For Gleaning

Those who knew me as a child may be surprised by the boldness of my writing. As a child, I was shy. This partnered with introversion did not interfere with my ability to observe what was unfolding in my environments. In addition to home, there were many other places providing a variety of opportunities for the little girl born in a Black body in a racially segregated society to learn about herself and what others thought of her. 

I cannot measure the value of what I learned from my parents and other elders. Early, I was taught to observe and listen. Both would help me learn to think critically and analytically as well as to form my own opinions. It would take longer for me to speak and write with conviction. Observing and listening include more than being aware. Consideration must be given to what is shared; what is not shared; whose perspective is presented; whose perspective is minimized or excluded; who benefits; and more. Being willing to learn means appreciating mystery and nuance while not being tethered to certainty and duality.

It has taken me decades to speak my truth. Now, a maturing woman closer to 70 than 60 with no biological or adopted offspring, it is critical for me to share some of my learnings before breath leaves my body. No need for alarm. As far as I know my health is good. Yet, I have reached the age of being more aware of my mortality. I write hoping others may glean insight useful for them, their journey, and the continuing struggle for racial justice. 

The evil of white supremacy is as grave as it is complex. While it is daunting to consider addressing it, this is mine to do. I hope that by my writing in Leslye’s Labyrinth you will grow in recognizing the gravity and complexity of the matter. People in Black and Brown bodies, you know to practice self-care in reading my work as I do not want to cause harm. People in white bodies, please slow down and ponder the depth of my sharing. Because I am willing to address white supremacy, it does not mean that other people in Black bodies are willing to have these conversations or that we all share identical opinions.

The United States of America has thrived by promoting white supremacy and racism with varying degrees of citizenship. The wealth of many was gained through the forced labor of others. Chattel slavery ended but it would take another century for the right to vote to be actualized and it is now on shaky ground. The legacy of slavery and Jim Crow is present in prison systems incarcerating a disproportionate number of people in Black and Brown bodies. This is but one example of the need for the modern day call for justice. Others include a litany of racial disparities throughout our nation. This is exasperated by deeply held beliefs of white supremacy that was created to deny the full humanity of people in Black and Brown bodies.

In my faith tradition, I learned of Jesus the Nazarene who lived in Africa as a child. When invited to read from Torah in his synagogue, he affirmed his calling to liberate those who were bound, especially those who were unjustly bound or on the margins. The prophet Isaiah expressed it more poetically but I will paraphrase and assert that Jesus was in essence anointed by God to be a liberator.

While we are a pluralistic society, I recognize that the hunger for liberation is shared by people across faith traditions as well as by those of no faith tradition. It is part of what we claim to value as a nation. In spite of our nation’s flaws, she has been recognized as a land of freedom, of liberty, of democracy. If we are to continue as a people, may the shared desire for freedom, liberty and democracy bind us in solidarity. 

In my lifetime I have witnessed both the expansion and the ending of a number of human rights impacting my life as a Black woman. The work must not be abandoned or stopped. We must be persistent and innovative. The risks are too great.