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Sapphire Story: Estelle tells the world "Black is the True Light" her song in her heart
Most of Estelle’s inspiration came from her many visits to South Africa. There was such great energy amongst the South African people of color. A strong desire and resilience to survive, and a hope that did not come for many under some of the most degrading of circumstances. They found strength in each other and continued to live one day at a time.
The trauma she still remembered from a child affected her mind significantly which led her to seek professional help. During several visits she was advised that she was likened to an individual that identified strongly with the pain and hardship an entire nation experienced for generations as a whole. She began to take on a global project of healing the land. The racial tension was high and it was difficult for a white man, especially a female to survive in Africa, but she proclaimed unity and signed her own release, separation, and her coming out of a white supremacist way of thinking and behavior.
In South Africa prejudice and hostility were vividly portrayed on both ends of the spectrum. Although oppressed by the oppressors, Afro Americans had no regard for Caucasians. Neither of the two had peace and safety between each other. It was not long before Estelle would experience the resentment and non acceptance by Afro Americans because of the color of her skin. She was neither trusted or accepted. If only people could embrace and accept one another irregardless of their nationality or origin. Racism, after all the years and time spent in South Africa, was alive and well and people continued to hurt and feel the pangs of unbridled abuse in words as well as deeds. Estelle experienced a rebirth when she arrived in Oakland, CA in the year 2013. She felt so in touch with the diversity in the community and strong attachment to the Afro Americans. She made this her home and through the words and lyrics in her music she pours out grateful adoration of her sincere and deep love.
Guided by a ray of light bursting within her soul, she refused to be a bitter woman of hatred. Music birthed in her a desire for unity in the midst of division and music was also a call she desperately pursued and yearned to answer.
In life we are always in search for our individual identity or sense of belonging. Often-times it is not revealed until a tragic incident happens and we have an epiphany or awakening that magnifies our innermost spiritual being. Deep inside of the human species, people have an innate knowledge of what is right, and what is wrong. It is that knowledge that was fighting to emerge and fear was not a viable option.
This was the catalyst and turning point that she was determined to be a part of. A change had to come and she would do her part to contribute to the wholeness of America's Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, ”...One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”. Estelle went through a transformation in life just like a caterpillar that goes into a cocoon and transforms ultimately as a butterfly.
Sapphire Story: Estelle tells the world" Black is the True Light" her song in her heart.
ESTELLE
CALIFORNIA
www.estellecalifornia.com
Photo credit
Bill Reitzel