A little Alice.... So today I got to thinking about the fact that my dear friend Fatma is about to give birth to a baby girl. I am already an auntie to Nasozi's son, Rafayando Kalungi, and Leilani's daughter, Xenayana - both as beautiful as their mothers. For me this is not only a sign of the inevitable fact that my friends and I are growing up, it is also a a reflection of the strength and inherent optimism that it takes to bring a life into this world. In this state of mind, I came across a piece of Alice wisdom I hadn't read in a while and thought it fitting to post in honor of all the womanists in my life. To you my loves!

From the preface of In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens: Womanist Prose. Alice Walker's definitions of womanist:

1. From womanish. (Opp. of "girlish," i.e. frivolous, irresponsible, not serious.) A black feminist or feminist of color. From the black folk expression of mothers to female children, "you acting womanish," i.e., like a woman. Usually referring to outrageous, audacious, courageous or willful behavior. Wanting to know more and in greater depth than is considered "good" for one. Interested in grown up doings. Acting grown up. Being grown up. Interchangeable with another black folk expression: "You trying to be grown." Responsible. In charge. Serious.

2. Also: A woman who loves other women, sexually and/or nonsexually. Appreciates and prefers women's culture, women's emotional flexibility (values tears as natural counterbalance of laughter), and women's strength. Sometimes loves individual men, sexually and/or nonsexually. Committed to survival and wholeness of entire people, male and female. Not a separatist, except periodically, for health. Traditionally a universalist, as in: "Mama, why are we brown, pink, and yellow, and our cousins are white, beige and black?" Ans. "Well, you know the colored race is just like a flower garden, with every color flower represented." Traditionally capable, as in: "Mama, I'm walking to Canada and I'm taking you and a bunch of other slaves with me." Reply: "It wouldn't be the first time."

3. Loves music. Loves dance. Loves the moon. Loves the Spirit. Loves love and food and roundness. Loves struggle. Loves the Folk. Loves herself. Regardless.

4. Womanist is to feminist as purple is to lavender.