Womanism is a term coined by Alice Walker to describe Black feminism. Traditional feminism is geared towards the interests of white women and does not assert an intersectional approach that understands the complexities of oppression in the face of race and gender. As Black women, we are the producers and reproducers of the entire world — our wombs the blueprint of humanity.
It is in the reclamation of self that we are able to imagine and perform outside of the cisheteropatriarchal white male gaze. But it takes generations of working against modernity’s value norms to get there. In this dynamic becoming, we must take care of ourselves. ’Cause sis, we cannot evolve without healing as we travel.
Here are some of my moves to self-care, sustance and rhythm:
1. Shed oppressive relationships: There are people in this world who don’t care about you and people who care about you but don’t know how to do it correctly. Use your agency to decide who you let in and how you allow them to treat you. Remember as we reclaim self, we have to reevaluate our relationships too.
2. Craft out imaginary geographies for you to exist: Sometimes my map is paved with funny Black people Vines. Sometimes it’s paved with midnight journaling. Always it’s equipped with a half-liter of Rooibos and Rita Dove poems on repeat (sans the fluorescent lighting).
3. Interrupt and take up space: From lecturers to meetings to even emails, everybody wants to take up space. It’s our turn. More pressingly, if this looks like wearing a bold lip or cutting someone in line or loudly going off on someone, do you, boo. The world will keep trying you, so take what’s yours — it’s reparations season.
4. Attend Black girl church: Nothing more healing than a circle of sisters. On campus, Student Wellness runs a program called Sister Talk that meets every Friday to connect with your sisters. When we pour into our sisters, we are loving ourselves.
5. Read about yourself: The words of other Black women are mini reflections of selves. In those mirrors we commune with our ancestors. Peek into some dope womanists re: Alice Walker, Audrey Lorde, Bell Hooks.
6. Believe in your sanity: Sister, you were not meant to survive. You are a historical hiccup in the timeline. You defy modernity’s boundaries and values. Often it’s hard to know if you still exist. But believe in and use your super powers. Be elastic. Be futuristic. Be magical. Be wisteria.
