Healing Out Loud: Why Young Black Creatives Need Access to Recovery | Asiyah Martin | TEDxTWU

Key Concepts

• Creativity and suffering are not inherently linked.
• Breaking the contract with suffering is possible.
• Substance abuse treatment and recovery.
• The importance of representation in recovery.
• Reconnecting with artistic passions during and after recovery.
• Boundaries and balance for creatives.
• Creating for the sake of joy.
• Curiosity and finding joy even on hard days.
• Destigmatizing substance abuse treatment in the Black community.

Personal Journey and Breaking the Contract with Suffering

Asiah Martin, a dance graduate and video production artist, shares her personal journey of struggling with alcohol dependency. On her 28th birthday, she realized she had to "break her contract with suffering." This involved admitting her dependency and seeking help. She highlights Elizabeth Gilbert's statement that creativity and suffering are not inherently linked, challenging the notion that artists must suffer to create.

Substance Abuse Treatment Experience

Asiah attended substance abuse treatment twice. The first time was funded by her family, and the second time she received a scholarship from the center owner who believed in her readiness. She notes the lack of representation in treatment centers, specifically the limited number of African-American women and sponsors. She longed for someone who looked like her to show her that healing was possible. The program required working the 12 steps, and while there were many sponsors, she didn't meet any African-American sponsors.

Reconnecting with Art During Recovery

While in treatment, Asiah was applying for her MFA in dance at Texas Women's University. She had to submit a dance video and, lacking a dance studio, filmed herself dancing on a concrete basketball court. Although treatment helped her get sober, she missed creating and moving. Music therapy was available, but there were no opportunities to actively create or reconnect with her artistic identity.

Returning to School and Embracing the "Freshman" Mentality

Asiah returned to Texas Women's University at 28, living in a freshman dorm room with 18 and 19-year-olds. She emphasizes the importance of being willing to "become a freshman again," which might mean moving back in with parents or leaving a high-paying job to protect mental health. She encourages others to confidently take steps back to move forward.

Boundaries, Balance, and Creating for Joy

Asiah stresses the importance of boundaries and balance for creatives. She shares that she didn't overcommit or overrehearse during her MFA program. Her 14-minute dance, created for her MFA culminating project, was selected to represent Texas Women's University at the American College Dance Association festival. She emphasizes that they laughed through every rehearsal, giving permission to create for the sake of joy and see what rewards might come from it.

Curiosity and Finding Joy in Hard Times

Even on difficult days, Asiah encourages curiosity about what life has to offer. She found built-in joy and relief waiting for her even when she didn't want to get out of bed.

The Need for Representation and Destigmatization

Asiah calls for more representation of young African-American women and men in recovery. She believes there is a need for more content about treatment, pre-sobriety, and post-sobriety experiences to help people of color feel less alone. She plans to continue conversations that destigmatize substance abuse treatment in the Black community.

Future Goals: A Treatment Center for Artists

Asiah's long-term goal is to open a treatment center focused on rehabilitating young adult artists, helping them heal from substance abuse and reconnect with their artistic passions and purposes. Until then, she will continue dancing down every avenue of her creative, sober life.

Conclusion

Asiah Martin's speech is a powerful testament to the possibility of breaking free from the cycle of suffering and addiction, particularly for creatives. She emphasizes the importance of seeking help, finding representation, setting boundaries, and reconnecting with joy and artistic passion during and after recovery. Her call for destigmatization and increased representation in substance abuse treatment highlights the need for culturally sensitive and supportive resources for the Black community and young artists.