I must give Summer Walker Kudos for inviting us to be a part of her personal journey. It takes so much courage, especially in a time when African Traditional Practices are sometimes seen as a trend or dismissed as demotic.
I have personally embraced and lived this way of life for approximately four years now, and I can confidently say that it has been the best decision I've made. I transitioned from following many different religions to finding true freedom. I am still on a path of learning and growth, which aligns with the essence of African Traditional Religions (ATR). It is all about evolving into a better version of oneself while residing in this mortal vessel.
Unfortunately, the confusion arises from a false narrative that misrepresents ATR. However, as my godfather would say, we should disregard the opinions of those who fail to understand and instead focus on establishing a connection with our own divine oneness.
Summer Walker has been refreshingly open about her practice, even boldly sharing a photo of herself in all-white attire while grocery shopping. Despite facing ridicule and being called a clown, she fearlessly responded, "Who's the clown? The ones trying to reconnect with STOLEN practices? Or the ones who can't recognize the importance of their own culture?" Walker further explained, "I know yawos aren't supposed to post themselves, but I received blessings from my godparents to do so for work. I want to demonstrate how one can maintain their job while being a yawo, all the while rejecting vanity. I'm sharing this publicly to emphasize the significance of embracing African religions and destigmatizing them."
She spoke her truth, and that's final. Now, fast forward to the present—Summer has made the most of her time off and made a powerful comeback. Her new album resonates deeply with my spirit, especially knowing that she embraces traditional practices.
It is truly beautiful to witness how tapping into traditional practices can bring about a profound sense of peace, love, and happiness, even during the darkest moments, which are inevitable. Trust me; they still come.
Watching Summer Walker on "Care Sha Please" brought immense tranquility to my spirit. It felt like watching a reflection of myself. I can only imagine the emotions she experienced, having not been with any of her children's fathers. As Erykah Badu wisely said, "Who plans for this?" No one does, especially when all you seek is love. One of the lessons mentioned in Agayu's Revelation is, "The love I put into others is the love I needed to put into myself." That hit home because it was the most significant lesson I had to learn. The fact that she is learning these lessons at her age and embracing them by sharing them in her music and interviews is truly remarkable. It's as if the caterpillar has transformed into a beautiful butterfly, and she continues to put in the necessary work—and it shows.
Within light, there is darkness, and finding the balance between the two is crucial. How we navigate through the darkness and the lessons we learn from it allow us to embrace the light. That's what it's all about.
I want to applaud those who have experienced guilt, shame, hurt, fear, and depression but continue to strive to become a better version of themselves. This is especially true for single mothers—it's not an easy journey. The hardest place to be is feeling like no one understands, but believe me, there are women who do. It's about attracting those who genuinely support you and push you forward. It may be one person or many, but even one is better than none.
Traditional practices guide us to become the best versions of ourselves while still allowing us to give, but with healthy boundaries. It encourages us to connect with a deeper level of spirit, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling existence on Earth.
People often misunderstand things when they fear change, when they carry internal conflicts, when they feel superior, or simply when they lack understanding.
So, in my Jamaican voice, I say: Don't worry bout what people have to say and focus on the work that resonates with you! Ase.
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