Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club – INTERVIEW: Anita Kopacz Reveals Her 2nd Book, Connection To The Ancestors + More
Release Date: January 22, 2025
Introduction of Anita Kopacz and Her New Book
In the early moments of the episode ([02:24]), DJ Envy and Charlamagne tha God warmly welcome Anita Kopacz to The Breakfast Club, highlighting her latest work, The Wind on Her Tongue. This novel marks the second installment in her acclaimed Daughter of Three Waters trilogy.
Overview of The Wind on Her Tongue
Anita provides an insightful overview of her new book ([02:54]), explaining:
“The Wind on Her Tongue is about Oya, who is the daughter of Yemeya, whom our first novel, Shallow Waters, centers around. Oya is the goddess of the wind and storms, among many other things. Mainstream audiences might recognize her as Storm from X-Men, who is fashioned after Oya. She possesses the ability to change the weather and bring about transformation.”
Anita connects the release of her book to the transformative energy of the year nine in 2025, emphasizing themes of change and movement ([04:12]):
“This year is a number nine year. Which is change number. The end. This is a time of transformation, and it aligns perfectly with Oya’s energy.”
Folklore and Family Conversations in Black Communities
The conversation shifts to the challenges of discussing folklore within black families ([04:12]). Charlamagne tha God mentions:
"In black communities, we're not really allowed to talk about these, like, folklore that other communities and ethnicities can freely discuss."
Anita passionately responds ([04:42]):
“We've been told we can't learn about our history, our gods, and our stories. Who said it's demonic? It's us—who we are. Even if you're not practicing the religion, knowing our history is essential. More people are waking up because it's in us. At some point, some of us will remember and write it down, inspiring others.”
Anita’s Journey Into Writing and Connection to African Ancestry
DJ Envy delves into Anita’s motivations for exploring these themes ([06:36]):
“I felt like Oya was diving into me because I was curious… Yemeya watched over our ancestors as they came over on the slave ships. I felt so connected… I decided to write the book.”
Anita discusses discovering her Yoruba and Hausa ancestry through African ancestry services, reinforcing her intrinsic connection to Oya ([08:31]):
“I discovered my ancestry is Yoruba and Hausa. It was because it's in me.”
Parallels Between Oya and Elphaba from Wicked
Charlamagne tha God brings up Anita’s article in People magazine comparing Elphaba from Wicked to Oya ([08:33]):
“When I watched Wicked and saw Elphaba’s character, I realized she embodies Oya’s essence—powerful, misunderstood, and transformative.”
Anita reveals a fascinating connection ([10:06]):
“Elphaba is fashioned after Matilda Jocelyn Gage, who I portray as Tilly in my book. She was a suffragette, fought for black and indigenous rights, and was the first self-made millionaire woman before Madam C.J. Walker. I had no idea until after writing the article.”
The 16 Truths of Ifa
DJ Envy inquires about the 16 truths of Ifa ([10:40]). Anita explains ([10:44]):
“One of the most important truths is ‘know thyself.’ The Orishas represent different natural forces, and before understanding which Orisha guides you, you must connect deeply with yourself and your ancestors.”
Discovering Writing Despite Dyslexia
The conversation turns personal as DJ Envy asks about Anita’s path to writing ([12:00]). Anita shares her struggle with dyslexia and how a mandatory freshman English class ignited her passion for storytelling ([12:03], [12:50]):
“I was a math and science nerd at UC Berkeley. I didn’t think I could be a writer because I’m dyslexic. But in senior year, I took a freshman English class to graduate and fell in love with storytelling.”
She highlights the evolving literary landscape that now accommodates different ways of writing, allowing her to pursue her passion despite challenges.
Oya: Protector of Women Who Have Lost Children
Charlamagne Tha God brings up Anita’s dedication to Oya as a guardian for women who have experienced miscarriages and stillbirths ([14:29]). Anita elaborates ([14:52]):
“Oya helps with healing. She is the goddess of transformation, moving things so that healing can occur. During my ayahuasca and San Pedro ceremonies, my ancestors conveyed that many are dealing with child loss, and Oya aids in the healing process.”
She emphasizes the profound impact of acknowledging and healing from such traumas ([16:47]):
“If we hide our pain, it just grows. Oya helps us let go and heal.”
Black Woman Trope and Duality of Oya
Anita addresses the stereotype of the "angry black woman" and clarifies Oya’s true nature ([22:23]):
“Oya is not angry; she is powerful. People misinterpret her strength as anger because they can’t handle it.”
She draws parallels between hurricanes' destructive and unifying forces, highlighting how communities come together to rebuild after storms ([18:57]).
Anita’s Second Book and Future Projects
Charlamagne Tha God discusses the trilogy format of Anita’s work ([28:12]). Anita explains the title Daughter of Three Waters as a representation of Yemeya, Oshun, and herself ([29:02]):
“In Cuba, you typically have two Orishas on your head—a male and a female. I added Oya as the third, making it the Daughter of Three Waters.”
She hints at the third book’s focus on Oshun but keeps specific details under wraps ([29:06]).
Personal Insights: Dedications and Family Life
The hosts inquire about Anita’s dedications and personal life ([29:30]). Anita reflects on her introverted childhood and her evolving parenting style ([29:30]-[31:56]):
“I was very introverted as a child, always in my own magical world. With my children, I’m more like one of them. My daughter Sadie is into film, Tila is into singing and is writing songs for Shallow Waters: The Musical, and my son Mayan is into math and science. They embody different parts of me.”
Reclaiming Voodoo and African Spirituality
Anita discusses the demonization of African spirituality during slavery and its survival through integration with Catholicism ([32:18]):
“During slavery, Africans were forced to abandon their religions and languages. They demonized our spirituality, but it survived by integrating with Catholicism. For example, Yemeya is behind certain Catholic saints’ representations.”
She emphasizes the resilience and adaptation of African spiritual practices ([32:38]):
“What you resist persists. These spiritual practices survived because they adapted and continued despite persecution.”
Closing Remarks
Anita expresses profound gratitude for her publishing journey and the support from the hosts ([34:12]):
“I feel so grateful that you recognize the work and the stories that needed to be told. Deep, deep gratitude.”
The conversation concludes with promotions for Anita’s book launch event at Greenlight Bookstores in Brooklyn and her upcoming retreats focused on spiritual healing ([34:46]-[35:33]).
Notable Quotes
- Anita Kopacz ([04:42]): "White people… it's us. Who we are."
- Anita Kopacz ([10:06]): "Matilda Jocelyn Gage… she was fighting... a suffragette... the first self-made millionaire woman."
- Anita Kopacz ([22:23]): "Oya is not angry. She is just powerful."
- Anita Kopacz ([32:38]): "It switched all during slavery… they needed to keep us away from our religions… they demonized it…"
Conclusion
Anita Kopacz’s interview on The Breakfast Club offers a profound exploration of her literary work intertwined with deep cultural and spiritual insights. Her discussions on African ancestry, the reclamation of folklore, and the embodiment of powerful female deities like Oya provide listeners with a rich understanding of her creative and personal journey. Anita’s dedication to expanding the narrative of black folklore and spirituality underscores the importance of storytelling in healing and empowerment.