Tonight’s conversation is about giving grace and love: Ode to the Black Woman!!
Spoken word Artist @amandasheaallday joins the conversation tonight to unpack black womanhood, Black self-love, and knowing to walk away when it is not serving you anymore !!
Register for the historic Ode to the Black Woman event https://www.boston.gov/equity-and-inclusion/racial-justice
Ode to the Black Woman
Event: Ode to the Black Woman: A Night of Poetry and Song
Date: Thursday, April 13th, 2023
Time: 7 pm to 10 pm
Location: Black Market
Address: 2136 Washington Street, Roxbury, Ma
Contact: Susan McCollin Administrative and Project
Coordinator, Mayor’s Office of Equity and Inclusion
Email: susan.mccollin@boston.gov, Cell: 617-959-3307
Historical Information: “ In 2016, Sha Battle, a tech consultant and entrepreneur, often felt the diverse contributions of Black women weren’t well represented in education. So Battle created a movement to recognize April as International Black Women’s History Month in Georgia. Conveniently following Black and Women’s History Month, Battle found a way to uplift and support the achievements of Black and minority women of the diaspora-especially those not traditionally taught in schools.
Battle felt Black History Month in February and Women’s History Month in March weren’t enough to commemorate the contributions of Black women- and honestly? Points were made. We need to recognize International Black Women’s History Month in our classrooms, offices, churches, and digital spaces nationwide because Black women experience combined marginalization simultaneously. In the same manner that the experiences of Black people are distinct from those of people of color, the marginalization of Black women cannot be generalized within the Black community or mainstream “white” feminism. This intersectionality can be explained with many terms: misogynoir, womanism, even triple consciousness. But the core idea behind it can be best exemplified through Alice Walker, who coined the term “womanism”.
Black women never have the privilege of separating their race from their gender. So, why are we recognizing their achievements through a single identity, despite twice as many obstacles?Because of this, Black women’s sacrifices, struggles, and everything in between deserves to be recognized with a consideration to the combined marginalized experience.
But all that’s back in the past, surely, we have learned from then, right? Because the civil rights and suffrage movements were ongoing in the same time period, Black women felt pressured to choose a side to fight for. Our contributions are already so narrowly taught but by viewing our history through a single lens, we are erasing the experience even further. Particularly in the Black community, this stems from an all too common belief that Black women must put gender aside to focus on racial equality. This is a coded way of elevating Black men without regarding the distinct oppression of Black women. Today, Black women don’t have to choose a side. Amazing sisters like Sha Battle come in every profession, shade, and class. Thus, we need to have a month that gives a proper shout out to their continued accomplishments and success. By just discussing Black Women’s History Month’s feasibility, we can help it gain recognition and learn about other Black women of the diaspora not mentioned in this piece.” source:https://medium.com/the-sunflower-girl-collective/april-is-international-black-womens-history-month-and-it-s-about-time-8cb5573d3036
Purpose: An Ode to Black Woman. These poems and songs are in honor of International Black Women's History month and are meant to highlight the strength and resilience of Black women. Who is she, described as a female human of African descent. A subject of extreme abuse and expression based upon the inaccurate or faulty perception of inferiority by the oppressor. Scientific: Mother of civilization; one from whom all life comes forth. One who subscribes and practices thoughts and deeds which promote unity among people of color. Synonyms: Wife, Mother, Sister, Leader, Teacher, Warrior. Adjectives: Strong, Intelligent, Beautiful. Compassionate. Tireless. We gather to celebrate her; The Black Woman! She who has no choice but to wear the multiple hats, to do the work no one else does, who is the first to rise and last to sleep. The City of Boston Equity and Inclusion Cabinet, celebrates her, we see her, we appreciate her; The Black Woman. A Night dedicated to all Black Women through Poetry and Song.
A Live Visual rendering will be done by Saige of her interpretation of the Black Woman.
A safe space to create tribute to the Black Woman. Come out and hear from featured artists or take a turn on the mic.