My mother is a strong woman. When the going gets tough, she gets tough and keeps going. I channel my inner Norma Jean when things are tough for me. I ponder:
What would Mama do?
How did Mama get through?
My Mom is in the third row, the lone Black girl. Link to recent article about her experience is at the end of this post.
Following her, I can, too!
Most of what I have faced is light compared with what she faced and before that what my grandmother and a long line of women leading back through my ancestry faced. I cannot truly imagine what they faced.
How did Big Mama (my great-grandmother) cope?
How often did life put her on the ropes?
I think about Sojourner.
If Sojourner could stand up and speak her Truth, how can I not? Why would I stay silent?
I summon my inner Fannie Lou; she powered through despite the insults and the assaults. I can do no less.
My trials and tribulations are light compared to these.
Can we talk about Harriet Tubman, please?
She brought others along on a journey to freedom, how can I not push, pull, and inform others, too?
I appreciate Sister Shirley who opened the door that people were not ready for her to enter.
She brought her own seat
Her unwavering audacity was her greatest feat.
I dare not be weak with burdens so light
I call on the might
of the women before and now:
Mama, Mother, Sister, Daughter, Star
Ella, Rosa, Nina, Bar
Norma Jean Thompson, earlier this year at a church event. That’s my Mama!
Mama, Norma Jean is my main source
to carry on, be strong, get through
What would I have done without you?
Thank you, Mom.
Related:
Mama was one of the first Black students to integrate Rosati Kain, a Catholic High School in St. Louis, MO. She went from an all-Black city, Kinloch, to an all-white school. This article was published recently about that experience:
I Wish I could Sew Like My Mother