NUMEROLOGICALLY COSMIC
NUMEROLOGICALLY COSMIC ?
Dear Friend,
Happy Women’s History Month! ?
111: Certainly, that number should signify something—numerologically or cosmically speaking.? Definitive sign of a new beginning?? One hundred eleven years ago today, organizers of the “Great March” certainly hoped it would prove so.? Surely, it should have marked the beginning of the end of women having to protest for fundamental rights. ?
Billed as a peaceful demonstration in the nation's capital, the Women’s Suffrage Procession of March 3, 1913, attracted five thousand women and scores of White men so numerous, disruptive, and violent that one could only wonder at the sincerity of their argument: women don't need the vote because they have men to protect them. ?
“Hoodlums, many of them in uniform, leaned forward till their cigarettes almost touched the women’s faces while blowing smoke in their eyes” came a first-hand account of the scene.? As women inched their way up Pennsylvania Avenue, in step, they were jeered, spat upon, and slapped until a “surging mass” of men overwhelmed police.?
The cavalry was rushed in from Fort Myer to restore control. Of those who were swamped in the melee, more than a hundred were trampled.?
With only two ambulances, it took six hours to shuttle the wounded to a nearby hospital. ? “Does it not make you burn with shame to be a mere Black man when such mighty deeds are done by the Leaders of Civilization?” Dr. W. E. B. Du Bois oozed in his editorial in The Crisis. ?
From a White woman came this note: “Not one of [the colored people] was boisterous or rude as with great difficulty we passed along the unprotected avenue. The difference between them and those insolent, bold White men was remarkable. The dignified silence of the colored people was a great contrast to those who should have known better. I thank them in the name of all the women for their kindness.” ?
Imbedded in her comment, however, was the very notion against which Black women have protested from that day to this. ?Historically and herstorically, “women” has been taken to mean White women and “Blacks” to mean Black men.? ?
Ida B. Wells—pioneering journalist, anti-lynching crusader, long-time advocate for women’s rights, and co-founder of the NAACP—was shunned by White marchers that day.? Fifty years later, Black women were honored at the March on Washington, but denied the podium as leaders in their own right.?
Septima Clark, dubbed “Mother Conscience” by the Civil Rights Movement; teacher to no less than Fannie Lou Hamer, Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lewis, Rosa Parks, Wyatt Tee Walker and Andrew Young had one more lesson to impart.? Said she: the Civil Rights Movement’s greatest failure was not according women like Ella Baker and Rosa Parks their due as leaders and strategists. It’s a phenomenon, Akasha Gloria Hull has documented with the title of her book of African American women’s studies:? “All the Women are White, all the Blacks are Men, but Some of Us are Brave.” ? ?
One week to the day after the Women’s March, the bravest of them all died—Harriet Tubman. Having embodied nearly a century of American history, she was thought to be 92 years old.? Exiting one era, we began a new anew. ?
One hundred eleven years later, as we transition from Black History Month to Women’s History Month, with Black women under siege on account of race and gender; with the Supreme Court’s takedown of affirmative action threatening our jobs and positions of leadership, we begin again―again. ?
How are you feeling? That’s what I’ve been asking friends, family members, and acquaintances alike.? In answer have come signs of trauma and resilience.? So inspired, so compelled, next Sunday, March 10, Harriet Tubman Day, marks the start of a 21-Day challenge inspired by my book, SISTER DAYS.?
Male, female, young, and young-at-heart; all are welcome; the spectrum of insights needed.? This Journey from History to Healing and Hope—information, inspiration, and affirmation via email, social media posts, audio and video clips—is free to all who subscribe.? We'd so love to have you. ?
And one more thing . . . today’s lede image, the cover of the Official Women’s Procession program, housed at the Library of Congress, is downloadable from the National Park Service website. ? ?
领英推荐
SNEAK PEEK
I'm thrilled to share with you this special treat that's coming your way! As a token of appreciation for being part of our community, I'm offering an exclusive free download of "10 Life Lessons from our very-Great very-Grand Mothers...and their Daughters." ?
Inspired by the needs and opportunities of our day, this beautifully crafted 10-point manifesto is rooted in timeless wisdom passed down through our generations. Even the cover is a gift or heritage!?
Featuring snippets from the first three lessons against the “blue-sky” backdrop of Jonathan Greene’s stunning painting, "White Breeze," it is sure to inspire and uplift. ?
But wait. . . . there’s more! ? By downloading this special resource, you'll also gain access to our upcoming SISTER DAYS 21-DAY CHALLENGE and other special offers.? ? ?
Be on the lookout for Tuesday morning’s email with the download link, and get ready to embark on this transformative journey!
ON THE SHOW & PODCAST
BEFORE YOU GO: The Podcast
Nicole Franklin and Bryant Monteilh, Co-Hosts
? Nicole Franklin and Bryant Monteilh are the producers and co-hosts of an extraordinary podcast series, BEFORE YOU GO.? Lurking in the background of that title is the taboo subject of death.? But, “Before You Go” is, without question, about life.? In on-site interviews, here are stories about life and living from the vantage of those who know more about the subject than most of us ever will—centenarians, people who've achieved or are nearing their 100th birthdays. ? What do they have to tell us about living long and living well? What would you want to pass on as your stories of a lifetime??
THE JANUS ADAMS SHOW airs and streams live Saturdays at 11:00 am ET on WJFF Radio Catskill, www.WJFFRadio.org. ?
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast on:? Apple, Soundcloud, Spotify,?Stitcher ?
Founder and Curator NEW DOOR CREATIVE
8 个月Janus, you are truly remarkable! I cannot wait to read your memoir! Talibah