Acknowledging my friend, sister and colleague, Nia Mitchell who taught me about Womanism. She said, "The Womanism I reference is the framework put forward by Layli Philips/Maparyan. Womanism was first used in the 1970s by Alice Walker in the US (In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens), Chikwenye Okonjo Ogunyemi in Nigeria (who eventually wrote African Woman Palava) and Clenora Hudson Weems (also known as Africana Womanism)."
Womanism is a social change perspective rooted in Black women's and other women of color's everyday experiences and everyday methods of problem-solving in everyday spaces, extended to the problem of ending all forms of oppression for all people, restoring the balance between the environment/nature, and reconciling human life with the spiritual dimension.
Characteristics of Womanism
Anti-Oppression- Anti-racism is a start! But it's like graduating to 6th grade. Keep going...
Vernacular- Where you are, how you talk, and all that comes with your humanity is perfect :)
Spiritualized- Acknowledge the spiritual and ancestral realm, it is an acceptable politic.
Nonideological- Inclusion is the wave because diversity by itself is a low standard.
Communitarian- Collective wellbeing has always been Black womens' motive.
The key assumptions in womanism are very similar to Black Feminism. I see them as cousins that go to the bar together. They look very much alike, and do not correct strangers who talk to them and assume the two are siblings. From what I can tell, the differences are that Black Feminism explicitly centers Black women and their specific oppressions in a U.S. experience, and excludes spirituality. Black Feminism focuses more on gender oppression than Womanism, which uses language about human rights. Both are heavy on intersectionality, eliminating oppression and protecting the woman/mother.
The following are actions towards social transformation, from a Womanist perspective:
Harmonizing/Coordinating- making new and harmonious alignment between things that have not been popularly associated. It takes flexibility, creativity and an open spirit to do that.
Mutual Aid/Self Help- it means, "We all we got!" Everything comes from self-awareness and community.
Arbitration/Mediation- resolving conflict with opposition with a spirit of fairness and reconciliation.
Spiritual Activities- honoring spiritual traditions of all types, womanists raw supernatural energy towards problem-solving and healing.
Hospitality- all humans deserve an extended hand, even in unfamiliar places. Hospitality acknowledges that an fosters authentic relationships.
Motherhood- mothers have an instinctual sense for management, leadership, caretaking, education, resolution and the mind-body-spirit connection.
Physical Healing- a well body is the foundation for a well life. wellness will include global recalibration of our environment.
Reach out if you want to talk, need resources, etc.