Issue 08: Diasporic Dealing and Healing with Dr. Maurice Gattis
Where are you really from? Embracing the unhyphenated life.
Hi KP Community!
I cannot wait for you to meet Maurice. He’s always one step ahead, asking all the good questions, and living life with full humanity and zero apology — despite gathering the most accurate observations of the world. I’ve known Maurice for over half my life — he’s the most compassionate confidante and inspiring leader. He’s helped shaped me into a more informed and confident person. I love how simply he humanizes the world with disarming facts and stories. We know you’ll learn something new and have a laugh when you meet Maurice!
Flavor of the Week: KP Q&A with Maurice Gattis
Dr. Maurice Gattis is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, co-founder of the Center for Youth-Engaged Research to Prevent and End Youth Homelessness at VCU School of Social Work, and a co-founder of Sweet Evening Breeze. He is a two-time Fulbright Award Scholar, most recently conducting research on LGBTQI+ youth homelessness in Cape Town, South Africa. On top of his illustrious academic career inspiring great social change, Maurice is the designer and CEO of a new fashion line handcrafted in Accra, Ghana, inspired by a family vacation in 2021. Learn more about Fort Mosé 1738 and follow on IG @fortmose1738brand.
Introduce yourself more personally in 2-3 sentences.
My name is Maurice Gattis. And I am a person who enjoys living life.
Where are you from?
I live in Richmond, Virginia. I've moved a lot. I've lived all over the United States, as well as Canada and Africa. I always defer to Daytona Beach, Florida, as to where I'm from, because that’s where I was born and raised. But I realize that this question means lots of things.
No, where are you REALLY from? (Haha!)
I can relate to this question! Because I also get the “where are you really from” question. And that answer I really don’t know, because of the structure of the slave trade. Even though I’m multi-, multi-, multi- generational American, I get that question. I understand it!
What’s your sign?
Aquarius.
How would you describe yourself in five words?
Curious. Introverted. Creative. Compassionate. Empathetic.
What’s your connection to Komerican culture?
I’m just thinking about the fusion, the experience of living in America and being a part of a diaspora. While I’m not a member of the Korean diaspora, I’m understanding and thinking about and reflecting on what it means to be both American and a part of a diaspora. I really love this idea of living an unhyphenated life!
I was born and raised in America, a multi-generational American, and though there's a disruption in my ancestry, thinking about the African piece of it, I think about the idea of simultaneously embracing that (even though that African history has been erased) while also having that African designation attributed to me here, regardless of whether people know my ancestry, or know where I’m from at all.
So yeah, I think there are some interesting parallels here.
And of course, what are your favorite Korean foods?
I don't know the names of them! I love all the sides that come out in the beginning [of a meal]. I just love them all. And the great vegan bibimbaps – I really love!
What was your childhood like and what has it taught you?
I had a great childhood. Went from kindergarten through 12th grade in public school. I played the trumpet. Started it in kindergarten all the way to my high school marching band. I loved being band captain in high school and playing in the middle school and elementary school bands. I enjoyed playing with friends and reading. A pretty conventional upbringing in Daytona Beach.
Both of my parents were teachers. So you know, the importance of education was really instilled in me and that was a big part of my life. I think it influenced the fact that I'm an educator myself as a professor now. This all really taught me the power of being able to read. To read and interpret and understand things opens windows and doors to lots of opportunities and allows you to really flourish and thrive.
Can you share something exciting that you’re working on now?
I am excited that I am working on my new [Fort Mosé 1738] collection that will debut in August later this year. Also thinking about what my Spring 2025 Collection will look like!
What do people underestimate about you?
I can appear extroverted, but I am often very quiet. I don't necessarily need to speak out, speak in public, or need the spotlight. So I think people are surprised when they find out how, when pushed or when wronged, how fast and precisely I can disarm an argument against me or challenge something that I think is profoundly unfair. I think people are surprised by how fast and furious the response is and how that outcome usually does not come out in their favor.
Share your proudest moment in the past year.
Hmm, I think just living and spending time in South Africa recently. I received my [second] Fulbright Award this past January through August of 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. I was just really proud to be living there, working with people, working with NGOs and the university, and having time to just chill. I was proud that I was able to create a holistic experience in that way.
What was your hardest moment in the past year?
My house flooded. A pipe burst in my house [while I was in South Africa]. And so basically I had to do a complete rebuild while away. Going through those five months of a drying process, and then the demolition of all the walls and the floors, etc. Thankfully, I have an incredible neighbor who was so so so supportive and helpful and treated it like it was her job. I really appreciate the gracious time that she spent letting in contractors, letting him know when people weren't coming. It took about a year to complete! So there was no one moment, but yeah, I think this whole thing!
