Black Women : The Words We Use to Define Ourselves

[river]

The language we use (English) is the language of a people who lie about every aspect of life. It's hard to tell the truth using such a language which is designed to promote lies and not to express truths unknown to its native users.

Many of us know that the terms woman and female promote the lie of patriarchy. We try to get around this by using terms which define us by our reproductive organs. I don't mean to be difficult but I have a problem with the name womban and other such monikers. Here's why:

Last month one of my cousins was forced to undergo a hysterectomy because of fibroids in her womb that were so numerous there was just no way to remove them without removing the entire uterus. How then can she define herself by an organ she no longer has? Did she also lose the essence that connects her to other sisters?

And what about those like me who for whatever reason have just never been pregnant? How can I be connected by a word which describes an experience I've never had?

Is it possible that we as sisters can define ourselves by something more inclusive or do we need to go outside this idiotic language and come up with our own terms? Is there an African term?

 

[truetothecause]

GODDESS

is the first thing that comes to mind......

for...



M.E.

The language we use (English) is the language of a people who lie about every aspect of life. It's hard to tell the truth using such a language which is designed to promote lies and not to express truths unknown to its native users.

Many of us know that the terms woman and female promote the lie of patriarchy. We try to get around this by using terms which define us by our reproductive organs. I don't mean to be difficult but I have a problem with the name womban and other such monikers. Here's why:

Last month one of my cousins was forced to undergo a hysterectomy because of fibroids in her womb that were so numerous there was just no way to remove them without removing the entire uterus. How then can she define herself by an organ she no longer has? Did she also lose the essence that connects her to other sisters?

And what about those like me who for whatever reason have just never been pregnant? How can I be connected by a word which describes an experience I've never had?

Is it possible that we as sisters can define ourselves by something more inclusive or do we need to go outside this idiotic language and come up with our own terms? Is there an African term?

 

[Jaisolovely]

The language we use (English) is the language of a people who lie about every aspect of life. It's hard to tell the truth using such a language which is designed to promote lies and not to express truths unknown to its native users.

Many of us know that the terms woman and female promote the lie of patriarchy. We try to get around this by using terms which define us by our reproductive organs. I don't mean to be difficult but I have a problem with the name womban and other such monikers. Here's why:

Last month one of my cousins was forced to undergo a hysterectomy because of fibroids in her womb that were so numerous there was just no way to remove them without removing the entire uterus. How then can she define herself by an organ she no longer has? Did she also lose the essence that connects her to other sisters?

And what about those like me who for whatever reason have just never been pregnant? How can I be connected by a word which describes an experience I've never had?

Is it possible that we as sisters can define ourselves by something more inclusive or do we need to go outside this idiotic language and come up with our own terms? Is there an African term?

So how do you define yourself?

 

[Jahari Kavi]

I'm not going to comment just yet....I wanna see where this goes......

 

[ang-EL]

Mobite is a good term for a sister as well. It is a word that connects you to your ancient roots through Ruth in the Bible.


On another level how do you define yourselves on a National level? Every one else in America is what their forefathers/mothers were first. Example; French American, Itallian American, Chinese American, Nigerian American...etc. Africa is not a Nation so African American is a fradulent term. Black is an adjative so it too is fradulent as a name for people......