An Interview with Sedona Lynn - Page 2

I recently had a conversation with an English professor/driver’s ed teacher about advocacy on behalf of POC by their white/cis counterparts. How her students felt uncomfortable speaking up about topics like colonization and genocide as she teaches at a primarily Latino high school and being a white teacher, the students’ comfortability with the truth, speaking with their full chests, was somewhat taxing for everyone involved. 

As someone who advocates on behalf of overlooked demographics in this country, what is your comfort level with speaking in public forums like social media etc., specifically, when it comes to sharing your experiences with those that don’t know your unique perspective?

Sedona Lynn: I am entirely comfortable but I’m acutely aware of staying in my lane and sticking to our experiences. Calling out intersections, like disability, is one aspect but disabled and Black is a whole other level, parenting as neurodivergent doesn’t mean I can compromise my children’s dignity, and being clear about that truth supersedes any of my discomfort. 

I hope that makes sense.

Totally. On the subject of neurodivergence and parenting, what are some of the pitfalls you face in separating your own struggles with the balancing act of parenting in such a shallow and unforgiving atmosphere (Murica)? What's your strategy for facing these challenges as a single mom?

SL: Biggest pitfall is balance. Prevailing mental health philosophy is ‘oxygen mask goes on the self first’, right? But disability doesn’t care if the care giver is sick or tired or hurting or depleted, needs are still needs. Judgment is another tough thing. I’m looked at sideways literally everywhere I go. Even in my closer circles misunderstanding often outweighs compassion or offers to you know, help. lol. I am isolated by necessity. I combat the heaviness by insisting on a self that can thrive even in the murkiest of trenches. Faith of my own definition, silliness, embracing my intellect, reading painting singing loudly in my car and shower, looking for ways to give in whatever limited way I can, being fearless around this misconceived notion of time. Eschewing dating because speaking of time, my kids' childhoods are closing rapidly and I’m not interested in “working" on another person when I have them. Deep dive into Greek words for love taught me appreciation for all love. Romance is fine but other forms of love are transcendent.

When we first met in The Pigeon Pit, you’d made a considerable impact on the Kleft Jaw online journals and we were in discussion to publish your poetry collection Says the Speck not long afterwards. You weren’t married yet, and wow, this was before your recent additions to the family. That’s crazy to think of, considering the diverted paths we have all followed since that period of time. I haven’t seen that you’re publishing much these days and if that’s true, that’s a grave injustice that needs to be rectified in the near future. 

SL: I couldn’t read much for the last ten years and when I can’t read I don’t write often. I struggle with my voice mattering but not in a martyr self pity way more of a ‘do we really need another white lady sob story’ kind of way. But I do think I have an inimitable something that shouldn’t stay silenced for too long so I beat on against the current.