We’ve all been hurt in some form or fashion. What are you healing from?
I'm healing from thinking about the kinds of things that I was told about people like myself, right? Even though I came from a very loving and supportive home and loving supportive community, you know, the media messages, media images, day-to-day interactions.
While I thrive and love living life, I also recognize the harm that these things have done and continue to do to me simultaneously, and people in my community who look like me. So I think this is something I continue to heal from, think about and am more aware of… while really thinking about ways of thriving and healing from the day-to-day experiences – be it from the media, be it from interactions with people, be it from the representation, be it from a lack of representation. I’m understanding what all this means and navigating this ongoing process.
How do you love yourself?
By making time to do things I love to do. I do an annual trip with my close friend Donny to U.S. Figure Skating National Championships wherever they are in the country. I try to go to World Figure Skating Championships when they're in the United States. Every August I go with two close friends to Drum Corps World Championships in Indianapolis and enjoy the semifinals and the finals. I also enjoy trips to Cape Town, South Africa, to visit loved ones. And exercising – I do pilates and take walks. Carving out time for myself – making sure that I eat well, I sleep, and am taking care of myself. Also, not over-consuming, not trying to over-produce or over-compensate. I recognize that work is a part of life, and that life is a whole package of things.
How do you love others?
I love others by listening to their stories. Being silent when I think that is necessary – just being present with them if words aren't needed. Identifying when I think someone's in trouble and trying to reach out to them when I feel like that's important. Inviting people to places and sharing things that I enjoy doing with them. Sharing ideas with people and sometimes giving advice. Hopefully not too much unsolicited advice! But overall just sharing what I think I can share.
What five things can you not live without?
Figure skating. Oh my goodness, this is hard! Figure skating is definitely the one thing. Live theater. Dance. Human connection. And a sense of purpose.
What’s your favorite dance song?
Uh oh! I don't know! What comes to my mind immediately is Alien Superstar [by Beyoncé], because I just watched Star Andrews at U.S. Figure Skating Championships do her short program to it. I don’t actually know if that’s my favorite song, but at the time I was like, this is it! This is really good!
What’s your favorite kind of pie?
Vegan sweet potato pie.
H Mart Happiness: What’s your favorite product and why?
“I’ve lived in my NYC apartment for 14 years. It’s a great space but it doesn’t have a dishwasher, so handwashing is a big part of my life. A friend introduced me to these dishwashing nets and I immediately switched to using them exclusively. No more mildewed sponges! The nets suds up nicely, rinse easily and dry quickly, they never mildew, and are super durable (one can last me 6 months or more). They’re also great for scrubbing and can reach into all the corners of my pots and pans and appliances. They’re fantastic!” - Maggie M.
What’s your favorite H Mart product? Leave a comment and share the love!
Crispy Crust: A Hint of Han - Subversive poetry that soothes
that other Asian girl I love when I meet someone new and they absolutely know that they know me. Mistaking me for someone from work Mistaking me for that other Asian girl The questions never seem to end… Hey, don’t we work in the same office? I don’t think so. I work from home. Oh wait, didn’t we meet before through Becca? I don’t think so. I don’t know any Beccas. Wait, do you play tennis? I’ve never picked up a racquet in my life. Are you sure we haven’t met? You look so familiar! Oh, you’re right! I’m sorry! I don’t know who I am! I don’t have any unique physical features! I don’t remember any of my life experiences! I am no one... just that other Asian girl. So many people think that they know me. ***
Love, Sarah
Korean School: 꿀물 Honey Water
Fun facts, idioms, translations and history
The next time you or a loved one are in need of healing, make a cup of kkul-mul to warm the body and soul. Koreans drink kkul-mul to bring sugar levels up in the body to calm dizziness and headache from hangovers and to soothe sore throats from a cold. To make kkul-mul, just add 2-3 teaspoonfuls of honey to hot water and mix well to dissolve. That’s all you need to do to make a soothing cup of 꿀물! This simple tonic offers a lot of relief and is sweet enough to enjoy, too!
Sweet & Salty: A list of the tastiest treats satisfying all the senses
Sarah’s new obsession is Marcus Choi… who plays George Washington on the Hamilton North American Tour! It was exciting, healing and inspiring to watch a fellow Komerican play the founding father of this crazy country, and remind us that, “Immigrants, we get the job done!” It made me reflect on how I was born in the U.S., but still not treated this way sometimes. Watching a Komerican George Washington command the stage completely demolished this reality for me and is reconstructing a new sovereignty!
Meanwhile in food and dining, there is no one not trying to capitalize on the deliciousness that is Korean food! Shake Shack has gone full-blown Komerican with three new offerings for a limited time. The question is… are these items offered in the 17 Shake Shack locations in South Korea?