I was saddened when I heard that Ntozake Shange died recently (Oct 28, 2018). I remember reading Sassafrass Cypress and Indigo over 20 years ago. My most vivid memory of the book is when one of the main characters gets her period and her mother celebrates it with a ritual bath. It was so affirming and uplifting, and still speaks to me after all these years.
I am going to go back and re-read it now, although with For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide /When the Rainbow is Enuf. What we need now is art like this that uplifts people and connects people in the highest expression of their spirit.
This is so heart breaking, I remember falling in love with Latent Rapists, I did it as my monologue and the adjudicator asked me why would I choose such a controversial monologue and I said to her femininity is supposed to be appreciated, no matter how dirty and how pure it is the ideas around the subject is. What is the use of always portraying women as this strong masterpiece that is supposed to be put up on a pedestal and admired when the things done unto us do not reflect a masterpiece that needs to be put on a pedestal and For Colored Girls reinforces that. Women are strong no matter what is done unto them, we will rise no matter how harsh the circumstances are; not because we are portrayed as the soft, submissive gender. No. Under the smile you will find a scar that was cut so deep, that if the blade responsible cuts a man he bleeds and dies but if it cuts a women, she shrugs it off and carries on walking because that is how women are, Strong, Beautiful, we persevere, we empathize and sympathize, we are amazing. May her beautiful soul rest in peace.
This is beautiful – thank you for your comment.