Audre Lorde was a Caribbean-American writer, radical feminist, and civil rights activist. At a conference in New York in 1979, Lorde gave an address titled “The Master’s Tools Will Never Disantle the Master’s House.” She criticized the shape of the feminist movement, saying the white leaders were neglecting the experience of minority women and even using a similar form of oppression, therefore hindering the lasting effect of the feminist movement.

*image courtesy of Wikipedia*

The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House - Audre Lorde

blk girl soldier written​ ​by: Jamila Woods
Produced By: Jus Cuz
Additional Production ​& ​Arrangement By​: SABA
Mixed By: Matt Hennessy of VSOP Productions
Mastered by: Hans DeKline
Distributed by: Closed Sessions

Photo Credit:  Bradley Murray 
Artwork:  Max Sansing

HEAVN

Blk Girl Soldier

Every other month, Shan and I are going to dish all things inspiration in our  blog chats. This month seemed fitting to explore love, especially  self love, as we are often taught, particularly women, to love everyone but ourselves. 

Shan and I are both on paths of healing, love and discovery. We are seeking to honor the light within ourselves, and want those same feelings to manifest for everyone, especially women.


Shan is the creator of The Free Gurl Club, an awesome online space dedicated to empowering women. She hosts a weekly show on YouTube and shares life affirming daily affirmations. 

Show Notes  - 3 Core Ways to Cultivate Self Love

1. Make healing yourself (from wounds, past experiences, etc.) a priority! This could be tied to your faith (for me it's inextricably linked) and include daily and / or frequent time alone (5-10 min.) for reflection. Even if you its initially one minute alone, begin there!

2.  Post positive self affirmations around your home and work space, or even on your phone. Say them aloud throughout the day.  These may include statements like "I am beautiful. I am worth the life I seek. I am created in the image of God and my life matters. Abundance and joy are my birthrights."

3.  Say NO to what drains and depletes you as these people, places and / or choices are creating feelings of being overwhelmed. 

When we are overwhelmed,  we often self medicate in unhealthy ways - excessive drinking, working long hours, overeating, etc.

Further Reading:

Salvation: Black People and Love by bell hooks 

Peace from Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You’re Going Through by Iyanla Vanzant 

Imagine Being More Afraid of Freedom Than Slavery by Pamela Sneed 

Commanding Your Morning by Cindy Trimm

Adalmar Life by Nellie Russell (insightful blog) and piece on the importance of self care and healing. Nellie is one of my blogging besties!  http://adalmarlife.com/filling-our-vessels/

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightment by Eckhart Tolle  

The Audre Lorde quote I referenced on self care. You might also enjoy this blog post about Audre and her intellectual work at 
 http://www.lowendtheory.org/post/50428216600/on-audre-lordes-legacy-and-the-self-of



Live In Color Blog & The Free Gurl Club Chat - Cultivating Self Love

Background, context, and transcribed text: https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/04/13/james-baldwin-the-artists-struggle-for-integrity/

Recording by Pacifica Radio Archives.

CONTEXT / TEXT

James Baldwin: The Artist's Struggle for Integrity (full lecture)

HEAVN written​ ​by: Jamila Woods
Produced By: The Roots (from the Roots album "Dilla Joints" - Eve)
Voicemail by: Eve Ewing
Mixed By:  Mike Kolar c/o Closed Sessions 
Mastered by: Mike Kolar c/o Closed Sessions 
Distributed by: Closed Sessions

Audre Lorde | There Is No Hierarchy Of Oppression

On the film I Am Not Your Negro and the essays "Notes of a Native Son" (1955) and The Fire Next Time (1963).

Baldwin is a go-to figure at this point in discussions of race; his essays, stories, and speeches provide a key touchstone in discussing how racism has warped our culture. So, how do we translate his testimony into philosophical theory? When he talks about the psychological/sociological maladies of both black and white folks resulting from the overt racism of his day, to what extent do his insights apply to us now, when racism has become more subtle?

The full foursome are rejoined by Law Ware to shed new light on our discussion from ep. 161. We focus on Baldwin's middle way between MLK's love and Malcolm X's rage and his critique of the American dream. How do you oppose the inhumanity of others without demonizing them, and thereby becoming inhuman yourself?

Buy the book version of I Am Not Your Negro. Buy the James Baldwin: Collected Essays that includes the rest of our readings. You can also read the essays online: "Notes of a Native Son," and the two essays that make up The Fire Next Time, the shorter “My Dungeon Shook — Letter to my Nephew on the One Hundredth Anniversary of Emancipation" and the more lengthy "Down at the Cross — Letter from a Region of My Mind."

You can watch several interviews used in the film or referred to on the episode: This 1963 one with Kenneth Clark is key; the clip is bookmarked at the claim from the film that white people created this despised other category; to fix America, we have to figure out what psychological need drove that creation. The short clip actually used in this episode from a Dick Cavett interview is here and another key point in that interview is here. The 1984 interview Mark refers to where Baldwin reflects on the lack of real progress in addressing the results of racism is here, bookmarked at at the point Mark paraphrased about the the increasing "economic uselessness" of blacks according to establishment.

Baldwin picture by Solomon Grundy.

Go to blog

James Baldwin on Race in America (Part One)

Tonight’s show is going to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the passing of black, lesbian, mother, warrior poet Audre Lorde, with:

A collection of readings of her works and personal reflections from her friends. 

And a celebration of how her life is supporting and inspiring successive efforts to combat injustice. 

Also … since we are in the Fall Fund Drive, we will be asking for your support for KPFA and the First Voice Apprenticeship Program!

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Full Circle 9/22/17 -- Celebrating Audre Lorde

Live In Color, started by two girlfriends, Emelda and Shannon-Eli Braxton, shares weekly posts about inspiration, style and culture. We also love to chat with inspirational people in a variety of fields (arts, business, etc.) through our Blog Chat series. Past features include GRAMMY-nominated artist Carolyn Malachi; Bashi Rose, Baltimore-based filmmaker, playwright and actor; Pebbles Armwood, a mental fitness advocate and author featured on Dr. Oz and  Marcell Russell, celebrated soul singer. Visit us at  www.liveincolor.org & become a follower via email!


Live In Color Blog & The Free Gurl Club Chat - Cultivating Self Love

Live In Color Blog!