Hello.
I am Leah Jordan and I am a Womanist. I say that first because it covers so much ground. I am a speaker a thinker, and now, a writer. I spent about a decade in school. I have a B.S. in Rehabilitation Studies with a minor in Religion from the University of North Texas. I also have an M.Div. with a focus in Black Church Studies and Th.M. in History and Theology from Brite Divinity School. While I loved my time in grad school and would not be who I am without it, this space is for the other stuff. I might post some academish things in the future, but this space will primarily be where I share my mind and my office with those who are interested.
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I preached a sermon a while ago on Habakkuk 2:2 about writing the vision and making it plain so that a runner can read it. This space is for the plain things. Here, I will do my best to express plainly and in innumerable ways how much the Black spiritual experience means to me. Jesus is one of my favorite ancestors. I will be here speaking his name, writing about the kingdom (kin-dom) he envisioned, and...other things.
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Alice Walker’s Definition of a “Womanist” from In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens: Womanist Prose Copyright 1983.
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WOMANIST
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.