia is a jewelry designer, blogger, and vlogger who shares her beauty, style, and natural hair tips, along with her minimal lifestyle in Arizona.
facebook.com/AmbrosiaMalbrough
Baiyina Hughley- baiyina.com
Baiyina is an interior designer with simple, elegant, yet eclectic style. She shares great ideas and resources for organizing and creating a home that reflects your personal style.
Cassandra- www.theundergroundcenter.org
Cassandra created The Underground Center, a non-profit built on creating a diverse community for people of color to explore sustainable and alternative ways of living.
Danielle
Danielle shares life and minimalist updates including road trips and her graduate studies.
David Oragui- davidjoragui.com
David is a balanced life practitioner who is dedicated to helping people find balance and carve out their own space in life.
youtube.com/channel/UCvrBV-ORDpwy40ntHSzFeHQ
youtube.com/davidjohnsonoragui
Dawn Michelle-minimalistbeauty.com
Dawn shares her thoughts and experiences on all things beauty including skin care, hair care, eco-chic style, and living a healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle.
Deedra Boodram
Deedra is a vlogger who shares her minimalist and debt-free journeys, including budget report cards, no-spend months, meal planning, and family life.
Francheska- heyfranhey.com
Francheska specializes in healthy living and natural beauty.
*Francheska recently announced on her Facebook that she was exploring minimalism, but hasn't created any specific content yet, though I think her lifestyle speaks to simple living.
Francine- callaloosoup.com
Francine’s mantra is “create a beautiful simple life” and her expertise is creative simplicity. She shows you how to craft and decorate without all the clutter and overwhelm.
instagram.com/francinecallaloosoup
*I don't know if Francine identifies as a minimalist, but I consider her a part of this tribe.
India Jackson- indiajackson.com
India is a photographer and makeup artist. She shares snapshots of her career and minimalist journey through her diary-blog.
Kelvin Belfon- goinguncomplicated.com
Kelvin helps you “focus on what matters most”. He tackles the art of simple living from many aspects including minimalist tips for relationships and families.
Letitia Elizabeth- becominglola.blogspot.com ; letitiaelizabeth.com
Letitia shares her journey to minimalism, her tips for the perfect minimalist wardrobe, and resources for ethical fashion on her personal blog. This year she launched her eco-luxe home fashion brand also.
Maggi- cluelesscurl.com
Maggi shares her “clueless” journey to leading an eco-friendly and healthy life. She documents her natural skin and hair care regimen, meals and recipes, and spotlights women of color through her Green Light interview series and brand reviews.
Pastaveia and Sean- ecoconsciousminimalists.com
The duo shares their journey to living an eco-conscious, minimalist lifestyle. Their goal is to rethink their habits, mindsets, and teach others about preserving the earth’s resources.
youtube.com/ecoconsciousminimalistsduo
Rosetta Thurman- happyblackwoman.com
Rosetta helps women create their ideal lives through personal development and entrepreneurship. She also shares her minimalist journey and location independent lifestyle.
RyMingTahn
RyMingTahn shares her journey of becoming vegan, minimalist, buying cruelty free, and her love of diy-ing and thrifting.
Sadiya Marie- sadiyamarie.blogspot.com
Sadiya shares her journey to a more holistic lifestyle to include minimalism, veganism, yoga, and more.
Sophia Burke- sophialivingsimply.com
Sophia shares her interests in minimalism, design, and style, while creating a more balanced and simple lifestyle.
Tara Efobi
Tara shares her college experiences, beauty and style favorites, along with her journey into minimalism.
Timothy Ward
Timothy shares his minimalist experience and daily motivations.
youtube.com/channel/UC4O0Vd3UxFXGX-UQNelwTag/featured
Please support the folks listed and efforts to create a community within the larger minimalist movement. I have started reaching out to many on the list for interviews, so you will see some featured on the blog very soon.
This list is not exhaustive. If you know of more minimalists of color who are content creators, please send me an email at yolanda@yolandavacree.com and I will add them to the list.
This post, along with the Black Minimalists interviews, and the forthcoming video and blog series, Minimalism for Black Liberation, are apart of my larger goal to educate people of color on the benefits of simple living and elevate our voices in the minimalist movement.
The Lazy Minimalist
Lazy people get a bad rap because laziness is often associated with being irresponsible and unmotivated.
I disagree that laziness is a bad thing.
