The lecture I have on Mondays and Thursdays on "basic Christian doctrine" has been getting a little bit too...
I don't have a good word. Dry? Boring?? It needs a little life. So far, I'm getting a picture of a Godhead that's so full of rules I'm surprised He (God is always male in this class) can move at all. Don't get me wrong. It's interesting. I think I've just been spoiled by the Rhodes faculty.
After a powerful, but very cold and dreary Ash Wednesday, the sun came out this morning. It was as though it was trying to apologize for disappearing on such a sad day. Everything woke up a little, and I even heard a non-seagull bird chirp! Inspired by the drying cobblestones and blue sky, I'm bringing out one of my favorite bits of doctrine. On a day like today, cold, lifeless theology couldn't have the last word.
I heard Alice Walker's definition of a Womanist for the first time two years ago, and immediately fell in love with it - with the language and prose, the honesty and the truth. I also fell in love with the tension it brought. Understanding and identifying with feminist theology wasn't difficult. Womanism required wrestling, questioning, and invited a hungry curiosity. And finally, I fell in love with the love - the love for God, for others, male and female, of any color, the love for creation, and the deep love of self.
Some of you have heard me talk about "theology like jazz" or "doctrine that tastes like honey." This is where I found it first (especially in her third section). I can think of no better way to honor this day celebrating all things love than remembering Walker's words. Enjoy!
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.
Happy Valentine's-Arizona Statehood Day!
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