Common has mastered being at peak performance as a Grammy-winning rapper, Oscar-winner and tireless activist. In his new book, And Then We Rise: A Guide to Loving and Taking Care of Self, he shares the secrets that got him there and invites us to follow in his footsteps.
And Then We Rise is a practical roadmap to personal transformation. In four distinct sections, Common explores these pillars of well-being: food, the body and exercise, mental wellness and spiritual connection. He candidly shares his journey, from embracing a vegan lifestyle to navigating therapy, and weaves in tactical tips alongside personal stories.
In this exclusive EBONY interview, Common emphasizes the critical role of self-care for Black communities to reclaim control and unlock our full potential in the face of historical oppression. “Taking care of ourselves holistically, having access to health and wellness…that’s what I call my revolutionary act,” he declares.
EBONY: Your book inspired me to make a big plate of vegetables for lunch.
COMMON: It makes me feel so inspired, warm and happy that you have already applied something from the book to your life; that’s amazing.
You say that self-care is a revolutionary act for Black people and our community, which has had such a profound effect on me. Why is it so important?
Black people in America and so many parts of the world have experienced other people doing their best to oppress us and not create access for us. The things that we’ve overcome in America are powerful. But I believe some of the power and the potential that we have as Black people can fully be realized with the things we have the power to control, like self-love and taking care of ourselves.
In the first part of the book, you share why you became a vegan. How has that dietary change transformed your life?
Food gives your body energy, and God created foods to help our bodies function in the best ways. Fruits and vegetables and a lot of plant-based things add life; green is life. Even when you cook them, nutrients are still added to your body. Eating things that are processed and have a lot of weight can weigh down not only your physicality but also your spirit. I’m not saying that you need to go vegan to be healthy. It’s about being aware of what you’re putting in your body, whether it’s some vegetables on your plate or some water intake every day. Find out what herbs and supplements will benefit you and bring good things to your body.
In the body section, I was surprised to read that people made fun of your physique when you were younger.
For me, working out is something that helps my body move around. With exercise, you start removing the negative things that can exist in your body, and it feeds you. It also does something mentally; it stimulates and gives you energy. If working out with weights is not your thing, maybe try a walk, yoga or some physical activity that works for you. I want to move around and stay fit and healthy. I want to be in my nineties, jumping around on stage if I want to.
And Then We Rise. Image: Amazon.
You also candidly write about your journey to achieve mental wellness.
I was having a conversation with some friends in Chicago; three people had dealt with the loss of family members that came out of violence. The trauma that exists in that situation is something that, if we don’t take care of ourselves, we will carry that weight and never be able to reach a capacity for happiness and joy. I’ve had traumas that I didn’t even know about until I started going to therapy. Our communities deal with generational traumas that have been passed down, and presently, with what young people have to deal with, the lack of opportunities, the anxiety and depression that we hear about, we need help, we need solutions, we need healing.
It’s sometimes a struggle to get the Black community to invest in mental wellness.
Someone will say man, I’m having this ache, I need to go see a doctor. Or my tooth hurts, I need to go to the dentist. What about emotional hurt? It affects your physicality. My mother would say to me: don’t stress yourself to the point where you’re gonna get sick. The emotional weight that we’ve carried as Black people in our communities, we deserve spiritual and mental wellness and help. Therapy for me has been one of those things that allowed me to see myself: how can I be my best self, my happiest and most joyful, and reach my full potential? Your body is walking in the environment that your mind creates. Whatever you think about yourself or your life, your body feels it. It’s so important for us to have our minds in the right places through therapy, healing, meditation and whatever we can do to get our minds to find peace beyond understanding. I still work with a therapist because sometimes stuff comes up, and I’m like, “Man, what is this?” And I talk about therapy openly because we do need more of it in our communities. It’s one of those things where we grew up feeling that’s what crazy people do or that’s “white folk stuff.” No, we deserve it too. Mental health is important for us to be and function at our best.
The last component of your book focuses on spiritual wellness.
Spiritual wellness is something that I feel has gotten us through so many difficult times. For me, it’s been the foundation of who I am as an artist, person, father and friend, and as an advocate for people like us. My relationship with God allows me to know what my purpose is, and I believe we all deserve a path to get to God and a higher power—seeing that in yourself allows you to see it in others.
What’s one message from And Still We Rise that we can put into motion immediately?
Before you do anything, get up and thank God for the day. Take five minutes, whether it’s to say a prayer or to meditate, to calm yourself and be within yourself to say what you want this day to be. The first thing you’re doing with your day is giving love to yourself and setting your attention. Whether you know it or not, you’ve already planted a seed much greater than scrolling your phone, which doesn’t have anything to do with your success, joy or wellness. Start the day off with gratitude. Take some time to pray, speak and commune with God and yourself. I think that would be a great first step.
