OUR DAUGHTERS, OURSELVES

By Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace

Presented by Omni-University

" ...We are each other's harvest, we are each other's business, we are each other's magnitude and bond." " Paul Robeson" by Ancestor Gwendolyn Brooks. In "What Shall I Tell Our Daughters?", our most recent  "H30 Art of Life Blog", Marian Perkins -Phillips, JD, continues an inquiry which was initiated by Ancestor Dr. Margaret Taylor Goss Burroughs in "What Shall I Tell My Children Who Are Black?". This soul-searching had been resumed in an H3O Art of Life Show entitled, "Motherwit: What Shall We Tell Our Daughters?" which featured both Marian Perkins -Phillips and fellow Omni University colleague, Dr. Asantewaa Oppong .  According to the African way of thinking, kinship terms are comprehensive; they are grounded in- but not limited by- biology. To be descendants of a common ancestor is to be kin. It was our consensus then, as it is now, that when we speak of our daughters, we are speaking from an African- centered frame of reference. It is important that we not only talk to our daughters but, also, to recognize that ours are not the only "voices" that are vying for their attention. What we are saying- or not saying- is ofttimes rivaled by the lens of popular culture through which they see their world via the numerous technological devices that are available to them 24/7. It is equally essential that we realize that we are "speaking" to our daughters by means of the values we hold, as reflected by the things that we do and the choices and decisions we make with respect to: our  speech, our demeanor, our relationships with elders and minors, mates family, friends, neighbors and acquaintances as well as our spiritual practices (or the absence thereof) and on and on.

The impressions we make are often indelible and far- reaching with consequences and ramifications we may never know. And, as essential as what we tell them, by choice, is how we tell them. Although our intentions are honorable, as most of our peers are likely to agree, we must be careful to speak WITH our daughters; to listen to them; to respect the opinions that they have and continue to formulate.

We have been given the precious gift and the awesome charge to serve , with others our kinship group, as custodians of and guides for our progeny. Fortunately, we have been blessed with an Inexhaustible line of forebears from whom we can seek direction.

Below, Please enjoy MOTHERWIT: Minding and Mending Family Ties, An episode of "Omni-U Presents: The H3O/Art of Life" television show.