Audre Lorde wrote “The Masters Tools” the year I graduated from high school, sixteen years after Black women were finally allowed to vote in Alabama. Every political disappointment, I return to her words. And now we have your paragraph about elegance being the balm to heal the collective and move us forward. Genius. So needed. Perfect words. Thank you.
that is so kind of you! I remember the first time I read "The Master Tools," and it was so eye opening. You've also inspired me to reread it, I think we need her words more than ever.
I loved your comment—it really got me thinking. Much like Lisa’s reference to Audre Lorde’s 'The Master’s Tools,' I believe we have often tried to combat or resolve problems using the same tactics that perpetuated the oppression in the first place. While change is undeniably both a) inevitable and b) essential for humanity’s growth, I find it a radical act to observe what’s unfolding and then choose to say, "No, I refuse to lower myself to that level or to ignore the beauty that still exists in the world." This isn’t about turning a blind eye to atrocities as they occur; blissful ignorance won’t bring about progress.
I’m not sure if you caught Sunday’s newsletter, but I quoted Diana Vreeland, who once said, 'Elegance is refusal.' This idea of 'refusal' can apply to our sartorial choices—wearing our "best clothes" without waiting for a special occasion; our personal aesthetics—spritzing on a fragrance even if it’s just to run a simple errand; and our approach to life—mindfully choosing what we allow to occupy our mental and emotional space. These acts, and many others like them, demand a refined discernment: knowing what to accept and what to refuse. To me, that discernment is a form of elegance in itself.
Additionally, I think true elegance and grace are deeply rooted in self-awareness—a kind of assurance perfectly captured in the phrase, "To thine own self be true." It’s this grounded confidence that allows us to move through the world with lightness and integrity, shaped by our own values rather than others’ expectations.
Thank you, Jamil, for the reminder that in the face of ugliness, we will always need beauty. I plan to dress for defiance, to be seen, to take up space.💜
...that's interesting to me... interesting how we might react sartorially each in our own way... interesting to hear this angle which is different than my own, and yes, to not give up beauty, the defiance of maintaining beauty, keeping a rose alive in the rubble of war, putting our water on what is beautiful, saving some of our precious water to water things that we cannot eat , whose end result is not the betterment of us , to pour our water instead on beauty, for the value of being affected by beauty... for the way that beauty, the pursuit of beauty changes us for the better, aligns us with our right path,
This is our last hope isn't it, as humans, that there is some counter active force (some other direction) to the performance enhancing self enhancing go go go of consumerism and capitalism and colonialism and that it's a level of the spirits, of souls, of non practical motivation, of love generosity empathy and truth, embodied by beauty.....to pour our water on a rose bush, to sacrifice for beauty, this is something... in that I really agree,
OH and I'll just say in terms of Beauty, I mean what Jalil, you (sorry to be deep in comments) what you mean in your essay, Grace, Elegance... beautiful action, a beautiful Way. I think so many people get caught up trying to look like "beautiful people" (often the people inside the designer duds aren't beautiful at all -just those who can afford to buy the beauty of the designer/artist ) instead of moving through the world with grace... which is why, Yes, the idea of using sartorial powers as an assertive force a la the original comment here, is so intriguing... perhaps there is a way to harness the power of sartorial talent...
Audre Lorde wrote “The Masters Tools” the year I graduated from high school, sixteen years after Black women were finally allowed to vote in Alabama. Every political disappointment, I return to her words. And now we have your paragraph about elegance being the balm to heal the collective and move us forward. Genius. So needed. Perfect words. Thank you.
that is so kind of you! I remember the first time I read "The Master Tools," and it was so eye opening. You've also inspired me to reread it, I think we need her words more than ever.
Thank you, that gave me a lift when I needed one.
Calling yourself a small light is a discredit. I hope you continue to shine through whatever is coming toward us next x
thank you for a little bit of light, jalil 💓
… tell us more about elegance , about moving through life with grace, if you would be so kind …
I loved your comment—it really got me thinking. Much like Lisa’s reference to Audre Lorde’s 'The Master’s Tools,' I believe we have often tried to combat or resolve problems using the same tactics that perpetuated the oppression in the first place. While change is undeniably both a) inevitable and b) essential for humanity’s growth, I find it a radical act to observe what’s unfolding and then choose to say, "No, I refuse to lower myself to that level or to ignore the beauty that still exists in the world." This isn’t about turning a blind eye to atrocities as they occur; blissful ignorance won’t bring about progress.
I’m not sure if you caught Sunday’s newsletter, but I quoted Diana Vreeland, who once said, 'Elegance is refusal.' This idea of 'refusal' can apply to our sartorial choices—wearing our "best clothes" without waiting for a special occasion; our personal aesthetics—spritzing on a fragrance even if it’s just to run a simple errand; and our approach to life—mindfully choosing what we allow to occupy our mental and emotional space. These acts, and many others like them, demand a refined discernment: knowing what to accept and what to refuse. To me, that discernment is a form of elegance in itself.
Additionally, I think true elegance and grace are deeply rooted in self-awareness—a kind of assurance perfectly captured in the phrase, "To thine own self be true." It’s this grounded confidence that allows us to move through the world with lightness and integrity, shaped by our own values rather than others’ expectations.
Well said xx
Just chiming in to say that this was beautifully written. Reading things like this has gotten me through this week.
Just chiming in to say that this was beautifully written. Reading things like this has gotten me through this week.
Thank you, Jamil, for the reminder that in the face of ugliness, we will always need beauty. I plan to dress for defiance, to be seen, to take up space.💜
...that's interesting to me... interesting how we might react sartorially each in our own way... interesting to hear this angle which is different than my own, and yes, to not give up beauty, the defiance of maintaining beauty, keeping a rose alive in the rubble of war, putting our water on what is beautiful, saving some of our precious water to water things that we cannot eat , whose end result is not the betterment of us , to pour our water instead on beauty, for the value of being affected by beauty... for the way that beauty, the pursuit of beauty changes us for the better, aligns us with our right path,
This is our last hope isn't it, as humans, that there is some counter active force (some other direction) to the performance enhancing self enhancing go go go of consumerism and capitalism and colonialism and that it's a level of the spirits, of souls, of non practical motivation, of love generosity empathy and truth, embodied by beauty.....to pour our water on a rose bush, to sacrifice for beauty, this is something... in that I really agree,
OH and I'll just say in terms of Beauty, I mean what Jalil, you (sorry to be deep in comments) what you mean in your essay, Grace, Elegance... beautiful action, a beautiful Way. I think so many people get caught up trying to look like "beautiful people" (often the people inside the designer duds aren't beautiful at all -just those who can afford to buy the beauty of the designer/artist ) instead of moving through the world with grace... which is why, Yes, the idea of using sartorial powers as an assertive force a la the original comment here, is so intriguing... perhaps there is a way to harness the power of sartorial talent...
I’m glad my comment resonated with you, RX. Art has purpose and helps us make sense of the world.