Phew! These 40 year old legs have just about managed to
catch the late train home, after walking the length, breadth and height of the
Southbank centre today. Yet these forty
year old fingers and this forty year old brain is ready to work, work,
work. What a day. Accompanied by
collaborator, Mammaanji, the themes of race and motherhood have been listened
to, discussed and tweeted on the marvellous second day of WOW.
Whilst I didn’t feel the surging empowerment of yesterday, I
did feel that so many of our debates are in their infancy, and this is an
exciting time to be sharing our thoughts and opinions. But when we are sharing our stories of the
past, I don’t feel we need to compare journeys to the detriment of seeking a
way forward. Obviously, in order to see
the future, we must accept the past, but I felt despondent today that the lives
of our young were not considered.
Labelling has and always will happen, it is what society needs to
dominate and control the peoples within it. Indeed, we categorise ourselves,
sometimes for ease, at times for necessity.
I have used the term ‘mixed race’ to ensure I am understood, and lately
I have noticed my vocabulary changing to use ‘mixed heritage’, and today
highlighted how insufficient these terms are. I grew up in a time when (is it
so different?) white is good and black is bad.
Disney Princesses with their ivory skin, blond, blue, beauty was contrasted with the craggy, old, spinster witch in black. And don’t even get me started on Noddy and
his golliwog. So I wanted to hear today
what people thought about how we educate future generations? There was so much
talk on half this, and half that. As a
mama to English / British / Geordie / Caribbean / Grenadian / St Lucian /
Londoners where will my daughters align themselves? With their Yorkshire /
English / Caribbean / Hindu / Sri Lankan / Indian / Geordie / London cousins
(there are 4 children in that mix BTW)? I doubt anyone out there has a one answer fits
all solution. This is going to run and
run.
What will Alice do next?
After watching Pratibha Parmar’s film about Alice Walker, and then
listening to the woman herself, I wonder whose life will be touched by her
gentle yet forceful hand next. This was
an honest portrayal of her career and life delving into the writings, career,
family and lovers, including the shocking revelation that she is estranged from
her daughter and grandson. My goodness
this struck a chord. The Color Purple has
been my favourite book and film since I was 18.
I have a battered old copy which I refuse to update and can’t wait for
the moment that I pass it onto the 3G.
My knowledge of her other works will improve after tonight. I have learnt so much, not just about
her writing, but about her role in activism, and how spiritual she is. Yet I left with a heavy heart as Mammaanji
questioned whether we have to sacrifice our role as mother in order to
write. It’s hard to appreciate why
Walker made the choices she did, but the sad part is that a family is fragmented. Speaking as a daughter estranged from her
mother, whatever path I take I hope to see the 3G along the way, near or far.
This WOW weekend has been heart-warming and thought
provoking. I am exhausted and wonder
where I will get the energy for class tomorrow.
This event is definitely a permanent fixture in mama elsie’s
calendar. Next year I’m taking as many
of you as possible with me.
Goodnight London, wherever you are.
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