Sojourner

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Photo credit, fair use

The Activist

Describing the above photo, one source states:

This carte de visite depicts Sojourner Truth. The photograph on her lap is of her grandson, James Caldwell of Co. H, 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Born into slavery in 1799 as Isabella Baumfree on a New York estate, Truth was subjected to the violence and deprivations of enslavement, including separation from the person she loved and a forced marriage.

She liberated herself in 1827. She became an itinerant preacher and nationally known as one of the most powerful advocates for abolition and women’s suffrage.  She changed her name to Sojourner Truth in 1843.

Expanding upon the description of Sojourner’s life, a separate source states:

She gave herself the name Sojourner Truth in 1843 after she became convinced that God had called her to leave the city and go into the countryside “testifying to the hope that was in her.” Her best-known speech was delivered extemporaneously, in 1851, at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio.

The speech became widely known during the Civil War by the title “Ain’t I a Woman?”, a variation of the original speech that was published in 1863 as being spoken in a stereotypical black dialect, then more commonly spoken in the South. Sojourner Truth, however, grew up speaking Dutch as her first language.

In childhood, I was taught Sojourner’s story and thought little about it. Despite the fact that my ancestors were brought to the Americas in association with chattel slavery (as slaves and not enslavers), the activist’s tale nonetheless wasn’t something I found inspiring.

My attitude toward Sojourner was grounded on three matters of principle. First, I was raised under the doctrine of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and I valued John 14:6 that says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

At that time, I reasoned that since Jesus was considered to be “the truth,” any human declaring oneself as “Truth” behaved blasphemously (irreverent toward something considered sacred or inviolable). If Baumfree was renamed “Sojourner,” I’d honor this designation and not “Truth.”

Second, as I later transitioned to the doctrine of the Church of Christ in adolescence, I valued 1 Corinthians 14:34 that says, “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says,” as a female preacher wasn’t permissible.

While I understand that theologians, people who claim allegiance to the Judeo-Christian doctrine, and others tie themselves into proverbial knots when attempting to rationalize why that verse no longer applies, I valued doctrinal conservatism. It was odd to me that others didn’t.

Finally, I was opposed to feminism. In fact, I still reject this ideology and movement. Although I think some purposeful and meaningful measures stemmed from women’s suffrage, I view the utility of feminism as I do fire; sometimes it heats one’s food, sometimes it demolishes a house.

The Song

Produced by the legendary 9th Wonder for his collaborative album 9th Wonder Presents: Jamla Is the Squad II (2019), lyricists Rapsody and J. Cole were featured on the track “Sojourner” which was also present on Rapsody’s 2019 album Eve.

The track features a sample of Kendra Morris’ song “If You Didn’t Go” (2012). If you’re unfamiliar with Morris’ tune, perhaps you don’t know what you’re missing. Yet, I digress. On the chorus of “Sojourner”, J. Cole sings:

(If you didn’t go away)

Oh, I swam for miles, only to realize the current

Is fightin’ against me and I’m so tired, I’m floatin’ now

(If you didn’t go away)

Oh, from here on out, I’ve got to realize the power

Of learnin’ to let go, and just let God

Enjoy the ride

The chorus reflects an outlook I shared from my participation in religious faith. For instance, 1 Peter 5:6 & 7 state, “6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

A common phrase pertaining to this approach to life is “let go and let God.” Now, long since removed from religiosity, I still find value in the chorus of “Sojourner”. Rather than by religion, I liberate myself from self-disturbance with Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).

This is accomplished by two tools. First, REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate that when an undesirable Action occurs and one Believes an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s one’s unfavorable assumption and not the occurrence itself that causes an unpleasant Consequence.

In essence, people metaphorically enslave themselves with unhelpful attitudes. Addressing how individuals upset themselves in such a manner, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of unproductive assumptions in order to explore Effective new beliefs. It’s quite liberating!

Second, REBT uses the technique of unconditional acceptance (UA) to relieve suffering. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance, unconditional other-acceptance, and unconditional life-acceptance. Both the ABC model and UA are reflected in J. Cole’s chorus.

For instance, when metaphorically swimming for miles in a sea of impermanence and uncertainty (i.e., life), it is rather common for one to self-disturb about waves crashing against oneself. The current of life seems to fight you, no matter how hard you try to move forward.

When saying “I’ve got to realize the power of learnin’ to let go,” J. Cole uses a recommendatory should statement. It’s as though he helpfully concludes, “I should realize the power of learnin’ to let go of control and influence that I never had in the first place.” This is a lesson in UA.

Aside from his chorus submission, J. Cole delivered a solid first verse on “Sojourner”. While much of the verse is worthy of examination (in my opinion), I’ve chosen a specific portion about which I’ve heard other emcees lament. J. Cole states:

I know my thoughts are runnin’ wild

Bear with my style, this just a trial run

Just heard these kids don’t know ‘bout Malcolm

And I’m sort of heartbroken, ‘cause the elders lost hope in our youth

And here I sit dead in the middle, not a little boy no more

But not quite old yet, wakin’ up in cold sweats

Scared that I’m too disconnected from the kids’ perspective

The world ain’t got no patience for some shit that’s introspective

So where in the fuck that leave me? Irrelevant, I guess

Went from Heaven-sent to hella bent, intelligent but stressed, damn

There’s a common theme among aging rappers and lyricists, relating to relevancy and what’s required in order to remain compatible with the ever-evolving subculture of hip hop. In the referenced verse from J. Cole, the lyricist uses a Belief-Consequence connection relating to fear.

