The Transformational ‘No’
As a ‘GlamMom’, I encourage my granddaughters’ voices. I support their vital voices as they play, scream, laugh, shout, with freedom and personal expression. Ok, sometimes it gets me in trouble with my daughters-in-law, but I take the chance. With me, they are truly free to BE!
A gender prescription for girls to conform, to be ‘lady-like’ , to look pretty still permeates our culture. As a GlamMom, a feminist, activist, revolutionary Grandmom, I encourage and celebrate their voices, their powerful ‘selves’ they are growing up to be.
The following is an excerpt from ‘A Blue Jay’s Dance‘ by Louise Erdrich. Words to raise our ‘daughters and granddaughters’ by…….
“The precious no….”to keep my mouth shut. To turn away my face. To walk back down the aisle. To slap the bishop back when he slapped me during Confirmation. To hold the word no in my mouth like a gold coin, something valued, something possible. To teach the no to our daughters. To value their no more than their compliant yes. To celebrate no. To grasp the word no in your fist and refuse to give it up. To support the boy who says no to violence, the girl who will not be violated, the woman who says no, no, no, I will not. To love the no, to cherish the no, which is so often our first word. No—the means to transformation.”
YOU GO GIRL!!!
