How would you define freedom?

How do I define freedom?

To be able to be in my own body in any space at any time.

An extension of my ancestors, like what they didn't have for freedom I do wholeheartedly I multiply it to honor them

Oh my gosh that's heavy as feeling like your obligation is to your own happiness and well-being.

As the ability to do what you want to do, but not in a way that would hurt somebody else.

For me, it's through dance.

As to be accepted for who you truly are and no one saying anything about it.

As a soul that is free from suffering.

As no limitations put upon a person.

As being able to speak without permission.

It shouldn't be, can I?

It is what it is.

I woke up. I'm free. It's Notes from America. I'm Kay Wright. Welcome to the show.

Iana Mathis published her first novel in 2013. It was an intimate and wrenching family story stretching across generations and set in the midst of what's known as and throughout the early 20th century. The book became a New York Times bestseller and

NPR called it one of that year's best reads. This week Iota Mathis publishes her

second novel. It's called The Unsettled and it's again an intergenerational story of a black family, but while migration and movement remain a theme, we now meet our characters at a crossroads, with each of them unsure where to turn next in their search for some kind of

self-determination. That may be familiar emotional territory for a lot of people right now. It certainly is for me.

Iotta Mathis joins me this week to talk. for a lot of people right now it certainly is for me.

Iotta Mathis joins me this week to talk about her work, about her own journey,

and the idea she's been pursuing along the way.

I'm going to Notes from America.

...