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having the most delicious caramel pu'erh.

In which ismatu gwendolyn, public servant, recounts the praxis they got from their local strippery in regards to the acquisition and distribution of US dollar bills. Full transcript available at https://www.threadings.io/the-strip-club-did-indeed-make-me-bonkers/

In which ismatu Gwendolyn, budding revolutionary, reminds everyone (once again) that their goal is NOT a life where they are individually comfortable! Sign up to support them financially at threadings.io: https://www.threadings.io/the-financial-transparency-meeting-but-i-yell-instead-of-show-graphs/#/portal/signup Fill out the resource form in case you have non-momentary skills or supplies you believe to be relevant to their projects. https://www.jotform.com/form/251693630800151 Cool. Please stop asking me to focus on my own individual finances. Do you know how good I am at making individual money. What an unnecessarily small life— especially when ACTUAL FOOD SOVEREIGNTY IS ON THE TABLE. Come on now!

Full transcript, as always, available at threadings.io

full transcript at threadings.io

The global working class engages in active revolution as we speak (and here I am to pontificate about it). As I (ismatu, artist, the pen behind these essays) become more powerful in my world-making, where do I go? Will I defect out of the working class and join the rank of capitalists? Or will I stake my personal powers for collective gain?

In which writer and child of immigrants ismatu gwendolyn discusses the systematic deportations of academic immigrants. Beyond debating whether fascism has “taken hold” in the United States… what do you do when you are afraid for yourself? What happens now that plain-clothed “officers” hunt in broad daylight? All transcripts and sources available at threadings.io https://www.threadings.io/they-hunt-in-broad-daylight-2/

In which Ismatu Gwendolyn, young revolutionary with a pen in hand, seeks to stake their power with and for The People, rather than utilizing the trust of their masses as a site of endless extraction. Link to essay: Link to video: https://youtu.be/jaEMTluGj5E Show Notes: Twenty Enemies by James Forman twenty enemies james forman.pdf you've been traumatized into hating reading (and it's making you easier to oppress): Information Anarchy: The Case Against Sponsorships

Midnight musings on Bird Flu, Yahtzee, and the merits of taking a jumping break with your resident one year old. Pour some tea for this one. All essays (transcripts) available at threadings.io

Otherwise entitled, “Everybody wanna be Nina Simone; don’t nobody wanna sing Mississippi Goddam.” In which ismatu gwendolyn, writer and public scholar, unpacks our collective desire for artists that reflect the times (and holds up a persistent and unforgiving mirror). The full transcript can be viewed at threadings.io.

The purpose of the State of the Constituency is to reorient ourselves to who I am (the invisible pen behind all these essays, Ismatu Gwendolyn) what I do, why I do what I do, and how you all affect me. You are also invited to explore what you want from your participation in this ether community. I’m also sitting here with blueberry chamomile lemon tea. God, that's so good. With a little honey. Read the full transcript, and all other essays, at threadings.io https://www.threadings.io/state-of-the-constituency-2024/

in which ismatu gwendolyn returns to their stage to talk about what’s keeping them up at night. Transcription available at threadings.io https://www.threadings.io/on-fear/

The strangest part about terminal illness is how often death comes for a peck on the lips and nothing more. A few weeks ago, I flew home to attend my mother's final affairs. Now we sit, smoothies and champagne glasses, watching a movie to spend time together. It's sunny this Tuesday. Here are reflections from Invisible Beauty on Bethann Hardison, from both me and my mother. Jazz of the Episode: Stepping Through The Shadow x Menahan Street Band Tryin’ Times x Roberta Flack Estate x Leilo Luttazzi Slow and Easy x Speedy West Rainy Day Lady x Menahan Street Band Love And Peace x Quincy Jones Read the full essay at ismatu.substack.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ismatu.substack.com/subscribe

a series of musings nearly entitled, “I am frightened by the way people tire of the world.” I have had a negative amount of desire to write but Toni Morrison said it’s your job to write when evil wishes to distract you so. Here I am, I suppose. The thesis of today’s musings are that we want the fiction of a happy ending more than we want actual liberation. Looking for a transcript, sources and links? Read the full work at ismatu.substack.com. Selected Jazz of the Episode: Muziqa heywete x Getatchew Mekurya Afternoon of a Swan x Speedy West HOW CAN WE MEND A BROKEN HEART x Kahil El’Zabar Love and Peace x Quincy Jones A Taste of Honey x Andy Bey, The Bey Sisters Better Than x Lake Street Drive Soul Serenade x Aretha Franklin La notte muore (orchestra) x Sandro Brugnolini Sweet Leilani x Les Paul & His Trio This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ismatu.substack.com/subscribe

Questions for your consideration: how do I appreciate you well for taking part in this space? And, how best can we a public good? Please whatever comment features you have available and let me know! ft. Afternoon of a Swan by Speedy West This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ismatu.substack.com/subscribe