BROOKLYN, NYSAT MAR 11 - 12:00 PMWeeksville Heritage Center158 Buffalo AvenueThe Free Black Women&rs

BROOKLYN, NY

SAT MAR 11 - 12:00 PM

Weeksville Heritage Center
158 Buffalo Avenue

The Free Black Women’s Library/Temple of My Familiar/Womanism

This month The Free Black Women’s Library celebrates Women’s Herstory Month at the beautiful and historical landmark site “The Weeksville Heritage Center” where we’ll be discussing the book “Temple of my Familiar” in honor of brilliant wordsmith, activist and catalyst for womanist thinking Alice Walker.

Alice Walker gifted us a life affirming concept when she broke down the term Womanism back in 1983.

Alice Walker’s Definition of a “Womanist” from In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens: Womanist Prose Copyright 1983.
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.

Please join us on this gorgeous site as we discuss this gorgeous work and Womanism in general. Open your mind and come share your thoughts.

The library currently contains over 600 books written by Black women, and all are availalable to you by trade. Bring a good book written by a Black woman to get a good book written by a Black woman!!
Also feel free to come and browse through, cuddle with, flip through and basically love up on the books in the library.

All ages, genders and races are welcome.