What happens when you step into a space designed for deep exploration, radical questioning, and strategic resistance?
For one first-time Inquirer, our latest Symphony ’77 Inquiry Circle: Where Curiosity Meets Connection was more than just a discussion—it was a revelation.
On Friday, March 7, 2025, we tackled a pressing question: How do we navigate and resist Private Equity State Capitalism (PESC)? The session explored how Black historical strategies—truth-telling, spiritual resilience, and community organizing—serve as blueprints for thriving beyond oppression.
Our first-time Inquirer brought sharp insights and a refreshing perspective to the discussion. Here’s what they had to say.
The Role of Truth-Telling
In today’s media landscape, misinformation is everywhere. But our Inquirer made a key distinction: Misinformation isn’t just about confusion—it’s about control. Unlike general chaos, disinformation is a deliberate tool to manipulate public perception and undermine truth.
“I think misinformation, disinformation, or absolute lies is a different manipulation than confusion and outrage… There’s something between confusion, outrage, burnout, and weaponized hopelessness.”
Their insight reminded us that naming the game is part of playing it—if we can see the tactics, we can disrupt their impact.
Psychological Sovereignty: Taking Back Your Mind
One of our Inquirer’s most powerful contributions was about media consumption. Many of us feel constantly bombarded by bad news, outrage cycles, and anxiety-inducing updates. Their solution? Take control.
“I’ve pulled away from almost all the news. I used to watch MSNBC all day, but now I only listen to Rachel Maddow because she presents it analytically rather than hair-on-fire outrage.”
Media discernment is key to reclaiming our mental and emotional agency. We don’t have to disengage but must curate our intake wisely.
Faith & Spirituality as Resistance
Black survival has always been anchored in something deeper than material struggle—faith, spirituality, and collective belief in something greater.
Our Inquirer reminded us that for many, spiritual grounding is a form of emotional sovereignty in the face of oppression:
“One of the reasons we as Black people get through what we get through is because, for many of us, there’s a strong personal faith or cultural attachment that says, ‘God’s in charge’—and that’s how we endure.”
A crucial takeaway is that resistance isn’t just external—it’s also internal, emotional, and spiritual.
The Power of Framing: What Are We Really Dismantling?
We discussed dismantling systems at one point, but our Inquirer pushed for clarity: Are we dismantling all systems—or just the oppressive ones?
“Maybe you should say ‘dismantling oppressive systems and opening systems of opportunity’—because we do need systems, just not ones designed for oppression.”
A small but powerful reframing changes everything. We’re not just tearing things down—we’re building something new.
Final Thoughts: The Power of Showing Up
As our session was closing, our Inquirer shared how much they enjoyed the experience:
“This was my first Inquiry Circle, and I really, really enjoyed it. I thank you for putting all that energy into organizing your thoughts.”
That’s what the Symphony ’77 Inquiry Circle is all about—a space for thinking, learning, and strategizing together. Whether it’s your first time or your tenth, there’s always room to expand the conversation.
Want to join us next time? We’ll be back on April 4 to discuss The New American Dream. You don’t want to miss it!