BNP Testimonies (Extended): Instinctive Travels & The Paths Of Self Care

In response to the staggering election results in which many members of marginalized communities experienced how disconnected they were from their fellow citizens as the country elected bigotry and hatred; Black Nerd Problems put out the call to hear how people were coping. Here is a collection of short essays on what we’re doing, just to get by. The Threat: Brandan Tate / Twitter: @MarlonBrandan Black Male, Hip Hop Aficionado A couple weeks ago, Q-Tip had announced that a new ATCQ album was on the way. So I had created my own “low end theory” on how to properly celebrate the return of the rap group that saved my life. No hyperbole there. They saved my life. The album was set for release on the Friday of election week. So I had it all planned: Sunday: People’s Instinctive Travels Monday: The Low End Theory Tuesday: Midnight Marauders Wednesday: Beats, Rhymes & Life Thursday: The Love Movement Friday: The release of the new and final album, We Got It From Here, Thank You 4 Your Service Saturday: SNL hosted by Dave Chappelle with Musical Guest, A Tribe Called Quest I couldn’t have planned it better. So of course, my week starts off dope with a capital “D” then Election Doomsday, my bad, Tuesday rolls up and the outcome sent me on a deep, introspective, and extrospective journey of my life, my friends, society and the prospects of what’s to come in the next 4-8 years. As I thought about these things, the horrible things I’ve read, heard and seen over the past year, darkness …