Why the sword?
My aunt Beatrice asked me an interesting question on Facebook… why do I have a sword and Mojlnir in my Grace and Courage shoot?
Very good question Aunty Bea!
Well… there’s a long form answer to that and here it is.
The truth is that I had other props, not just those 2. Books, I’m always with my books. Especially growing up. There’s a really cute picture of me as a baby. I was maybe 1ish. Walking in a green jumpsuit (forgive us Lord, it was the 90’s) with a book tucked under my arm. I’m small but I mean business.
The point of the grace and courage shoot was to bring a modern take on iconic outfits that have shaped me… the modern take is the sword and Moljnir.
Moljnir is the Hammer of the Norse God Thor. It links to my love of myths and legends. Love a bit of polytheism. I wanted to be an Egyptologist I love the legends so much.
It also conveniently links to my love of etymology. The Norse God Thor is how we get the word Thursday. It’s named after him. It’s Thor’s day. A day to commemorate the terrifying warrior God who controls the Thunder storms and can only pick up this hammer because he is worthy. I think it’s beautiful. Strength. Thor is the only God in any mythology that has had to prove his worth. He’s strong in a physically powerful way. The hammer represents overt power. I don’t have to swing it in each picture… and I don’t. I have a phrase… “don’t swing it around like it’s your dick” I.e don’t need overt power all the time. Swinging Thor’s hammer around the place doesn’t work all the time. There is a place and time.
Next there’s the sword… it is to represent Courage. My father embodied both Grace and Courage. He had courage to forge his own path, to lead, to love with his whole heart. He knew when to swing the metaphorical sword, but also when to hold his peace and give grace, which is why the pose of me with the sword on my knees are so important. The sword has golden roses on it. To represent dad. Yellow roses where his favourite. Also I love fantasy books where the great kings and gods hold their swords on their knees… always ready, but holding peace. It takes restraint, as well as grace, that restraint takes great strength… which is the hardest to achieve. The strength to appear or be serene. Serenity is a beautiful thing, it brings peace to the world around you. You should strive to bring serenity to your world. It takes strength by the way.
Next prop was going to be yellow roses…to remember my dad. He’s always with me. I now have to live by the light he left rather than by his side. He’s always in my heart and it’s my job to live in a way that honours him.
The point was to be myself, authentic… I underestimated the courage it took to say I am a black woman of west African heritage that loves Norse mythology and fantasy books akin to Game of Thrones… it’s hilarious that it’s a kind of thrill that must be akin to a gay person “coming out” to their family. My family expects me to be into struggling to pay bills, suffering and other such “acceptably black” pastimes. They now include nice meals and the occasional holiday. But not fantasy books, photoshoots and Moljnir. That’s a very “white” way of living…except it’s not. I’m black and I enjoy them. And my skin colour doesn’t get lighter for it. Which I love. It’s important that my family know I don’t read “mills and boon” or even African writers. I believe there will be a time and a place when I will enjoy African writers, or even African history. But that time is not yet and I am enjoying the person I am, not the person people think I am, or want me to be.
So there you have it. Why the sword? Because that’s who I am. I protect, I hunt, I am dangerous…but I also hold peace.
Do not disturb the Queen’s peace.
Grace and Courage.
Annetta Mother Smith.