I loved and embraced the poetry, books and quotes of African-American authors during the 70s. But, the busyness of making a living as opposed to working toward living life to its fullest took me away from many of these gifted wordsmith’s until I found Writer’s Quote Wednesday 2015 hosted by Silver Threading.
But, I never abandoned Alice Walker whose words ground and support when the mind, body and spirit is weak.
Women’s Rights Activist/Author/Civil Rights Activist is Walker’s self-defined occupation. She has received many awards and recognitions for her:
- Novels and Short Stories
- Poetry
- Non-Fiction Books
- Essays
Favorite Book
In 1983, Walker won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for “The Color Purple.” Three years later the story hit the movie screen and received eleven academy award nominations.
On December 1, 2005, the “Color of Purple” opened on Broadway. Two years later Hubby, the children, grands and I went to New York City to see the production and celebrate my 65th as well as the eldest granddaughter’s 16th birthday.
Favorite Poem
Walker’s poem “For My People,” has been my “go to” when, I felt, unfairly judged, treated and/or demonized because of skin color.
A long poem addressing a lot, speaking to many, but I will only share three of my favorite passages.
“For my people everywhere singing their slave songs repeatedly, their dirges and their ditties and their blues and jubilees, saying their prayers nightly to an unknown God, bending their knees humbly to an unseen power.”
“For the cramped bewildered years we went to school to learn to know the reasons why and the answers to and the people who and the places where and the days when, in memory of the bitter hours when we discovered we were black and poor and small and different and nobody wondered and nobody understood.”
“For my people standing staring trying to fashion a better way from confusion, from hypocrisy and misunderstanding, trying to fashion a world that will hold all the people all the faces all the Adams and Eves and their countless generations; Let a new earth rise. Let another world be born. Let a peace be written in the sky. Let a people loving freedom come to growth. Let a generation full of courage issue forth. Let freedom be the pulsing in our spirits and our blood. Let the martial songs be written; let the dirges disappear. Let a race of men now rise and take control!”
SeasonedSistah 
I loved The Color Purple, in both book and movie form!
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I enjoyed them as well. The book is still in my active reading space and I revisit from time-to-time.
an
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BTW….. Do you stay in Florida in the summer or move north? I was trying to remember and am not sure.
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When we initially retired, we planned to spend only winters. This lasted for only two years. Now, we stay year-round. I haven’t adjusted to the intense summer heat, but with careful scheduling and planning of activities we have survived.
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The reason I was asking is because rumor has it that Amma’s going to do programs in Atlanta this year. It will be awhile before the true schedule is announced, and I don’t know if you would have any interest in going, but I thought I would let you know it is a possibility.
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Alice Walker is a very gifted writer and we share a love for Zora Neale Hurston. I loved reading The Color Purple and Possessing the Secret of Joy. I was overjoyed when they made The Color Purple into a movie an d I know every word of the script because I have seen it soo many times. lol
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Before Florida’s summer heat arrive, I plan to visit the Zora Neale Hurston Museum which is not to far from where we live. Also, I understand plans are underway for another Broadway play with Jennifer Hudson in the role a Shug Avery.
Thank you for your comments
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I read Alice Walker’s essays in my Critical Thinking class in college… as well as the writings of Maya Angelou. What great female role models they were and still are.
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Alice Walker’s poem is heartbreaking – and true. I loved The Color Purple movie. Thanks for your post.
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