Walela Nehanda

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Walela Nehanda is a Black non-binary writer, cultural worker, cancer & stem cell transplant survivor, and mental health advocate from Los Angeles, California. [1]

Contents

In 2020, Nehanda was featured on the 26th Annual Out100 list. [2] In 2022, they were chosen to be a Zoeglossia fellow. [3] [4]

Nehanda's book, Bless the Blood, was released in the United States in February 2024, through Penguin Random House. [5]

Early life

Mental health struggles and advocacy

As a teenager, Nehanda volunteered at a crisis hotline for people contemplating suicide. [6]

Nehanda struggled with self-harm growing up as a way of coping with overwhelming feelings of anger and hurt. [7] They began getting tattoos as a way to cover scarification, which eventually evolved into a way for them to express themself, their art, and their activism. [8]

Name selection

Nehanda used to go by the name, KiNG. [9] They got the name from a freestyle rap they did including the line "ain't no queen when I can rule like a king." [7]

Walela received the name from an elder during a rite of passage. They chose the last name "Nehanda" after Nehanda Abiodun and Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana, out of admiration for Nyakasikana's struggle during Chimurenga against British colonization. [10]

Interest in writing

At the age of 19, Nehanda reluctantly attended a poetry slam at Barnard and was surprised by the power and presence of Black women owning their stories. Nehanda began writing poetry shortly afterwards as a way to cope with being sexually assaulted. Nehanda attended weekly poetry slams at Da Poetry Lounge in Los Angeles. Nehanda credits writing poetry with saving their life. They released their first poetry album Baptism in 2016, including piano arrangements Nehanda created. [7] [9]

At age 21, Nehanda represented Da Poetry Lounge at the National Poetry Slam competition, alongside teammates Tonya Ingram and Alyesha Wise. [11] [12] [13]

Activism

Resurrection

In April 2018, the Los Angeles County Police Department (LAPD) fatally shot 30-year old, Grechario Mack, who was schizophrenic and on new medication, at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza mall. [14] Nehanda and their partner had left the mall only minutes before the murder of Mack occurred, leaving them traumatized. In 2019, Nehanda released the EP Resurrection, with the title song addressing the murder and the grief of never feeling safe as a Black person in America. The artivist EP is inspired by Black activists and thinkers Toni Cade Bambara, Assata Shakur, Tupac, Gil-Scott Heron, Frantz Fanon, and Octavia Butler. Black Voice News said the project, "exemplifies what it means to be an artist and an organizer, while proving that neither exists in a vacuum" and praised Nehanda's "surreal soundscape and vibrant wordplay". [15]

The Assata Bukhari Collective

In 2018, Nehanda began facilitating a weekly open mic and workshop called Spit Justice, alongside The Assata Bukhari Collective, which Nehanda belonged to. A-BC consisted of Black predominately femme, queer, working class organizers local to South Central. Alongside their open mics, Spit Justice held community conversations around police violence, gentrification, colonialism, and other topics to strengthen participants' emotional literacy, critical thinking, and problem solving rooted in grassroots organizing. The Assata Bukhari Collective distributed free hot food, clothes, and hygiene products to low-income people. The group also hosted teen and adult healing circles, each twice a month, and weekly movement-building study groups. [16]

Disability activism

In 2020, Nehanda searched for days for a Lysol disinfectant spray, but was unable to find it on their own, due to the shortages caused by the pandemic. Panicked, Nehanda, posted on Twitter seeking assistance, and found a community of people offering to help them get their needs met. This inspired Nehanda to create mutual aid documents that helped get needed supplies to 200 immunocompromised people during the early days of the pandemic. [2] [17]

Nehanda has gotten 6,430 people registered with the lifesaving bone marrow donor list through Be the Match. [2]

Cancer

Diagnosis

In 2017, at age 23, Nehanda found out they had advanced-stage chronic myeloid leukemia when a doctor found Nehanda had a 600% higher white blood cell count than what's considered normal. Nehanda had experienced symptoms for years before being diagnosed, but had associated the symptoms with the stress of being homeless and poor. Nehanda attempted two oral chemotherapies that were unsuccessful at treating the leukemia. [18]

