Solange Knowles Reflects On The Year That Changed Everything

Solange Knowles is looking back on a year where a global pandemic and racism against Black Americans dominated the headlines.

The singer penned a series of powerful personal essays and poems for the latest digital issue of Harper’s Bazaar.

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“Joy was the sleep I got after releasing secrets from my bones. Joy was telling the truth. Joy was making a song that I didn’t care ever saw the light of day. Joy was taking a trip alone, and just sitting and staring at the water and seeing my reflection and thinking to myself, ‘Damn I’m fine.’ Joy was having nothing on my calendar, and choosing what to do with my time. Joy was having a friend who didn’t care how ugly I cried, always inviting and encouraging me to just be, however that looked that day. Joy was discovery.” At the link in our bio, read #SolangeKnowles’ reflections on stillness, joy, and the year that changed everything for our fall digital cover story. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Photographer: @naimagreen ⁣⁣ Hair: @kendalldorsey1⁣⁣ Makeup: @mmiiggss⁣ Entertainment Director: @whatisnojan⁣ Fashion Features Director: @kerrypieri⁣ Fashion Editor: @kiadesireegoosby⁣ Accessories Director: @kathyglee⁣ Accessories Editor: @andzencue Set Design: @tfer21 ⁣⁣ Shoot Assistant: @saintcurt⁣⁣ Stylist Assistant: @juliocesardelgato⁣⁣ Special Thanks: @homeunion⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Solange (@saintrecords) wears @telfarglobal boots and @sophiebuhai jewelry

A post shared by Harper's BAZAAR (@harpersbazaarus) on Oct 13, 2020 at 8:02am PDT

In her writing, Knowles recalls the moment that “we all had to confront stillness” due to the onset of COVID-19.

She said, “Some days I am on top of mountains. Some days I am weary. Some days I smile and laugh in ways I didn’t know I could. Sometimes I grieve all of the loss, looking for pillars or anchors to hold on to. Some days I see so much promise in my future despite the chaos around me because I woke up a Black woman with this spirit in my heart.”

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“Some days I am on top of mountains. Some days I am weary. Some days I smile and laugh in ways I didn’t know I could. Sometimes I grieve all of the loss, looking for pillars or anchors to hold on to. Some days I see so much promise in my future despite the chaos around me because I woke up a Black woman with this spirit in my heart. If I move, I am not running. If I move, it is by choice. I feel good knowing that I surrendered and found answers in my stillness.” At the link in our bio, read #SolangeKnowles’ reflections on stillness, joy, and the year that changed everything for our fall digital cover story. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Photographer: @naimagreen ⁣⁣ Hair: @kendalldorsey1⁣⁣ Makeup: @mmiiggss ⁣⁣ ⁣Entertainment Director: @whatisnojan⁣ Fashion Features Director: @kerrypieri⁣ Fashion Editor: @kiadesireegoosby⁣ Accessories Director: @kathyglee⁣ Set Design: @tfer21 ⁣⁣ Shoot Assistant: @saintcurt⁣⁣ Stylist Assistant: @juliocesardelgato⁣⁣ Special Thanks: @homeunion⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Solange (@saintrecords) wears @charlotteknowleslondon, @telfarglobal, @coperni, @sophiebuhai, @area, @brothervellies, @phlemuns, @barragan, and @christopherkane

A post shared by Harper's BAZAAR (@harpersbazaarus) on Oct 13, 2020 at 7:37am PDT

The younger sister of Beyonce added, “If I move, I am not running. If I move, it is by choice. I feel good knowing that I surrendered and found answers in my stillness.”

The piece features clothing from all-independent, majority-BIPOC designers handpicked by Knowles, as well as images taken by her friend and collaborator Naima Green.