Hi Human. You are doing great!

In this museletter: citizenship, love, black futures and more…

Oakland/Ohlone Territory, CA, USA | Monday, February 22, 2021

Yaaron, (‘friends’ in Hindi, think pals!)

There are basically three things on my mind these days: Love, Citizenship & Creativity. The four things I am learning are:

1. Love is the only question worth answering forever.

Recent life events have dismantled every notion I held about what love is. After 32 years, 3 long-term romantic relationships (4, 7 & 6 years respectively), I know nothing about love. If any of you folks know, please educate me! I have read countless blogs, books in an attempt to figure it out. Still quite clueless...

However, I have recognized 2 things: One - Love is the only question worth answering forever. And two - Unconditional love is not effortful, once found it just flows and all we can do is witness it with gratitude no matter how much it hurts. Relationships are a lot of work ,yes, but true love just spills out.

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2. Citizenship is complicated for an immigrant.

For the last four years I have been grappling with what citizenship means. Last year I became a citizen of the USA on February 12th, 2020. I refused to take the pledge of allegiance at my swearing in ceremony. I took The Earth Pledge, instead. #proud. My act of dissent was inspired by the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Read about all my shenanigans from that day here.

But on February 12th, 2020 I also gave up my citizenship to India. A land whose scents, sounds and landscapes are in my bones. As I celebrate my first year of citizenship of the USA, I am still grieving the loss of my my ancestral land as something I belonged to. Read about how I am holding this gratitude and grief together.

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3. Citizenship is a verb with its sleeves rolled up.

Citizenship of the US comes with its own baggage. I have written many blogs about Trump, democracy, identity politics but I never published or shared any of them. Now with the Biden-Harris administration, I feel braver in creating a generative ruckus. My first honest declaration is-- I am COTUS.

Talking about being COTUS, how am I celebrating #blackfuturesmonth? I am reading Martin Luther King Jr’s autobiography alongside Dr. Tiffany Jana’s Subtle Acts of Exclusion to explore perspectives from the past and the present to be an ally for black futures. I am also exploring essays/media/art/content about and by black creators to celebrate their beauty, culture, creativity, and brilliance. One quote that stuck with me is "racism is the child of economic profiteering, not the father." The most enlightening read so far was What is Owed by Nikole Hannah-Jones in the NYT Magazine. Read key quotes from my current list for Learning #blackhistory, Amplifying #blackfutures.

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4. Creativity is our evolutionary birthright.

I am coming out of the closet to myself as an insanely and insatiably creative being, like really. Hint: this is true for you too :P I am embracing this unapologetically. This museletter is my direct way of coming out. I am excitedly terrified about putting myself to this task. I wish myself god and goddesspeed. I hope you tag along for the ride.

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FAKE AD - REAL PRODUCT​
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This edition of The Fireweed Expedition is brought to you by: Clue​

#fakead #realproduct #unrealhumor #bodydemocracy #knowthyself #bodylove

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COUPLE OF QUICKIES

1. Cool shenanigans, cool people are up to:

#systempreneur alert! Are you working towards systems change and seeking community? The awesome Rachel Sinha & Tatiana Fraser of The Systems Sanctuary are launching their annual In the Thick of It and Sisterhood Cohorts - starting this year in March. I had the privilege of being part of both programs a few years ago and they were amazing experiences!

2. Question for your pondering:​
“What is your one most wild and terrifying longing?”

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PARTING WISDOM

please remember:

a phrase from poem Vermeer by polish poet Waslawa Szymborska, translated by Clare Cavanagh and Stanislaw Baranczak.

Thanks for reading this far. Stay safe and keep others safe. Wear a mask (even if you are vaccinated!)

Until my next bleed,

mansi

p.s. I revel in ego death​

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This is the 1st edition of The Fireweed Expedition.

Musings for renewing the future with play and persistence.

Shout-Outs: Thanks to Yi, Cecily, Jonathan, Diana, Kei, Hillary, Jesse, Josh, Preston, Jonathan & Andrea for being the beta testers. Brittany for supporting me in making this happen. Dolly for proofreading and all the love. Chhava & D' for logo design feedback. Lion, for your unconditional support. Kiki for giving me hope.

You can reach me here or on social media.

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You’re getting this email because we have collaborated and learned from each other before or you signed up at one of the following:

​www.mansikakkar.com​
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Please consider the environment before printing this email, correction before humaning.

unCopyright © 2021, All rights reserved to any being that is kind to people and the earth.
Inspired by my awesome friend Adrian Reif.

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Oh, some FAQs about this museletter:

Why a museletter?

Two reasons: one- I want to express my pertinent perceptions with creativity; two- I want connection—not one-to-many but me-to-you direct connection and conversation. Every often I will be hosting conversations on the themes of these expeditions.

What will be shared?

Perspectives, perceptions, musings, movie reviews, poetry, art, provocations, questions, photography, or anything that is inspiring me and fueling my dogged knowing that renewal of the planet and humanity is not a matter of if, but is a matter of when. My life’s work is dedicated to making this knowing visible and tangible.
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Also, not news, but only muse gets shared. Okay, I might share updates from cool projects, whenever relevant, but this will stay true to being a museletter. Subscribe here.

How often?

These museletters will be as irregular as my period. I mean that literally - every 21- 27 days one of these will drop like a beautiful red stain on your inbox. #ibleed #beapussy

You can unsubscribe anytime, koi gal nai! (Punjabi for ‘no worries)! :P

Who are the others?

A crew of friends, fellow dreamers, family of the heart and blood -- I lovingly call the constellation. I will be weaving their thoughts, gifts, art, and many awesome projects into this museletter with love. Oh! and anyone with an open heart is welcome to contribute. Just holler!

Why is it called The Fireweed Expedition?

Thought you’d never ask! Read here.

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