This Sunday my aching body is begging for rest, so I’m snuggled in with the books of two wise women. When looking for a photo of Ms. Maya Angelou’s family to help me better envision a poetic scene she was painting with her words, I stumbled upon the above 1983 gem of her and the other author-activist I’m soaking up today, Ms. Gloria Steinem. Of course these two kindred-spirit warrior goddesses knew each other. In their unique voices they champion the same cause: truth and freedom.
In this specific moment in time I’m in one of the stages between being set free and being pissed off. I am feeling overwhelmed. I am anxious about what the next 365 days will hold as we prepare to choose our leader next November 3rd. Part of me wants to hunker under this blanket where it’s safe and not initiate any ripple-causing or feather-ruffling conversations. Another part of me wants to pick up a megaphone and ask tough question after tough question about patriarchy and colonialism and how and where we see these structures in our homes, schools, businesses and government. This part of me knows the discomfort required in looking at the truth of how I participate in and benefit from structures that aren’t designed for the greatest good and the most complete freedom.
In times when I flounder in aches and pains and confusion and apathy, I call to these women to show me the way to sit in discomfort, use voice to ring truth and find strength to walk the talk.