To Be A Warrior
Audre Lorde is a badass. The Urban Dictionary defines “badass” as “someone who stays true to themselves, always…being themselves for themselves, and not being fake to impress others. A badass does not give up. Badasses will always push themselves for the better, no matter how hard it gets.” For Lorde, the message that comes across is clear: it is almost a moral obligation, for us as individuals, to know “what is most important” to us, and to understand that our words “must be spoken and shared” (40). When confronted with her own mortality, a state which we all might agree, would yield the most relevant, potentially life-changing insights, what she regretted most, were her silences. This struck me and made me think of some of my own silences, which I have been holding onto for that “someday” opportunity, when those ever-elusive perfect circumstances would allow for self-expression.
She comprehends how significantly fear is conditioned in us in that “we have been socialized to respect fear more than our own needs for language and definition” (44). What a lovely thing to come out of an experience of fearing for her life, to then, recognize the greater connection she has with all women: that she may be a “casualty” of injustice, but that she is “also a warrior” (41). This gives her new meaning. She exposes a number of truths to us; that “the transformation of silence into language and action is an act of self-revelation” (42). This emphasizes the importance, if not, the responsibility that we have of truly knowing who we are, and what we stand for, and how we fit into society. Without the step of sharing our voices in the world, we are cutting ourselves off, because “you’re never really a whole person if you remain silent” (42). Another revelation focuses on the fear of “visibility without which we cannot truly live” (42). Again Lorde is challenging us to recognize something we already know inside of our own hearts, because to be seen means becoming exposed in a vulnerable way, with the potential for being misjudged, criticized, and misinterpreted. However, it is inherent in us as human beings, that we be seen, and understood, or we may feel that on some level we did not do the work that we were here to do…that the value that our lives bring might indeed feel wasted.
She reminds us that “visibility which makes us most vulnerable is that which also is the source of our greatest strength” (42). It reinforces the need for inner-courage, and the warrior-like spirit that lies within us. These things matter to Lorde in part because of the distorted views that exist about black women who are both “highly visible” and yet “rendered invisible” (42), and also because of the ways that we as women fall prey to the “separations that have been imposed upon us (in society) which we accept as our own” (43). She is saying that as women we must come together, tell our stories, speak our words, be vulnerable and take risks to be seen and heard, and know that this will be of benefit. Knowing ourselves is the only way that we can be truly whole.
In Howard Zimm’s story “Sometimes to Be Silent Is to Lie”: Vietnam, the theme of silence, and of not speaking out with our voices to say what must be said, is similar to Audre Lorde’s stance on the struggle for justice: the idea that one’s silence will not serve to protect. Zimm points out the contradictions in the reasons the United States has used to get into wars. I smiled at the comment: “History can come in handy” as he is saying: know your stuff, it will lead you to ask questions and seek the truth. This is his greatest underlying motivation, to seek and speak the truth. It’s all about awareness. Numerous examples stand out about the ways in which America has protected its own interests around the world, and the ways too, in which Americans stood up, for example, during World War I, when the government “had to put on trial and imprison thousands to suppress their opposition” (107). He too, is reminding us that we must be warriors.
I see the possibility for transformation (in my community work with the Parent Services Project), in the attitudes and motivations of the parents. If they understand the value and impact their support has in encouraging their children — that is everything. This means being willing to go outside their comfort zones, with patience for their process, recognizing that they are the true advocates for their child’s education. The barriers in terms of language and education may be there, and the task of assimilation is a process, therefore understanding them and the adjustments they are making by living in a foreign country, with a different language, culture, customs, norms, etc. is important. Their own self-determination matters, as does their willingness to try without being too worried about making mistakes. I want to be encouraging when they ask questions, or speak out, and give them positive reinforcement for their efforts, for their awareness, and participation. I resonate with the second principle (Kujichagulia) of Kwanza mentioned in Audre Lorde’s piece. It is based on self-determination and “the decision to “define ourselves, name ourselves, and speak for ourselves, instead of being defined and spoken for by others” (43). If the parents feel seen and heard, and encouraged to engage, this is a stepping-stone towards empowerment.