When used correctly, it can actually save you time, money, and energy, which makes it minimalist too.
I identify as a lazy minimalist and have put together some tips from my experiences to help you embrace the lazy minimalist within you.
- Communicate directly. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Beating around the bush leads to confusion. I don't like small talk.
- Have a limited wardrobe. You can easily decide what you want to wear and repeat outfits often. I sometimes wear outfits for two days in a row. The second part may not be for everyone, but I find it easier for me and my schedule.
- Cook the same meals often and eat leftovers for a few days. You cut down on the frequency of grocery shopping and cooking. It also leads to less food wasted.
- Create a flexible work schedule. Whether you work from home, telework, or some other alternative, work as many or as few hours as you need to get the job done. Working from home allows you to forego the business casual attire, pointless meetings, and commuting.
- Make short to-do lists. Focus on the most important things for that day. Decide which part of the day you prefer to get things done. Forget about all those non-essential tasks that can wait. It's not about the amount of things you complete, but the importance of the things completed.
- Get rid of (more) stuff. Less stuff to clean, store, organize, and look at.
- Simplify your personal maintenance. This will largely depend on your style and comfort level with your hygiene, but it's worth a try. Cut your hair or get an easily maintainable style. Shower every other day and take more bird baths. You will use less products and water. Wear less makeup and embrace the natural look. Consider piercings and tattoos as one-time, permanent style upgrades.
I believe a lot of the “extra” stuff we do in life is because we want others to think a certain way of us. Laziness can help you view your life as a cost/benefit analysis. You can obtain the maximum benefit with the least effort.
It's not just being lazy or minimalist, but smart.
Eco-Friendly Tips on a Minimalist Journey
This is a guest feature by Maggi of CluelessCurl.com.
Congratulations! Kudos to you for taking this step. I'm on the journey as well and I shared it here. This journey is complex, but don't be discouraged. I would suggest writing down why you want to do it, so when you get frustrated you can look at why you started in the first place. Doing that will help you find and understand what matters most.
I have a few simple, eco-friendly tips I'd like to share. They have greatly helped me along the way. As always, everyone's journey is not the same. Again, find what's most important to you and go from there. Start small and you'll gradually see how far you've come.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle- Don't throw those containers out yet! Why not reuse them to reduce your carbon footprint. They can make great storage containers or you can use them for something else. Here are some ideas to get you started. Be creative!
DIY- This is a favorite of mines. Learning how to do these projects will save you time and money. One such project that I'm most proud of is making my own skin care products. For years, I suffered from oily/acne prone skin and I wanted to do something about it. I spent hours researching valuable information online. I was sold and never looked at buying commercial products again.
I love diy-ing too. Watch my natural skin care recipes video here.
Groceries- This was a struggle for me when I started. I was the type that would just dump the groceries in the cart with no care in the world. Now, I still have a long way to go, but I've gotten better than before. Shopping with a list (I utilize the notes app on my phone instead of wasting paper) and buying fruits and veggies that are in season, have allowed me to try new recipes I would have given the side eye. I've also taken advantage of Meatless Monday and have some meatless dishes on my blog.
I love my meats, but it's the most expensive items when I go shopping. Also, I learned that everything doesn't need to be organic. If you can afford it fine, but for those who are on a budget like me, there are some fruits and veggies that don't need to be. Mangoes, avocados, eggplants, and onions are just a few you don't need to spend extra for. Their skin protects them from all the toxins.
Thrifting- I know I can't afford designer clothing but that doesn't mean I can't look like a million bucks. Shopping at second-hand stores is not to be overlooked. Some unique items are there waiting for you to discover. There's also the Really Really Free Market. I was introduced to the RRFM a few years ago and have been going when I can.
It's like an outdoor community garage sale, but here's the thing… you don't pay anything. No money, no barter, no trade. You see something you like, you better go for it before someone else does. That's what I did when I saw a like-new Ann Taylor blazer staring at me dead in my eye. SCORE! I've also brought some items I no longer want or need to the RRFM.
Good luck to you on your journey! Remember to keep it simple and research.
Maggi can be found blogging for the underdogs at CluelessCurl. A blog about her ups and down to an eco-friendly lifestyle. It's a mash-up of Health News, DIY's, Recipes, Natural Hair, and more. She also has a recurring Green Light feature where she highlighting women of color who are on the same journey.
P.S. Yours truly is featured in the Green Light series. Click here to read my interview.