Rev. angel Kyodo Williams doesn’t like stereotypes.
That’s not entirely surprising, since she also seems to enjoy shattering them. She’s a black queer woman in an American Buddhist tradition often steered by white men; a Buddhist operating in activist circles of mostly Christians and Jews; a leader of the Religious Left who doesn’t use the word “God.”
And while Williams — whose first and last name isn’t capitalized — is known as a hard-charging activist for racial justice, she also has a knack for mixing difficult conversation with easy laughter.
When the author and Buddhist teacher agreed to be interviewed for this story, for instance, she invited me not to a meditation center or sacred locale, but to her upscale apartment along the river in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The decor was something akin to minimalist Buddhist chic, but also included trace elements of whimsy, such as the shiny, skull-shaped candle holder that sat atop her coffee table. Reclining on her couch for our interview, Williams spoke slowly and deliberately, choosing her words carefully as the sun reflected off the river and onto the nearby wall.
“The first time I got arrested many years ago was here in New York—it was over by the Hudson River,” she told me. “I frankly can’t even remember what it was about.”
Read the full interview here: https://thinkprogress.org/angel-kyodo-williams-0357aa186187/
Related Content:
The Core of Belonging
In this profound conversation, Tami Simon and Rev. angel take a deep look at how society shapes our sense of belonging—and how we can all take back the power to belong for ourselves.
Living the Questions: Why 2020 Hasn’t taken Rev. angel by surprise
A companion conversation in the On Being episode that has been re-aired for the third time — Krista catches up with Rev. angel Kyodo Williams on how she’s keeping her fearlessness alive through pandemics and rupture.
The World is Our Field of Practice — On Being w/ Krista Tippett
This prophetic conversation, which Rev. angel Kyodo Williams had with Krista in 2018, is an invitation to imagine and nourish the transformative potential of this moment — toward human wholeness.
Reclaiming The Wholeness Of Our Stories – The Four podcast
angel Kyodo williams · Reclaiming The Wholeness Of Our Stories – The Four podcast
The Magic of Radical Dharma Camp – Radical Dharma Camp-Omega 2021 [excerpt]
Rev. angel walks us through the cost + violence of unfulfillment & calls us into the question of where do you stand?
Centering Leadership In Presence
Featured Event
Collective Trauma Summit
Rev. angel Kyodo williams joins in as Thomas Hübl hosts 50+ experts on the topic of collective trauma, she appears on Day 9 (Oct 6) of the speaker talks: “The False Divide Between Personal and Social Awakening”