SELFCARE AND POLITICS

TAKEN FORM AN INSTARGRAM POST ON BLACK HISTIORY MONTH ~

Selfcare historically was used to keep slaves and women down, deeming them 'unable' to practice it, which meant they were seen as unequal. So before it became a weapon to combat oppression like today, it was a term used to uphold it.

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Many people know Audre Lorde’s famous quote, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare,” from her touching 1988 book of essays, A Burst of Light.

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HLB has always seen Selfcare as an act of warfare and not just a break from stress to a spa treat, but a courageous declaration that our needs matter and they need to be met, no matter who or what the barriers might be.

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It's about Bolder Voices and Happier Choices for women. In our current culture, women are expected to care for others — their families, their friends, and their partner — before they are allowed to care for themselves. Black women also have the added layers of cultural and societal challenge.

Many say Selfcare was born out of the radical concept of the civil rights movement.' Selfcare is your superpower' is a Movement! Reminding women that, it's their right to be SelfCared!!! Simple as. Some say making selfcare mainstream with subscription boxes and pamper days, loses the political message that underpins the movement's goals.

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But I disagree. Many first-generation Black women, watched their mothers, aunts, cousins and grandmas fight back against experiences that threatened their health, body & mind. They found comfort and strength in the accessible trips to the hair salon and little pamper sessions. These were the spaces they sort counsel and found refuge. They did what they had to do to find a powerful sense of self.

Many say Selfcare was born out of the radical concept of the civil rights movement.' Selfcare is your superpower' is a Movement! Reminding women that, it's their right to be SelfCared!!!

These women were fighting for their survival, day in and day out. Challenges within their lives and in the outside world. Caring for themselves in the best way they knew how was absolutely warfare. Bloodshed on the inside, in their hearts. As they battled to keep it together. So today, treating yourself is a line in the sand, a message to the world, a signal to your soul. You Matter!! Even if the world thinks otherwise. 💫

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After posting it on Instagram, I thought....probably should have put this in a blog! LOL! So I did!