The Rhythm of an Unbounded Woman

 Adaria Brooks

Dr. Harris

English-2017-64187

30 April 2025

The Rhythm of an Unbounded Woman

Introduction

When one is born, expectation is immediately set upon them. Whether it be from family or society, a person is expected to act a certain way based on their gender, race, traditions, religions and much more. To take on a role that society judges expresses bold decisions and personality in how one approaches love,sex, and friendship. This mixtape defines someone who doesn’t conform to traditional expectations and lives life on their own terms. This woman is Sula. Sula believes in nothing more than what she thinks is right and whether that involves losing friends, family and a part of herself is all circumstantial. She truly defines what it means to be a black woman who understand having a strong identity will set her apart from the rest. 

 “Childhood” 

From the very beginning, Sula showed signs of being her own, standing out from everyone in her community. From scaring away bullies by slashing her finger to a birthmark shaped like a stemmed rose she lived a carefree life with the thought of consequences being little to none. She and Nel lived an inseparable life in childhood, learning how different they were from one another while making memories together.  Sula is fierce, but emotionally secure and knows what she deserves. These few songs describe what it means to be unrestricted, specifically as a child when the weight of who you are based on society is yet unknown, and even so, overlooked. 

1. “Redemption”-Bob Marley & The Wailers

2. “Be Young, Be Happy, Be Free”-The Tams

“Losing one another”

As we enter adulthood and begin to introspect and observe our surroundings, we are bound to grow apart from things that once were. This is what these next few songs describe. As Nel and Sula began reconciling, they noticed they missed one another, though there is anger still felt and lots of questions surrounding it. This time period is when personal growth is noticed by Sula where she no longer wants to “fall in line” but rather create a new profound path of becoming a woman. 

3. “Heal”-Tom Odell

4. “You are the Reason”-Calum Scott

“The Return” 

After her return, Sula began walking the new profound path. She carried herself in a way that no one from her hometown has ever seen. The same birthmark, no scratches, children, nothing but the same driven personality she's always had. This part of her life marked was a pivotal moment, driving her to define herself more than ever before. These next selected songs describe a woman who feels beautiful, heard and connected to herself despite others’ perceptions of how she should be.

5. “Video”-India Arie

6. “Unpretty”-TLC

“The other woman”

These next few selections are dedicated to one of the few things Sula embraced that the community and even her long-time friend, Nel, looked down upon- being the other woman. Examining these tracks, they show a woman who’s okay with occupying space for a short amount of time. To take on a role that is treated with contempt and embrace such in your own way exemplifies a great sense of independence. She isn't your typical outside lover- she wanted no strings attached-unbound to love. It was simply pleasuring, even a hobby almost. Sula’s affair with Nel’s husband Jude can be paralleled with the emotional complexity in Aaliyah’s lyrics — a blend of confidence, vulnerability, and independence. The song doesn’t apologize, just like Sula doesn’t. It has a complicated identity, which reflects Sula’s radical individuality. She truly defied the norms in this way and has grown from being an emotional person as a child to an emotionally unavailable in a situation that provides all the feelings. Sula's mission to being her own without shame is remarkable and inspiring in a world who sees black women as people who should do only what they’re told, even still being looked down upon while doing so. 

7. “You’re the One”-SWV

8. “I can Be”-Aaliyah 

9. “The Weekend”-Sza 

“Lonely is Mine”

Towards the end of her life, being lonely wasn’t a phenomenon Sula was afraid of. These few songs represent what it means to be a black woman embracing her identity without any limits bounding her to a specific life. She believed everything she'd done that was deemed immoral was soon to be praised by those who tore it down, which in the end was correct. If being self–aware meant being the antagonist, Sula didn't mind and that is how it would go. Throughout her life, the carefree, independent, content with oneself remained stable ultimately showing that loving yourself requires resilience and a new way of enjoying the life we were given.

10.“So good”-Destiny's Child

11.“Good as Hell”- Lizzo

12.I'm every Woman”-Chaka Chan

13.“Flowers”-Miley Cyrus