Light and Shadow: The Politics of Body Liberation

Black Girl's Guide to Surviving Menopause

"Above all else, Our politics initially sprang from the shared belief that Black women are inherently valuable, that our liberation is a necessity not as an adjunct to somebody else’s may because of our need as human persons for autonomy...

We realize that the only people who care enough about us to work consistently for our liberation are us. Our politics evolve from a healthy love for ourselves, our sisters and our community which allows us to continue our struggle and work.

This focusing upon our own oppression is embodied in the concept of identity politics. We believe that the most profound and potentially most radical politics come directly out of our own identity, as opposed to working to end somebody else’s oppression."

The Combahee River Collective Statement, 1977

Talking about our bodies and the changes that happen as people with uteruses age carried (and still carries) a different level of taboo or shame amplified by race and generation. Black women’s bodies have been problematized and pathologized throughout our existence in the country. The impact of racism, patriarchy and misogyny on Black women, women-identified and gender-expansive people and our understanding/ownership of our bodies is profound. From the moment of our arrival in this country to modern times, these forces have shaped the way many of us see ourselves, understand our inherent value and have often muted our voices.

This is why BGG2SM holds space for the conversation that disrupts the system and centers the most marginalized.

In our latest episode of Season 4, we interviewed Social Justice doula and Black feminist Lutze Segu. We talked about:

*Anti-racist feminist frameworks and who controls the narrative about menopause and aging

*Why it’s important to engage in narrative and culture shift work with Black people that disrupts white supremacy, patriarchy, misogyny, and heteronormativity related to menopause

*How people can better advocate for themselves related to menopause and/or its onset with their health provider, employers, family members, etc.

Enjoy!

Episode Notes:

Lutze Segu @lutzesegu

Lutze Segu is a first-generation Haitian-American queer Black feminist who is a citizen of Miami, the home of the Seminole, Miccosukee, and Tequesta First Nations. She is a social justice doula, content creator, anti-racist educator, social worker, and your favorite Black feminist thinker. Lutze is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of British Columbia studying Race, Gender, Sexuality, & Social Justice.

References:

Black Feminism Resources:

Combahee River Collective, https://combaheerivercollective.weebly.com/

Black Feminist Future, http://blackfeministfuture.org/

Alexis Pauline Gumbs, https://www.alexispauline.com/, https://www.akpress.org/undrowned.html

"Say More" about Menopause!

BGG2SM, in partnership with Kindra, co-designed “Say More,” a collection of conversation and journaling prompt cards filled with thought-provoking questions, personal storytelling prompts, and creative ‘wild cards’ that empower people to support themselves and loved ones through menopause and aging. BGG2SM listeners can use the code "OMI20" to get 20% off their "Say More" purchase at https://ourkindra.com/.

Check out our open source toolkit http://bit.ly/saymoretoolkit

Learn more! www.blackgirlsguidetosurvivingmenopause.com

Produced by Mariah M.

Hosted by Omisade Burney-Scott

Theme Music by Taj Cullen Scott

Season 4 of the podcast is sponsored by our local NPR station, WUNC, North Carolina Public Radio! www.wunc.org