Quotes From Black Women Writers For Turbulent Times
When the world is in trouble, we readers, writers, and artists often reach for voices of solace to guide us through. No one has ever given me as much faith as the voices of our Black women writer ancestors. As I joined the gathering curated by Black Women Radicals, addressing the position of the Black women writer on the Genocide happening in Palestine, it’s hard to conceive of what to do beyond appealing to our representatives. Although I want to believe in our government, I can’t help but borrow the words of Assata Shakur, "Nobody in the world, nobody in history, has ever gotten their freedom by appealing to the moral sense of the people who were oppressing them." This quote reminds me that we must always be reimagining freedom and how to free ourselves and others. The gathering was attended by the one and only Angela Y. Davis, who reminded us to view Palestine as a social justice issue. If writing is your protest or your outlet for any feelings you may be experiencing watching such inhumane horrors, it’s important to write to bear witness when you are ready. Self-care dictates that we show ourselves grace and compassion as the news cycle brings distressing news. If that shows up as extra rest, the need to go out for a walk, take a social media break or however you rest and rejuvenate yourself, honor that. Scroll to the bottom of this post for some healing journaling prompts to help reflect on the times.
Ntozake Shange - “I’m a firm believer that language and how we use language determines how we act, and how we act then determines our lives and other people’s lives.” -Ntozake Shange
Roxanne Gay- "All too often, when we see injustices, both great and small, we think, That's terrible, but we do nothing. We say nothing. We let other people fight their own battles. We remain silent because silence is easier... When we say nothing, when we do nothing, we are consenting to these trespasses against us." — Roxane Gay, Bad Feminist
Assata Shakur "Nobody in the world, nobody in history, has ever gotten their freedom by appealing to the moral sense of the people who were oppressing them." — Assata Shakur, Assata
The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free.
“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.”
― Angela Davis
“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”
― Angela Y. Davis
Journaling Prompts
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be and how would you change it?
What does “Home” mean to you?
What makes you feel safe?
If you’re a writer or creative, how do you use your work to address the issues that matter to you?
How can you center self-care when the news cycle gets overwhelming?