Carlitta Ann on Indigenous Blackness and How to Deal With New Information

Carlitta Ann is a Virginian singer/songwriter whose music has been featured on major Apple Music and Spotify playlists, as well as national and international radio. She enjoys harmony stacks, artisanal snacks, and nonsense. She is a member of supergroup 4th Corner (Come Back Home) and continues to make music with lifelong friend Sydney Jane (me) and their band Adjustment Period. Her first small body of work entitled Lil Bit was released Dec. 2019. Do you like to dance, but are worried about onlookers? Do you have qualms about the repetitive ways we express love? Are you tired of being harassed? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then Carlitta’s music is for you.

Carlitta and I met on the first day of high school, in choir class, in Chesapeake, Virginia. I was so nervous because I had just moved from Connecticut, I had no friends, and everyone already seemed to know each other from years of attending the same schools. Carlitta immediately embraced me, made me laugh, and, since then, has proven herself, time and time again, to be an exceptional friend and overall person. She and I have been through most of the big phases of our lives together, always making jokes or writing music through the changes (the songs are actually mostly jokes, too), but funnily enough, have never dived too deeply into our own concepts of spirituality with each other. Knowing that she has also been a member of her Native American tribe (Piscataway Conoy) since high school, and that I had never asked her many questions about her experiences as a Black Indigenous person, I thought it best we break some of these things down together, and hopefully educate not only myself, but anyone who wanted to listen. I truly hope you enjoy this silly, deep, and raw conversation between two best friends!

In this episode, Carlitta and I discuss spirituality, the importance of honoring ancestors, and bridging generational divides. Carlitta shares her spiritual journey, which began in the Christian church and later expanded to include indigenous practices. She emphasizes the need for continuous learning and adjusting one's beliefs based on new information. We also explore the concept of being a steward of the land and the importance of listening and exchanging knowledge with different generations.

Key Takeaways:

✷ Spirituality is an ever-shifting and growing journey that can be influenced by various belief systems and practices.

✷ Honoring ancestors and maintaining a connection with them can be done through altars, rituals, and storytelling.

✷ Knowledge is an even exchange

✷ Bridging generational divides requires letting go of ego, actively listening, and recognizing the value of knowledge exchange.

✷ Your gift grows you, so lean into who you actually are.

✷ Artistic expression can be deeply influenced by spirituality and personal experiences.

Support:

Carlitta’s Cash App (she’s a college student, so let’s help her out, y’all): $CHtwotees

Follow Carlitta and listen to her music: https://fanlink.tv/carlitta

Our Show’s Theme Song: Grey Rock Shuffle by Ray Alex ft. Sydney Jane