Shange in many words

In this week’s post, I wanted to talk about the theme of blackness as shown in Ntozake Shange’s Sassafras, Cypress and Indigo, however due to the current events, I want to write about something else instead. Today, Shange was found to have peacefully passed away in her sleep. I had the greatest honor this year to meet one of the most inspirational black writers/poets out there. Ntozake Shange was a woman with a very powerful presence and ability to motivate people. An ability to guide, inform and teach others. She had love for humanity and her work reflected that. As I had stated before, I never heard about Shange until coming to Barnard, never read a single work of hers until taking this class. However, reading a few of her works has given me a platform, motivation and desire to find my voice in the thing I do on the daily.

As Shange stated, “Where there is a woman there is magic. If there is a moon falling from her mouth, she is a woman who knows her magic, who can share or not share her powers. A woman with a moon falling from her mouth, roses between her legs and tiaras of Spanish moss, this woman is a consort of the spirits.”  A woman is unbreakable when she finds her power in her voice. Shange found her voice, her power and motivated others to find their’s. She’s a reminder of those people who see the world in a different way, who are perhaps misunderstood by others because of it but still manage to manifest the best out of people.

Ntozake Shange never stopped to remind us to love and appreciate ourselves and the people around us. She never stopped or allowed anyone to stop her from being heard. Her work has and will continue to show me the importance and power voice has, especially as a woman of color. Though she is no longer with us, her influence and work will forever remain. Rest in Power!!!!