gatherer.

January 24, 2022

Name: Christopher

Age: 30-something

Notes: “Are you sure, sweetheart, that you want to be well?”

—Toni Cade Bambara, The Salt Eaters

I can talk about Christopher in a variety of ways, but what I’d like to do with a couple of sentences, is to bring you closer to the light that is Christopher.

It’s easy to overlook and undervalue those people you claim to love. People shouldn’t have to fight to love you. The world is a much colder place without community. Everyone needs a place to hang their coat, get a meal, have a drink and decompress.

***

When you meet someone whose impulse to gather folks in this manner, look out for them. It’s easy to mistake competency for health. To conflate strength with health. To forget that gatherers need to be gathered and loved on, too. Looked after. Hugged. Most of all, be present, be kind, and listen.

***

Learn more about Christopher’s latest project, In the Life 2.0, an oral history project and podcast that centers stories of Black queer folk.

Website: everybodyneedsawitness.com

Camera: iPhone SE, Diptic B&W filter

Location: Harlem

Words: 188