In 2018, Nehanda beat sixty competitors in a spoken word contest focused on the negative health effects of tobacco and menthol on communities of color. Nehanda performed in order to educate peers about social injustice and medical apartheid in the Black community. [19]

In 2019, Nehanda told Nylon that when they first began seeking answers for their physical symptoms, they were accused by providers of being "an addict" malingering for medication they didn't need. If a nurse hadn't advocated for a blood test, Nehanda wouldn’t have received treatment for their condition early enough to survive. [20]

Treatment based on appearance

Nehanda has spoken out against the compliments they received on their weight loss when they first began experiencing cancer symptoms. They've expressed these comment were dangerous because they normalized and celebrated a warning sign. Nehanda struggled with an eating disorder for over a decade leading up to their leukemia diagnosis. They have stated the emphasis media, hospitals, and nonprofits put on cancer-patients looking like frail, thin, bald, white women has negatively influenced health care professionals' treatment of Nehanda as a fat, Black, queer cancer patient. [20]

Experiences during COVID-19

In 2020, Nehanda spoke to Anthony Padilla about the shame they initially felt about being immunocompromised, due to their inability to work, and the internalized ableism they've had to work through. During the interview, Nehanda also commented on experiencing racial profiling as a Black person, wearing a face mask in stores in Los Angeles during the pandemic, and getting involved in mutual aid efforts to help low-income disabled people survive isolation. [21]

Transplant

In February 2019, Nehanda called a suicide hotline, which reminded them of their training as a teen working at a hotline. They remembered that often folks calling those numbers wanted to live and needed resources. Nehanda contacted their therapist for support. They were referred to a psychiatrist, who diagnosed Nehanda with PTSD, depression, ADHD, and anxiety. Nehanda credits the self-care and provider-care they received for their mental health with giving them the strength to want to live and pursue a bone marrow transplant. [6]

In 2020, at age 26, they received a bone marrow transplant, during the initial panic and danger of the COVID-19 pandemic. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leukemia</span> Blood cancers forming in the bone marrow

Leukemia is a group of blood cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and produce high numbers of abnormal blood cells. These blood cells are not fully developed and are called blasts or leukemia cells. Symptoms may include bleeding and bruising, bone pain, fatigue, fever, and an increased risk of infections. These symptoms occur due to a lack of normal blood cells. Diagnosis is typically made by blood tests or bone marrow biopsy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lymphoma</span> Hematologic cancer that affects lymphocytes

Lymphoma is a group of blood and lymph tumors that develop from lymphocytes. The name typically refers to just the cancerous versions rather than all such tumours. Signs and symptoms may include enlarged lymph nodes, fever, drenching sweats, unintended weight loss, itching, and constantly feeling tired. The enlarged lymph nodes are usually painless. The sweats are most common at night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myelodysplastic syndrome</span> Diverse collection of blood-related cancers

A myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is one of a group of cancers in which immature blood cells in the bone marrow do not mature, and as a result, do not develop into healthy blood cells. Early on, no symptoms typically are seen. Later, symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath, bleeding disorders, anemia, or frequent infections. Some types may develop into acute myeloid leukemia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multiple myeloma</span> Cancer of plasma cells

Multiple myeloma (MM), also known as plasma cell myeloma and simply myeloma, is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that normally produces antibodies. Often, no symptoms are noticed initially. As it progresses, bone pain, anemia, renal insufficiency, and infections may occur. Complications may include hypercalcemia and amyloidosis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation</span> Medical procedure to replace blood or immune stem cells

Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is the transplantation of multipotent hematopoietic stem cells, usually derived from bone marrow, peripheral blood, or umbilical cord blood, in order to replicate inside a patient and produce additional normal blood cells. HSCT may be autologous, syngeneic, or allogeneic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graft-versus-host disease</span> Medical condition

