Part 2: Lewa Ubunifu’s Background
Lewa Ubunifu’s life has been one of resilience, survival, and immense creativity. Born on September 15, 1982, and embodying the Virgo traits of being thoughtful, methodical, and compassionate, Lewa’s journey is a testament to the power of transformation. Her life story is woven from a rich blend of cultural heritage—Blackfoot, African, and Creole—which has profoundly shaped her identity and her art. Yet, the same heritage that gave her strength was also a source of internal conflict as she navigated the complexities of race and gender in America. Growing up as a Black woman in a society marked by systemic racism and marginalization left Lewa with deep emotional scars, but it also sparked a creativity in her that allowed her to turn pain into beauty.
Born into a turbulent family dynamic, Lewa’s childhood was marked by love and hardship. Her parents, though loving in their own ways, carried their own traumas, passing down generational pain that Lewa was left to navigate. This emotional inheritance weighed heavily on her, shaping much of her early life. Lewa often felt out of place, not just in society but also within her own family. As she writes in her book Caged and Locked, the complexities of her family’s history combined with the harsh realities of living in a racially divided society made her feel disconnected. The emotional turmoil she experienced at home, coupled with the racial discrimination she faced outside, left her feeling like an outsider.
From a young age, Lewa turned to creative outlets to process her emotions. Writing became her first refuge, a place where she could express her thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. In secret notebooks, she scribbled down stories, reflections, and dreams—early expressions of the voice that would later captivate readers around the world. Her writings were raw and honest, reflecting the confusion, pain, and longing she felt as a young girl trying to make sense of the world around her. As she grew older, her writing matured, but it always retained that core of vulnerability and truth.
Lewa’s creativity extended beyond writing. She had an innate passion for exploring multiple forms of artistic expression, including painting and multimedia work. Throughout her teens and early adulthood, she began experimenting with different art forms, using painting to express emotions that words couldn’t capture. Lewa found that visual art allowed her to explore the complexities of identity, race, and trauma in ways that complemented her writing. Through performance art, she discovered new ways to express the themes that had always been central to her—resilience, survival, and the tension between independence and connection.
By the time she entered adulthood, Lewa had started to find her voice not just as an artist but also as an activist. She recognized that her personal struggles were shared by many people of color, especially women, who had been silenced or marginalized by society. Lewa’s art, writing, and activism became intertwined, with each platform serving as a means of advocating for change and speaking out against injustice. She quickly gained a reputation as a bold, fearless voice in the creative community, one who wasn’t afraid to tackle the most challenging and painful subjects.
But despite her growing success, Lewa’s journey was far from easy. There were many moments when she questioned whether she had the strength to continue, moments when the weight of her past felt too heavy to bear. The title of her book Caged and Locked reflects this internal struggle. At times, Lewa felt trapped by societal expectations and the emotional barriers she had built to protect herself. These barriers often kept her from experiencing the love and connection she craved, and for much of her life, she searched for a sense of belonging—a place where she could be fully seen and understood.
It was this search for belonging that shaped her approach to relationships. Like Ethan, Lewa had built emotional walls to protect herself from the hurt she had experienced. Her experiences with trauma made her cautious about letting people into her heart, but she never lost her capacity for hope. Lewa believed in the possibility of true connection, even when it seemed out of reach. Her empathy for others, particularly those who had endured similar struggles, kept her heart open, even when it was wounded.
Outside of her artistic pursuits, Lewa found solace in nature. One of her favorite pastimes was camping, a hobby that allowed her to reconnect with the natural world and find peace away from the noise of the city. She often sought out quiet, remote spots where she could sit by the water, hike through the woods, or simply listen to the sounds of the forest. Nature was her refuge—a place where she could breathe deeply, think clearly, and let go of the pressures of everyday life.
Swimming was another activity that Lewa loved. Growing up near rivers and lakes, she found that being in the water brought her a sense of freedom. Swimming was a physical and emotional release, a way to wash away the stresses of her life and reconnect with her body. Whether it was in a natural body of water or a local pool, swimming became a form of self-care, a time when she could clear her mind and focus solely on the rhythmic motion of her strokes.
Lewa’s love for multimedia art also grew as she explored new ways to blend different forms of expression. She experimented with combining her writing, painting, and digital media, creating pieces that told stories through both visual and textual elements. This multimedia approach allowed her to engage audiences on multiple levels, appealing to both their emotions and their intellect. She found that by combining different forms of art, she could convey the complexity of her experiences in a way that felt holistic and true to her vision.
As Lewa’s reputation grew, so did her impact. Her memoir, Caged and Locked, resonated deeply with readers, many of whom saw their own experiences reflected in her words. The book was a raw, unflinching look at her life, touching on themes of survival, trauma, and the power of creativity. Lewa’s ability to articulate the complexities of pain, healing, and identity made her a voice for those who had long felt silenced. Caged and Locked became a beacon of hope for others, showing them that it was possible to emerge from the darkness and rebuild a life on their own terms.
In addition to Caged and Locked, Lewa’s other works—Surviving White People: A Journey of Resilience and Hope and Enye Thamani: A Tale of Resilience and Cultural Pride—explored different facets of her identity. Surviving White People delved into the realities of navigating a world shaped by racism and exclusion, while Enye Thamani was a fictional story rooted in West African traditions, exploring themes of cultural pride, resilience, and family. Both books further solidified her place as a powerful storyteller and advocate for change.
Beyond her writing and artistic work, Lewa was also a mentor to other creatives, particularly women of color. She believed in the power of storytelling as a tool for healing, not just for herself but for others. Through workshops, collaborations, and mentorship, she helped other artists find their voices, encouraging them to tell their stories and reclaim their narratives. Lewa’s impact on the creative community was profound—she wasn’t just an artist; she was a leader, a teacher, and a source of inspiration.
By the time she met Ethan, Lewa had come to terms with much of her past. She had learned to navigate the complexities of her identity, her trauma, and her art. But despite her success, she remained open to the possibility of love. When she and Ethan crossed paths, it was the beginning of a relationship grounded in shared understanding, creativity, and emotional depth. Their meeting wasn’t just a romantic connection—it was the union of two souls who had walked difficult paths yet still believed in the power of love and creativity to heal.
Together, they would embark on a journey of mutual discovery, one that allowed them to embrace both the light and the darkness within themselves and each other. Their bond would be a testament to their resilience—two people who had learned to transform pain into beauty, finding in each other the love and understanding they had long sought.
コメント