( ENSPIRE She Did That ) Lauderdale Features Exclusive Artwork In “You Can’t Hear Hummingbirds”
A raw and unflinching testament to resilience. Kiki Lauderdale’s book release “You Can’t Hear Hummingbirds” illuminates the darkest corners of childhood trauma. A harrowing narrative of young Aonani’s life, a young black girl growing up in the mid-70s with hardships, with Lauderdale’s evocative artwork and experiences. Through the lens of her journey, Lauderdale offers a poignant narrative. It is filled with exploration of survival, healing, and the transformative power of art. “You Can’t Hear Hummingbirds” is a call to action against the insidious silence of child abuse.
Lauderdale is known for her storytelling and multifaceted artistic talents. In “You Can’t Hear Hummingbirds,” she includes several samples of exclusive pieces of her artwork. Drawing has been a creative outlet for her and has been used as self-healing therapy. Lauderdale shares with us her writing process and how Aonani’s experiences assisted her in writing about her own experiences of similar trauma and healing. She delves into the significance of the hummingbird in her book title and offers suggestions for other forms of self-healing and therapy. Lauderdale provides essential information on spotting child abuse through external injuries, symptoms, and behaviors.
“You Can’t Hear Hummingbirds” is a deeply personal and vulnerable narrative. Can you explain your writing process and what parts stand out to you that will resonate with readers? In your book, the character Aonani experiences immense darkness in her childhood. What message do you hope readers, especially those who may have experienced similar trauma, take away from her journey toward healing through spirituality and self-discovery?
Yes, the writing process for my book, You Can’t Hear Hummingbirds, wasn’t easy because of the subject matter and the intensity involved in the story. Aonani is a young child taken from those who truly loved me to be placed in the care of an evil person with deep-rooted hatred. She lived in fear that controlled even her slightest movement. She hoped to survive and be reunited with her loved ones.
I had to revisit a dark time in my life. During my writing process, I prayed faithfully and asked God to help me through this difficult task because I was now opening up that old wound that hadn’t healed properly but was only covered up with a bandage. We all know to clean a wound appropriately, wash it thoroughly with peroxide or saline solution, put some ointment on it, and allow it to heal properly first.
Well, writing this took me back in time as though that wound was fresh, and I could feel every pain that I had thought at the time the abuse was happening to me. Each word written struck a cord and opened a painful memory as though I had just stepped back into my past. I think the authenticity of the sensitive way that the story is told about a young girl’s will to survive her traumatic, abusive childhood will resonate with the readers. What I hope the readers discover and take into their hearts is to stay faithfully connected to God, discover their purpose, and walk in it.
How do you envision your book and company working together to create tangible change and support those needing it?
I envision you can’t hear hummingbirds, the book, and the LLC working together to tell a story and share and educate the public by spreading awareness, knowledge, experiences, and resources.
What is the significance of the hummingbird in your story, and what does the title symbolize with Aonani’s experience and the book’s broader themes?
There are a few significant similarities between hummingbirds and the little victims of child abuse that resonate with me and helped to create the name of my story. The fact that the hummingbird is tiny, but like a small child, vibrant and full of energy, makes it unique. Their feathers can reflect light, resulting in remarkable color.
Unfortunately, many bruises on child abuse victims reflect the colors purple, blue, black, pink, and green depending on the severity of the injury or bruise and the stage of the bruise, similar to the vibrant colors of the hummingbird. In most cases, the full color of a child’s bruise will show up a few hours a day after the injury sets in.
Most children suffering through child abuse who were once vocal become non-vocal, as many live in fear. Hummingbirds can create sounds that are both vocal and non-vocal. Vocal sounds are made with the voice box, but the non-vocal aerodynamic sounds are made with their wing and tail feathers. It is generally believed that all hummingbirds make the same high-pitched sounds called “squeaks” or “twitters.”
Abused children are usually too afraid to use their voices to speak out about being abused. In most cases, the full color of the bruise will show up a few hours a day after being abused. Just like the hummingbird, which has a short life span of five years. Many victims of child abuse are being murdered by the age of five at the hands of their abusers.
What are essential signs of abuse we can look out for, helping and protecting our loved ones and people we come across in intense environments?
There are essential signs to look out for to help protect and report a child who you suspect is a victim of child abuse. These are some crucial signs:
Children remain entirely silent in the presence of the abusive parent. They, of cours,e do not feel comfortable being who they are. Injuries to the eyes or both sides of the head or body (accidental injuries typically affect only one side of the body).
- Frequently appearing injuries such as bruises, cuts, and burns, especially if the child is unable to provide an adequate explanation of the cause. These may appear in distinctive patterns such as grab marks, human bite marks, cigarette burns, or impressions of other instruments. Destructive, aggressive, or disruptive behavior
- Passive, withdrawn, or emotionless behavior
- Fear of going home or fear of parent(s)
Indicators of sexual abuse can include the following:
- Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases
- Injury to the genital area
- Difficulty and/or pain when sitting or walking
- Sexually suggestive, inappropriate, or promiscuous behavior or verbalization
- Expressing age-inappropriate knowledge of sexual relations
Sexual victimization of other children Indicators of maltreatment can include the following:
- Obvious malnourishment, listlessness, or fatigue
- Stealing or begging for food
- Lack of personal care – poor personal hygiene, torn and/or dirty clothes
- Untreated need for glasses, dental care, or other medical attention
- Frequent absence from or tardiness to school
- Child inappropriately left unattended or without supervision
You’ve described your art as a form of self-healing therapy. What other art forms would you suggest to someone who needs a therapeutic outlet?
Indeed, there are several ways to relax and release anxiety from experiences of trauma that are therapeutic. Painting, art, expressive art therapy, music, drawing, sculpturing, coloring, singing, meditating, yoga, writing, cinema theater, and photography are all great ways to relieve anxiety or depression That’s being triggered by childhood trauma.
Lauderdale’s “You Can’t Hear Hummingbirds” is a powerful testament to the possibility of reclaiming one’s story and transforming pain into purpose. Through her art and words, she offers hope and light not only for survivors of abuse but for anyone navigating the complexities of healing. By sharing her story, Kiki Lauderdale invites readers to witness the strength that can flourish from vulnerability. For more information on Lauderdale, visit www.youcanthearhummingbirds.com.
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