Do Something Different

I’ve released my book The Wolf Throne and have been on a journey of writing and self-publishing, with various other stops in between. So, what has inspired me to write these thoughts down in some spare corner of the internet? BlacKkKlansman.

Blogging is something that I have toyed with in the past, but I’ve never stuck at it. Part of it is the time it takes, and another part of it is lack of hubris. I hope. Who cares what I think? That said, sometimes I have conversations with other creatives that I feel could maybe, maybe, be good for all creatives to hear. Not because they will always agree with me, but because it might spark a debate. Disclaimer, I dislike being ‘political’. However, at times it will come through. But, even so, I am always talking to the creatives out there and trying to help, in any small way I can, them create. So...

I saw BlacKkKlansman with my partner this weekend. It is such fantastic film, on so many levels, that I implore any who read this to see it. The film is so powerful, a word that is often overused, but in this case incredibly accurate, and so thought-provoking, that any further praise I write would not do it justice. It also made me realise that I cannot understand the struggles of the minorities. And there are two important facts that exist thereafter. One, it is not my fault that I cannot understand the struggles. Two, even though I never experience, and may never see, the struggles of minorities, they exist. Too heavy on the politics? Hold tight, there is a point.

While I was sitting comfy in the cinema, eating too much popcorn (is there such a thing?), I realised that all the trailers playing before BlacKkKlansman had ‘minority’ leads. I used to work in a cinema, a lifetime ago, and so I understand why they do this. If you like one film, and this other film is similar, it may appeal to you. And then I realised a danger. All our beliefs and knowledge and understandings are just repeated back to us. We each live in our own bubble. If you like this film with this lead, you’ll like this similar film. And you might enjoy it. But what will you gain from it? I wondered if the BlacKkKlansman trailer was ever shown before films with a large white audience, so that they might broaden their horizons? Or was it banished to play in front of ‘niche’ films? Truly, I do not know. But I hope it was seen by all. Because the white audience could gain a new perspective of black experience.

I’ll bring it back to creativity. Because, while I believe racism is an issue, and it is, it’s not what I am trying to explain. What I am getting at is, too often we insulate ourselves with things that reinforce our beliefs. How can you expect to ever grow as a human if that’s your plan? You need to try things that take you out of your comfort zones, and not even because you may like it, because you might not, but because you will gain experience. Which, in turn, will give you more depth. And the deeper you are, the more you have to draw on when you create.

And so, I beg of you, do something different. See a film that you normally wouldn’t watch, pick up a book you normally wouldn’t read or go and jump out of a plane (remember the parachute!). So, you may not like it? You might find a new hobby. You might find the inspiration to create something new and different. You might find a new way of writing. But, you will grow as a person. Please, go forth and challenge yourself.

All power to all people.