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28 days --- 56 ways to be Young, Gifted and Black: Madison Cannon


How do you spend your days?

I work during the days as software developer and its aight. Really my main focus is planning and executing projects on projects. I am trying to work on as many skills as possible because I don’t trust nobody (white people), and I want to engage in alternatives for me and my people. So far, my main focuses are woodworking, gardening and making body products.

Currently, I am in the Master Gardener program mildly obsessing over best practices in engaging in small-scale, sustainable, organic farming in St. Louis. There are a bunch of people who have already mastered this here, like really mastered it. I want to be a part of that community because if, you know me you know I love food, no lie; it takes me 4 hours to cook a night because I have no chill when it comes to cooking. But really there is just so much power and community in growing food for you and those around you. Other things I am trying to incorporate into my routine is talking to my ancestors and giving thanks. I make a fire most nights, I give offering. I'm learning how to, I guess for lack of better word, pray.

What brings you joy?

The crew. My boo. My dog Leo. Spicy food. The Sun. Coconut Oil. Being soft. Learning. Math.

What is liberation to you?

Separatist trash island.  Literally it means a separatist qtpoc community floating out in the middle of Pacific Ocean somewhere on recycling https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GnLhWpy_nqI/maxresdefault.jpg (for reference). But figuratively what I mean is, I just want to make sure my community is good and can as much as possible, not just exist but thrive economically, socially, and politically outside of capitalism and white supremacy.

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