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a syndrome, characterized by inflammation in different organs. GvHD is commonly associated with bone marrow transplants and stem cell transplants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acute lymphoblastic leukemia</span> Blood cancer characterised by overproduction of lymphoblasts

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a cancer of the lymphoid line of blood cells characterized by the development of large numbers of immature lymphocytes. Symptoms may include feeling tired, pale skin color, fever, easy bleeding or bruising, enlarged lymph nodes, or bone pain. As an acute leukemia, ALL progresses rapidly and is typically fatal within weeks or months if left untreated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myeloproliferative neoplasm</span> Overproduction of blood cells in the bone marrow

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of rare blood cancers in which excess red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets are produced in the bone marrow. Myelo refers to the bone marrow, proliferative describes the rapid growth of blood cells and neoplasm describes that growth as abnormal and uncontrolled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acute monocytic leukemia</span> Medical condition

Acute monocytic leukemia is a type of acute myeloid leukemia. In AML-M5 >80% of the leukemic cells are of monocytic lineage. This cancer is characterized by a dominance of monocytes in the bone marrow. There is an overproduction of monocytes that the body does not need in the periphery. These overproduced monocytes interfere with normal immune cell production which causes many health complications for the affected individual.

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a rare form of chronic leukemia that affects children, commonly those aged four and younger. The name JMML now encompasses all diagnoses formerly referred to as juvenile chronic myeloid leukemia (JCML), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia of infancy, and infantile monosomy 7 syndrome. The average age of patients at diagnosis is two (2) years old. The World Health Organization has included JMML as a subcategory of myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative disorders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia</span> Medical condition

B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, referred to as B-PLL, is a rare blood cancer. It is a more aggressive, but still treatable, form of leukemia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nehanda Abiodun</span> African American hip hop activist (1950–2019)

Nehanda Isoke Abiodun was an African American hip hop activist, black revolutionary, and fugitive who was living in Cuba. Abiodun was wanted by the FBI in connection of the 1981 robbery of a Brink's truck that resulted in the killing of a Brink's guard and two New York police officers. The United States federal government also charged Abiodun in connection with Assata Shakur's escape from prison, along with Susan Rosenberg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia</span> Blood marrow cancer originating in megakaryoblast cells

Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) is life-threatening leukemia in which malignant megakaryoblasts proliferate abnormally and injure various tissues. Megakaryoblasts are the most immature precursor cells in a platelet-forming lineage; they mature to promegakaryocytes and, ultimately, megakaryocytes which cells shed membrane-enclosed particles, i.e. platelets, into the circulation. Platelets are critical for the normal clotting of blood. While malignant megakaryoblasts usually are the predominant proliferating and tissue-damaging cells, their similarly malignant descendants, promegakaryocytes and megakaryocytes, are variable contributors to the malignancy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NYU Langone Health</span> Hospital in New York, United States

NYU Langone Health is an academic medical center located in New York City, New York, United States. The health system consists of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, both part of New York University (NYU), and more than 300 locations throughout the New York City Region and Florida, including six inpatient facilities: Tisch Hospital; Kimmel Pavilion; NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital; Hassenfeld Children's Hospital; NYU Langone Hospital – Brooklyn; and NYU Langone Hospital – Long Island. It is also home to Rusk Rehabilitation. NYU Langone Health is one of the largest healthcare systems in the Northeast, with more than 49,000 employees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gift of Life Marrow Registry</span> Public blood stem cell and bone marrow registry

The Gift of Life Marrow Registry is a non-profit organization founded in 1991 and headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida that operates a public blood stem cell and bone marrow registry while facilitating transplants for children and adults battling life-threatening illnesses, including leukemia, lymphoma, other cancers and genetic diseases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Childhood leukemia</span> Medical condition

Childhood leukemia is leukemia that occurs in a child and is a type of childhood cancer. Childhood leukemia is the most common childhood cancer, accounting for 29% of cancers in children aged 0–14 in 2018. There are multiple forms of leukemia that occur in children, the most common being acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) followed by acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Survival rates vary depending on the type of leukemia, but may be as high as 90% in ALL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shannon Tavarez</span> American actress (1999–2010)

Shannon Skye Tavarez was an American child actress and singer. She played young Nala in the Broadway theatre production of The Lion King by Walt Disney Theatrical.

