The space we make for each other

On Sunday, October 11, hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Curtis Renee.  Curtis dedicated their life to advancing human liberation. They introduced themselves to people, saying,

“Hi… My name is Curtis Renee. I am a non-binary person. My pronouns are they/them/theirs. If we are family, lovingly call me sibling, nibbling, nib, family, offspring, pibling (for nieces and nephews). If we are friends, lovingly call me Curtis or Curt, friend homie. 

Language becomes a part of our bodies, and making shifts in our language can be hard because of that. Remember that I also need to be seen and affirmed in your language, so intentionally put forth that afford as an intentional act of love. 

Happy Pride Family! I deeply thank you for the space we make for each other in this world. I love you with my whole heart.”

Among the crowd were family, friends, comrades who have worked to define much of what is best about Detroit. We gathered in ceremony deeply rooted in the African and African American traditions of homegoing. Calling upon the ancestors for the libations were poured at the words of Sweet Honey and the Rock echoed throughout the hall:

'Tis the ancestor’s breath when the fire’s voice is heard
'Tis the ancestor’s breath in the voice of the water.

Those who have died have never, never left
The dead are not under the earth
They are in the rustling trees
They are in the groaning woods
They are in the crying grass,
They are in the moaning rocks
The dead are not under the earth.

Those who have died have never never left.
The dead have a pact with the living.
They are in the woman’s breast,
They are in the wailing child
They are with us in our homes.
They are with us in the crowd
The dead have a pact with the living.

For a few hours on a rainy Sunday afternoon the dangers and difficulties we all face seemed of little consequence, dwarfed by the largeness of spirit that animated Curtis Renee’s life in our community.

Speakers emphasized their love of food, especially as it has been handed down by generations of Black chefs and cooks. They spoke of their tireless work, rooted in the philosophies and practices of Black Panthers and Martin Luther King, to create safe, whole communities. They helped forge organizations that offer vision and purpose to Detroit, including Black Lives Matter, Detroit Safety Team, ADS Detroit, Spokes Council, Fender Bender, and Food Heritage Tours. Whether biking through the streets of Detroit or holding gatherings of people across the country and often across the globe, Curtis encouraged us to think beyond what is, to what we could imagine together.

The celebration culminated in a Second Line with the Gabriel Bass Band leading us out into the mists, dancing, laughing, and crying.

For me, it felt like Curtis was giving us one last gift as an organizer. In their transition to ancestor, they offered a reminder of how fragile and beautiful life is. They affirmed our capacity to create communities of love and care, reminding us of the best part of ourselves and of a world we have yet to create.