Credit- NLL
In a world where the ugly tongs of bigotry persist, and deadly indifference reigns supreme, it becomes difficult to be the only one optimistic, one of my daughters asserted sadly. I hastened to respond as she/they represent my hope in goodness and greatness. Their lights can never dim despite… So, to my daughters:
Still We Must
Rise UP
Fight
Live
Love
Laugh
Sing and Dance
Be A Light
Be THE Light
How do we stay optimistic in a world where we are still deemed less than a human being because we are Black? Where the cops are called to execute legal lynching? Where Black girls’ bodies are objectified for not conforming to the “standards” of tall, skinny and straight? Where our bodies are resistant to an Eurocentric notion of beauty, and, as an act of resistance, defy its indoctrination by showing up flawless with “all our curves and all our edges,” bootylicious and breathtakingly beautiful like Mama Africa? Where our men are criminalized, called thugs and gangsters and must endure the Middle Passage of incarceration instead of being promoted as the brilliant, resilient kings they are, surviving every onslaught of the genocide against them? How do we stay optimistic?
Still We Must
Stand Up
Speak Out
Resist
Persist
Go High, When They Go Low
Reclaim Our Time
Adjust Our Crowns
And… Hurl Headwraps and Stilettos while spitting “not today colonizer” at the “Isms” Which Threaten to Dull our Shine: racism, sexism, colorism, capitalism …
To My Daughters, continue changing the world with your brilliance and beauty, as queenly aspiration is your birthright.
Like Lamercie
Like Sugar
Like Clover
Like Oprah
Like Michelle
Like Winnie
Like Sojourner
Like Harriet
Like Nina
Like Maya
Like Maxine
Like YOU
Continue to use your privilege to champion change as you teach and inspire, sing and dance. Be so BOLD that others will be inspired by your efforts. Be so BEAUTIFUL that each room you walk in will be illuminated from your mere presence. Be so BADASS that bigots and idiots will be rendered speechless, awestruck by your self-assured Africanness and will challenge their own ignorance and venom and venture on the magical road to cultural competence.
Stay OPTIMISTIC in Your Own Mind’s Wakanda
Because You MUST
As Your OWN Brand of RESISTANCE.
Love,
Mommy 2
Photo Credit: http://ibaruclan.com/womens-spring-feminism-nationalism-and-civil-disobedience/