Mandi Jocelyn Schwartz was a Canadian ice hockey player with the Yale Bulldogs. She was a three time Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Hockey All-Academic, and played 73 consecutive games with the team before being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in December 2008. Prior to joining Yale University, Schwartz had played minor hockey for Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Saskatchewan. Her younger brother, Jaden currently plays for the Seattle Kraken in the National Hockey League.

Stephanie J. Lee is an American haematologist and physician scientist who is professor and associate director at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Lee works to improve the lives of blood stem cell transplant and bone marrow patients by better understanding the chronic form of graft-versus-host disease. Lee is the former president of the American Society of Hematology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beverly Torok-Storb</span> American physician and academic (1948–2023)

Beverly Jo Torok-Storb was an American physician who was Professor of Clinical Research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Her work considered the stem cells that generate blood and the microenvironment of bone marrow.

References

  1. ↑ Vicente, Giulianna (31 July 2022). "Finding and Standing Up For Yourself with Walela Nehanda: Disability Pride (Month) Spotlight". OutWrite. Archived from the original on 2023-05-25. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  2. 1 2 3 "2020 Out100". Out. Archived from the original on 2023-05-25. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  3. ↑ "2022 Fellows". Zoeglossia. 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-05-25. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  4. ↑ "I Wanna Talk About the White Women Now". Zoeglossia. 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  5. ↑ "Rights Report: Week of October 10, 2022". Publishers Weekly. 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  6. 1 2 "lutte collective is a space for disabled and chronically ill artists". lutte collective. Archived from the original on 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  7. 1 2 3 "Meet King", InStyle, 2 February 2016, archived from the original on 2023-05-27, retrieved 2023-02-11
  8. ↑ "Strangers Get Undressed and Talk About Their Skin", Jubilee, 23 September 2018, archived from the original on 2023-05-27, retrieved 2023-02-11
  9. 1 2 Pressigny, Clementine (2017). "the powerful young poet harnessing words for a revolution". VICE. Archived from the original on 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  10. ↑ A. Swift, Jaimee (5 December 2019). "A Warrior Rises: The Self-Determination of Walela Nehanda". Black Women Radicals. Archived from the original on 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  11. ↑ Wolff, Alyssa (2020). "Walela Nehanda on Finding Their Voice". SQSP. Archived from the original on 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  12. ↑ "Live", National Poetry Slam, 23 April 2016, archived from the original on 2023-05-27, retrieved 2023-02-11
  13. ↑ "Suicide", All Def Poetry x Da Poetry Lounge, 24 August 2015, archived from the original on 2023-05-27, retrieved 2023-02-11
  14. ↑ Levin, Sam (2019-03-20). "LAPD officers get rare official rebuke for killing man in mall". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  15. ↑ "Walela Nehanda, Poet and Organizer, releases EP on Radicalism, Self-Defense and Self Determination". Black Voice News. 2019-03-29. Archived from the original on 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  16. ↑ "Walela Nehanda on Poetry, Reactionary Individualism & Love". Unbound. Archived from the original on 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  17. ↑ Diavolo, Lucy (2020-03-16). "People Are Helping Each Other Fight Coronavirus". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  18. 1 2 "If You Refuse to Social Distance for Your Own Health, Please Do It for Mine". SELF. 2020-05-19. Archived from the original on 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  19. ↑ "African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council Host Spoken Word Contest During Great American Smokeout 2018".
  20. 1 2 Crumpton, Taylor (2019). "What It's Like To Be A Fat Black Queer Femme—With Cancer". Nylon. Archived from the original on 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  21. ↑ Padilla, Anthony (22 April 2020), "I spent a day with high risk immunocompromised individuals", The Anthony Padilla Show, archived from the original on 2023-05-27, retrieved 2023-02-11
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