On Speaking and Survival: We Are the Messengers

"Whatever the message is may I survive the delivery of it."

-Audre Lorde (archival note)

Our bodies bring the truth. Your smile, that choice of earrings, that scripture of hair, mural of clothing is a
beacon to the universe, text for the ready about how it is possible to
be. Black, brave, brilliant, beautiful. How would I treat my body if I
always remembered that I was meant to be a neon light beckoning the
future my communities deserve? Would I still skip my vitamins? Put off
dentist appointments? Would I finally sit down with all of the
brilliant homeopaths and herbalists in my community? What would I eat?
When would I sleep? How would I feel about saying no?

I hope to survive the delivery of our crucial and varied message, because I want to see the world that this message
implies. But even more than that, I know that the particular message I
am here to bring survives to the extent that I do, shines to the extent
that I am bright and well, travels to the extent that I am listening
and reaching out to my kindred spirits.

Just because January is two-thirds over does not mean it is time to stop making commitments to ourselves.

What will you do to ensure that your message survives? Join the discussion here: http://quirkyblackgirls.ning.com/forum/topics/on-speaking-and-survival-we

One of the ways that I nurture my spirit is by surrounding myself with music (often with the help of QBG DJs extraordinaire Leah, Summer and SuperFree!) so I had to share this link to the free streaming version of Corrine Bailey Rae's upcoming album! Check it out here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122325454

And also speaking of messages, check out and share the videos about the MobileHomeComing Project and holler at us if you know somebody who knows somebody who has the quirky RV of our dreams! http://quirkyblackgirls.ning.com/video/revolutionary-vehicle

And finally, crucially, this (http://quirkyblackgirls.ning.com/forum/topics/haiti-and-heartbreak)is a space to share resources, reflections and ideas about how our hearts live in Haiti, how we support each other and our people directly
impacted by the earthquake and also our critical views of the media
representation and neo-imperialist visions of Haiti that are taking
advantage of tragedy.

I.e. an invocation of spirit written by QBG Fallon for the Black
Youth
Project:http://www.blackyouthproject.com/blog/2010/01/some-natural-disasters-are-not-so-natural-but-vodou-spirit-will-prevail/

The brilliant and insightful poem"beige band-aids
for your brown skin" by QBG Zee:
http://tonguerhythms.blogspot.com/2010/01/we-united-states-of-america-offer-you.html

And "Mud Mothers" a moving poem circulating by QBG Lenelle written
quite some time
ago:http://blogthisrock.blogspot.com/2009/11/split-this-rock-poem-of-week-lenelle.html


QBG Summer M.'s take: http://mybestfriendgayle.blogspot.com/2010/01/simple-math-lets-make-deal.html#more

And this link about how to create a sustainable long-term vision for solidarity shared by QBG Mai'a is from our sister-comrades at INCITE: Women of Color against violence:

http://inciteblog.wordpress.com/


Please add your views and links that you know about here:http://quirkyblackgirls.ning.com/forum/topics/haiti-and-heartbreak

Sending love and gratitude to all of you this week and forever! Remember to send announcements you'd like included in these messages to alexispauline@gmail.com.

LOVE! QBG Lex

Visit Quirky Black Girls at: http://quirkyblackgirls.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network