Writer and Mindwalk Yoga member, Serena Robinson, on the roots and importance of self-care in Black political activism.
October marks Black History Month. As Black womxn, we need to learn how to synergise strength and vulnerability to create an aura that shields us from a world that renders us invisible. Mindwalk Yoga has womxn of colour at the core of the mission; the mission is to aid the journey to self-managed mental wellness through self-love and self-care. Our visibility alone is enough to harbour anxiety and trauma, so what does it mean to preserve one’s energy in the face of misogynoir?
Audre Lorde was an American writer, feminist, womanist, librarian, and civil rights activist.
Audre Lorde, a revolutionary for articulating the intricate intersections of the Black female identity, said, “caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation and that is an act of political welfare”. Self-preservation is a crucial tenet for strength when stress, racism, and sexism bear a heavy burden on our life quality.
Glen Wheeler and Claudia Grayson, known as Sister Sheeba, stand outside George Jackson’s funeral at St. Augustine’s Church in Oakland, California_August 1971
Health activism and political activism are no strangers. The Black Panther Party produced a web of free health clinics that placed African Americans at its heart. With healthcare at the epicenter of the party’s mantra, the question was raised on what well-being could look like for Black Americans. Fast forward 60 years, the COVID-19 virus and the murder of George Floyd and many others has starkly highlighted the deep-rooted inequalities of institutions and for those marginalised. Self-care is essential for survival and resilience.
Sadly, the term self-care has been whitewashed through a neoliberal prism, meaning the true essence has been commodified to benefit corporate companies, further eradicating womxn of colour from a practice that could be a lifeline. So, this month and hereafter, when you stop and breathe, remember the real roots of self-care. Be mindful of those who came before you and continue their legacy through little acts of self-preservation.
