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2016-2017 marked a pivotal transition in my life. In 2017, I graduated with a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology, my dissertation exploring modern representations of Black masculinity among Cowboys in Texas. I knew the academic expectation all too well - publish research articles and books. But I realized something important: I didn't necessarily want to be in conversation with other academics about theory. What captivated me was understanding how Black men made sense of their intersectional identity in the 21st century. What did they have to say about themselves? How were they communicating and representing these ideas to each other and the next generation?
After graduation, the pressure mounted to write a book or convert my dissertation into one - that familiar expectation drilled into students nearing the end of their grad school journey. During my final year in 2017, I was living in LA, having moved there in January 2016. Being a creature of habit, my first order of business was finding comedy shows. I discovered Mo' Betta Monday's, Chocolate Sundae's at The Comedy Union, and The J Spot, and started going regularly. These comedy clubs became my version of Cheers, "where everybody knows my name." Looking at the industry demographics, I found myself surrounded by Black men who had all types of stories to tell from their perspectives. A good storyteller would keep my attention regardless of what was happening in the "real" world. I hadn't quite been able to articulate the source of my anxiety back then. I didn't want to call how I was spending my time procrastination - even though it was - because it felt productive. I knew what I needed to do, but the expectation of how that thing should be presented created this internal conflict that left me frozen, unable to make progress. So I started writing a movie based on my research, telling myself I was still being productive even though I was "supposed" to be writing a book. Eventually, I saw the connection to my research interests. I couldn't articulate it at first because after the intentional use of comedy clubs as an escape from academic thinking and processing, it started to feel like procrastination. I had finished my coursework and defense, so the pressure was no longer there. It felt like procrastination because the original reason for going no longer existed. Then I told myself it was work because it felt productive, but I couldn't fully articulate why. Finally, I realized the why: storytelling, demographics, and my research were all interconnected. I taught myself screenwriting and began playing with stories from my fieldwork that hadn't made it into journal publications. I started writing a script based on these people, now composite characters, and experiences that I didn't analyze in the way a social scientist would. Going to comedy clubs in Houston had initially been my escape from grad school work and that particular way of thinking. As time went on, as I grew, the role of comedy and that entertainment space evolved for me. What started as a separate space revealed itself to have something deeper drawing me in, and I settled into that explanation. Here we are in 2024, and I have my first finished screenplay. I've written a short film based on my personal experiences in higher education that's already a finalist in a film festival screenplay competition. And I have a clear vision for my first book. My mentor - a man who I consider one of the giants whose shoulders my work stands on - says I have a book, and now I'm on the second draft of my book proposal to prepare for submission to a publisher for a contract. I'm not sure what the lesson is, but that's why I'm writing this - to share this journey of finding my own way to tell these important stories.
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Finalist: Top 3
To talk about delayed gratification is to speak of a kind of horror story in that the suspense is crazy! It's like a horror story with a happy ending 😆😏 Act 1 is almost complete. During Q4 2023, while thinking about my end-of-year goals and planning for 2024, I set myself a single objective: to finish writing a feature film script based on my @drbabers doctoral dissertation and fieldwork. My deadline was 11:59:59 PM on December 31, 2023. I achieved this goal. So what does that have to do with Fowl Play, Saddle Standouts, and Quieted? In January 2024, with my complete draft in hand, I faced the real challenge: rewriting. My problem was twofold - I’d learned screenwriting entirely from books (which often contradicted each other), and I had countless questions about production and screen translation. To tackle this, I wrote two short scripts (in January): “Fowl Play” and “Quieted.” I used “Fowl Play” to pay for my education in film production, while submitting “Quieted” to festivals for feedback on my writing. I also launched a documentary film project (another goal), relocated from Texas to Washington, and began a new position that involved creating a Black Studies minor program (another goal). In the midst of all this, I started writing what I consider my first book (🙄 finally a vision for this). Q4 2024 🤷🏾♀️ I won’t be able to say much about right now until January 2025 I will say that I’z tired, boss 😮💨 But I’m also WINNING 🏆 so there’s that. Finalist: 2nd Place 🥈 Look at me winning 2nd place 😂🙌🏾 well, tell me something 🤣 The script that won 2nd place ain't even the same script anymore. I kept working on it because…progress 😁 Ok, so, when I decided to jump out there and avail myself to such scrutiny from strangers - experts in the field but strangers nonetheless - I asked for advice from people who I had watched change lanes from standup to indie filmmaking. Here’s what I got: Shoot for smaller festivals, themed or genre-based festivals, and festivals that were not as established. “A laurel is a laurel” What I did: I took what felt right to me and then did what I wanted to do. So, imposter syndrome is real even after winning 2nd place in a festival that’s 24 years running now. I would say “because ain’t no way when I wrote that script in 3-4 hours based on what I learned from books that contradicted more than complemented each other.” I guess that’s why they call this thing art 🤷🏾♀️ my left brain wants to know how and why they chose my script to be in the top 2, wants to read the other 8 scripts and interview the judges…because what’s the formula 😩 At the same time, I’m thinking those ten pages could be a whole dream that Sis wakes up from 🤔🤭 It's FINALLY here!!
