Columnist Marj Ostani on cultivating community and her debut book ‘Homecoming’
Growing up, I didn’t have access to spaces that allowed me to move through my own self-expression. It was a matter of time, getting myself out there and trying new things that I found mentors, teachers and cheerleaders who were the pillars of support in my career and creative endeavors. It’s incredibly important that we have these in our lives.
Through and through, my body of work has been carried and championed by community-driven organizations — from April Magazine which kicked off my editorial writing career, to YLWRNGR which has been a constant sponsor of my creative projects, and SPRHDRS which has granted me the opportunity of my own column.
Spaces like these matter for they have shown me possibilities, they have showered me with encouragement and they have walked with me through learnings and mistakes. It may seem arbitrary but these spaces and the people behind them are the culmination of reasons I have come to a place of writing, producing and self-publishing my own book.
How do I make my entire life a love letter to my family, friends, lovers, communities, strangers and everyone I meet in between? The heart of my debut chapbook lies here.
The cover of “Homecoming” by SPRHDRS columnist Marj Ostani. (Image courtesy of Marj Ostani)
"Homecoming" is a collection of poetry that centers around my life’s work as an artist in my mid-20s — a highlight of our collective love stories I’ve witnessed, experienced and gathered through the years. This book remains proof that the kind of world where I live is where I and we are beyond possibilities. And in this world, I will keep centering myself and my people. I want all our stories to last forever.
Our notion of what a loving and safe community is ever evolving. Many of us are still looking for authentic ways to feel connected and nurture bonds that are supportive.
And while society may continue to fail on teaching us the magic and wonders of what collective camaraderie looks like with the over-reliance and romanticization of being independent, the good news is that we’re almost in the clear, and there are always people willing to help and be on your team. Often, that's all we need to do — reach out, find your homes, and tell your stories because words can only help us if we speak them. It will take a village to get you there, but trust me on this, you will. Look, I am here.
As a child, I didn’t even see myself represented in mainstream media and it was this drive to change for future generations that motivates me to keep writing, in whatever manner or form. I am fortunate enough to have cultivated wonderful connections with those around me, those who also share the same desire of wanting better for us all.
As a queer woman of color living in a developing country, it’s important that we document, archive and tell our own narratives. As a writer, I’ve written and told mine in different forms — this time in poetry. I want to show that our stories don’t need to always start with being saved. I want to show that we are more than our survival and resilience.
"Homecoming" follows moments of kind encounters, scenes of human connection and raw conversations, across different locations and time zones. Something about immortalizing people, places, and times that were instant, quiet, vulnerable, funny warm and safe because that’s the space I aim to build and nurture for the future.
For all we know, maybe in togetherness, we’ll find our collective liberation. "Homecoming" after all is the hope of finding ourselves represented, supported, and celebrated. It might not conquer all challenges we will go through, but isn’t here a good place to start?
