WOMEN ON TOP

When asked by Juli Parker, Director of the women’s center, “What Black History Month Means to Me.” Being the black lesbian feminist I am, I’m thinking, “History needs to be changed to Herstory.” Too often women have taken the back seat to men.

The Women’s Suffrage Movement gave women voice, visibility and inclusion, yet black and ethnic women still struggled to be recognized and heard. As a Cape Verdean, lesbian, feminist, writer, Black History Month is excluding. The fact that some of the most important historical figures of our nation and our times, have been either obliterated or marginalized, only to be deemed noteworthy 28 days out of 360, all due to skin pigmentation, is pathetic; due to sex, more pathetic.

We must take the current , sporadic calendar recognitions, and blend them into the larger whole–from the roots of curricula development to the actions of society; from academia to the political arena, carving an unchartered path that will benefit all humankind. Whether anyone disagrees or agrees, dislikes or likes it, or is completely indifferent to it, we are at a turning point in history where we are presented with the opportunity to create a more edifying and enriching human experience. The celebration of both black and ethnic accomplishments, in particular of women and lesbians, needs to be done on a regular basis.

If homosexuality is somewhat of an issue today, more so in certain parts of our good ol' US of A than others, then hatred and prejudice toward blacks, lesbians, and homosexuals was without a doubt, rampant. I can only imagine (thank the Goddess!) the hostility, judgment and prejudices that black, lesbian authors such as Audre Lorde, Angelina Weld, Grimké, Nella Larson, Alice Walker, Ann Allen Shockley, and there are others, had to confront on their paths to honor themselves. Already, I carry within me, honor and respect for these ground-breaking and courageous women, both my mentors and role-models, and use that honor and respect to propel me on my own writing path. They are the fire beneath my feet, as I take my rightful place, and proudly declare my ethnicity, my sex, and my sexuality. As a country, we have come a long way, but there is much more to be done. Open your minds. Open your hearts. Educate your children.

Now is NOT the time for slacking. It is easy to rest in the comfortability that these black lesbians created for the rest of us women in general, but in truth, to sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labors, is dishonoring them. Their sacrifice, courage, faith and determination that paved the way for us black lesbians, so that we could have a voice among this patriarchal and religiously dogmatic country, is a gift to be recognized, acknowledged, appreciated and built upon. What they left us is a hell of a legacy. Sure, it may be hard to reach the echelons that they have, but because of their efforts, we have an easier go of it. Black Women. Women of Color. Lesbians. We have been put on the map. We have been noticed. We have a voice. Let us not forget how we acquired that visibility and that voice. That voice is an inheritance. It is a legacy, whether we black lesbians are ready to step up or not. The beauty of what these women have done for us, is that when we get ready, their voices are there, to guide us in the vision of inclusion and equality.

The Black, the Bold and the Beautiful. Faces that once appeared obscurely interwoven in the fabric of our history, getting little or no recognition for their significant contributions, are now taking front row. President Barack Obama is leading the nation...pay attention folks...is leading the nation. That's right, a black man is running the country and the show–the admission cost: an open mind, an open heart, and a willingness to move beyond old, worn-out philosophies that clearly no longer work, such as, the hate-driven discrimination toward lesbians and homosexuals, AND the idea that Woman is not a good candidate for presidency. OH YES, SHE IS! And yes, we can. And yes, we will. Make no error.

President Obama's candidacy is the beginning of much needed change in this country. We are now presented with the unique privilege of promoting inclusion for the most marginalized individuals. On the precipice of change and opportunity, it's time for us to create our own “Herstory.”

Namasté
Simply Me
a.k.a Dawna Cosme

Follow this link to read a beautiful poem by Black, Feminist, Lesbian author, Audrey Lorde
http://www.questia.com/read