Shouldered Walking: Accountability, Gratitude and Purpose

Somebody died for me.
I have no reason
To believe
He she or it had a name I know
Or could even recognize
But walking?? Questions
But I carry the weight
Of finding reasons for what must be
For the rest of my life

-Audre Lorde, Unpublished Poem

Some people would call it haunting. How I walk with dead people on my shoulders, whispering in my ears respelling my name. Some still shrug and dodge the voices of our elders as if there is anywhere we can travel that we won't meet them in our own speaking.

I call it gratitude. As usual, Audre Lorde says it like it needs to be said. "Somebody died for me" and folks are making all manner of deep sacrifices and joyous gifts on our behalf every day. And no matter how quirky, brilliant, innovative, creative and on top of it we are (and we SO are some days) we have not made our miraculous lives by ourselves.

We are accountable to our legacy and in touch with our purpose when we act accordingly.

How do you live your gratitude? Join the discussion here: http://quirkyblackgirls.ning.com/forum/topics/shouldered-walking

I have a lot to be thankful for today. Dope QBG SisterScholar Duchess Harris graciously and beautifully amplified my (QBG Lex's) work to praise the (Audre) Lorde on the Kirwan Institute blog and the Huffington Post. What an awesome model of Black feminist intergenerational support. Hooray!: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/duchess-harris/alexis-pauline-gumbs-tech_b_418275.html

AND in the continuing journey of the love-fueled soulchild of QBG's Lex and Julia we are grateful in advance to our community for participating in the viral video search for a free RV (revolutionary vehicle) that will make our MobileHomeComing project to honor Black feminist same gender lovin' elders real! Think of it as a way to express your gratitude to the bravery of our elders and to acknowledge the fact that many of our ancestors, elders and peer have had to live on the run as queer folks of color. Watch and share the video here: http://vimeo.com/8639900

And! As you already know one of the best ways to express our gratitude for what our ancestors and elders have given us is to passionately and unrelentlessly live our purpose. Which (among other things) is to remind the universe every day that BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Send soundfiles to quirkyblackgirls@gmail.com by February 24th to express yourself on the very first QBG radio episode!!!!!

With infinite gratitude for you and what you do!!!!!

love,
QBG Lex

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