During Q4 2023, while thinking about my end-of-year goals and planning for 2024, I set myself a single objective: to finish writing a feature film script based on my @drbabers doctoral dissertation and fieldwork. My deadline was 11:59:59 PM on December 31, 2023. I achieved this goal. So what does that have to do with Fowl Play? In January 2024, with my complete draft in hand, I faced the real challenge: rewriting. My problem was twofold - I’d learned screenwriting entirely from books (which often contradicted each other), and I had countless questions about production and screen translation. To tackle this, I wrote two short scripts (in January): “Fowl Play” and “Quieted.” I used “Fowl Play” to pay for my education in film production.
As an educator and cultural anthropologist, I've always believed in the power of history to inform and shape our present and future. Recently, I had the honor of leading a project that brought this belief to life in a tangible way - the designation of Calvert Colored High School as a Texas historical landmark.
This journey, beautifully captured in a recent article by Tenny Luhrs for The Battalion, represents more than just the preservation of a building. It's a testament to the resilience of the Black community in rural Texas and a celebration of educational progress against the backdrop of segregation. Calvert Colored High School, built in 1929 under the Rosenwald School Fund, was part of a visionary project that saw almost 5,000 schools constructed for Black students across the rural South between 1917 and 1932. This initiative, born from the collaboration between Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald, aimed to address the stark educational disparities faced by Black children in the region. The significance of this school goes beyond its physical structure. As I shared with Tenny, it represented a dramatic shift from the limited curriculum of plantation schools to a formal education that put Black students "in competition with jobs that white people were doing in the town." It was a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change in a time of profound inequality. The process of obtaining the historical landmark designation was a labor of love, involving countless hours of research and collaboration with the Calvert Colored/WD Spigner Alumni Association, Calvert's mayor Layla Wright, and the Robertson County Historical Society. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of community in preserving our shared history. What touches me most about this project is the ongoing impact of the school on the Calvert community. As Charlie Babers, president of the Alumni Association, pointed out, the building continues to serve as a multipurpose center, hosting events and keeping the community connected. It's a living testament to the enduring legacy of those who fought for quality education for all. This experience reinforces my belief in the crucial importance of preserving historical sites, especially those that tell the stories of marginalized communities. As I mentioned in the article, "The reason we make pencils with erasers is so we can change what we say or what is written, but to the extent that you have an artifact, a physical structure, the only way to erase that is to knock it down." I encourage all of you to look around your communities. What untold stories are waiting to be preserved? What pieces of history are at risk of being lost? Remember, anyone can apply for a historical marker for a subject they believe is of historical significance. Let's continue to honor our past, celebrate our progress, and use these preserved spaces as launching pads for future generations. After all, in understanding where we've been, we gain clearer insight into where we're going.
In the journey of education, there are moments that illuminate the far-reaching impact of our work in the classroom. Recently, I was touched by a beautiful reminder of how our discussions in Africana Studies can ripple out into the world.
A former student from my African Masculinity course reached out, sharing her continued engagement with the themes we explored together. Her journey from classroom participant to campus journalist, now writing for both The Battalion and Her Campus, speaks to the power of creating brave spaces for learning and growth. What started as an interview about my work on the Calvert Colored High School historical marker blossomed into something more profound. This student's reflection on our course, published in Her Campus, offers a touching testament to the transformative potential of Africana Studies.
As an African American woman teaching in this field, I'm deeply aware of the vulnerability and strength required to navigate these complex discussions. Seeing students carry these conversations beyond our classroom, engaging wider audiences with nuanced perspectives on race, gender, and history, reaffirms the importance of this work.
Read her reflections through the links below and consider your own journey of growth and understanding. How might you create ripples of positive change in your own circles? |
AuthorDr. Myeshia C. Babers is a cultural anthropologist, educator, and heritage preservation advocate. As an Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies, she specializes in Africana Studies, focusing on the intersections of race, education, and cultural memory. Dr. Babers brings a unique perspective to her work, combining academic rigor with community engagement and creative storytelling. Her efforts in preserving African American educational heritage, particularly the Calvert Colored High School in Texas, showcase her commitment to connecting past struggles with present-day challenges in diversity and inclusion. Through her writing, teaching, and public scholarship, Dr. Babers continues to bridge worlds - academia and industry, corporations and communities, history and the present - always striving to create transformative experiences that increase social impact while honoring the vulnerability and resilience of all involved. Archives
December 2024
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