J. Cole’s “thoughts are runnin’ wild” about being “too disconnected from the kids’ perspective” (Action). Presumably, the lyricist unhelpfully Believes something along the lines of, “I shouldn’t become irrelevant, because that would be awful!” Then, he becomes scared (Consequence).

Here, it’s not the Act of J. Cole thinking about the future that causes a Consequence, forming an Action-Consequence connection. Rather, use of unhelpful Beliefs about this matter is what results in J. Cole’s professed fear (Consequence). Perhaps a helpful UA narrative is in order.

Imagine that the lyricist instead told himself, “Although I prefer to remain relevant, there’s no guarantee in life of this sort. Therefore, I can – without unfavorable beliefs of the conditional variety – accept that all things shall inevitably pass, to include relevancy and fame.”

I suspect that use of the ABC model and UA in this regard could help J. Cole transition to distress from disturbance. That is to say, the lyricist could simply be disappointed rather than afraid. This is a more healthy, as well as logical and reasonable, approach to the matter.

Shifting to Rapsody’s contribution on “Sojourner”, it’s worth stating that this is one of my current top 10 (lifelong) lyricists. Aside from her style, lyrical content, and delivery, Rapsody and I share a common element of our past. According to one source, the lyricist has stated:

I’m more spiritual than religious. So I just practice spirituality, and my relationship with God is my own. But there’s so much from growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness that I learned and I’m grateful that I had that foundation.

I think it was a beautiful foundation for me, of what’s important in life. And the things that are of man is really not God’s work or worry. That’s why the idea of fame and fortune don’t really move me like that, because it’s so much deeper than those.

When liberating myself from dogmatic religious doctrines, I identified as “more spiritual than religious,” as well. I then foolishly chose to identify as atheist. Eventually, I realized that an agnostic perspective is more rational (in accordance with both logic and reason).

For those who know nothing about in-group affiliation regarding the Jehovah’s Witnesses, I can understand their ignorance about how interwoven religiosity is to those of us who grew up under such rigid doctrine. All the same, I appreciate that Rapsody states on the hook of “Sojourner”:

One more time

Swim good, enjoy the ride (Yeah)

Every day I rise, thank God that I am alive (Yeah)

Yeah, swim good, enjoy the ride (Yeah)

Every day I rise, thank God that I am alive (Uh)

Perceivably, Rapsody didn’t self-disturb when shedding shackles of her former religious beliefs. Through her personal liberation, the lyricist maintained a connection with Jehovah. I respect that. In any case, it was hard for me to select which lines of Rapsody’s verse I’d include herein, yet here they are:

[rapped without a beat]

I had to show the positives for those that couldn’t add

Lookin’ at the ads, they only love us if our ass out

And so I’m out, I got an Audi and it’s bad

I said that line, ‘cause niggas only respect you if you brag

It don’t work on me the same, don’t give a fuck ‘bout what you have

Everybody claimin’ boss, none of you niggas got no staff

It don’t measure up the same, what’s a quarter to a half?

Of a whole lot of problems, nigga, who taught you to add?

Where I’m from, we don’t recognize that it’s good math

[rapped after the beat kicks in]

If you don’t teach the ones that’s comin’ up to multiply their cash

Think for themselves, think beyond sales

Everything with worth don’t come with some whistles and some bells

It was quite difficult for me to narrow down which of Rapsody’s lines I’d feature herein. I have such respect for this lyricist that I wanted to share every syllable she uttered on “Sojourner”. Still, I selected the aforementioned lines for a reason that isn’t related to the ABC model or UA.

Rather, I appreciate that Rapsody addresses the significance of helping others to succeed. This is similar to my approach when providing psychoeducational lessons on REBT, though with one minor modification. My goal is to try to help people, not necessarily that I must help others.

After all, since having informally functioned as a life coach since 1991 and as a psychotherapist since 2011, I’ve discovered that some people – even when seeking assistance – don’t actually want to be helped. They merely benefit from the appearance of seeking help.

I like that Rapsody’s lines serve as a reminder to me about the importance of at least trying to help others. Besides, similar to the lyricist, I’m not motivated by money or material items. That shit doesn’t impress me. Thus, what matters to me is trying to teach others to “think for themselves.”

This is precisely my approach when practicing REBT in my personal and professional life. In fact, that’s the objective of my blog. If all I need to do in order to achieve success is to try; then I’ve already succeeded. Oh and, “Jamla [is] the squad!”

Conclusion

In childhood, I was taught Sojourner’s story and thought little about it. Nonetheless, I recognize her contribution to freedom (liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another). Therefore, I appreciate the tales of Sojourner and those like her who fought against oppression.

Likewise, I’m thankful for the contribution of J. Cole and Rapsody to the track “Sojourner”. Aside from providing me with content for psychoeducational lessons pertaining to REBT, the song reminds me of my aim as a professional REBT practitioner: to try to help other people.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

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