The Personal is Political: Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Earlier this week, we celebrated MLK day in the US. And by celebrated, I mean that some people posted tributes while others volunteered in their communities. Still others used the federal holiday as an opportunity to sleep in and order takeout.

I'm not ashamed (anymore) to say that I did the latter. I needed this day off. I relished my mid-morning slumber. And I don't feel like I missed an opportunity to serve the community or to be an activist.

As a Black woman, it sometimes feels that every waking hour is political in some way.

The Personal is Political

Radical feminist, Carol Hanisch popularized the phrase, "The personal is political." The slogan expresses the idea that personal experiences are rooted in one's political situation. Similarly, the Black feminist organization the Combahee River Collective stressed the political importance of its members' experiences with racism and sexism.

Many people who have identities that are oppressed in this society know "the personal is political" to be a true statement. In light of this, how do we take care of ourselves?

A Note on Self-Care

Self-care is defined as "the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health." It has, as of late, become one of the most watered-down and whitewashed terms.

I wish everyone hashtagging self-care was required to read Audre Lorde. Audre Lorde said,

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”

She wasn't talking about bubble baths and facials. She was battling cancer and fighting for her life. She was caring for herself; trying to preserve her life while living amongst others who may have preferred the death of a self-proclaimed "Black, lesbian, mother, warrior poet."

Audre Lorde fought prejudices as she advocated for decent, responsive health care. She had to develop her community when her family didn't fit neatly into the larger community's ideals. There was little to no distinction between her personal health battle and the political one she waged fighting for the rights of her multiple identities.

The Political is Personal

Dr. King was 39 years old when he was assassinated. Had Dr. King lived, he would have turned 93 this year. A tweet I'm paraphrasing stated:

I don't think Dr. King would have lived if he wasn't murdered.

I have to agree. There's no way that multiple assassination attempts, house bombings, constant threats to his family, the weight of being a leader for an entire people, police brutality, multiple incarcerations, and a regular smoking habit wouldn't have taken a toll on him.

Chronic stress increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and heart attack. It also increases the risk of stroke, digestive issues, and mental health disorders.

Studies on perceived discrimination and chronic stress show:

Workplace, gender-, race/ethnicity-, and sexual orientation-based discrimination are linked to chronic stress health disparities.
High blood pressure and diabetes resulting from discrimination-based chronic stress greatly impact Native Hawaiians, African-Americans, and Latin Americans.
Racial stress affects maternal health and birth outcomes.

I write about activities that are considered to be self-care. Meditation, stress relief, affirmations, setting boundaries. I believe in them. I believe they are key components of emotional well-being.

I believe families deserve to be emotionally well. I believe children deserve to be guided by adults who are emotionally well. I believe that parenting is more rewarding and peaceful when emotionally well.

I am also aware of the limits of these activities. Meditation, deep breathing, and exercise have many benefits. And it's helpful to incorporate them into our lives. They will not, however, cure racism, sexism, homophobia, a failing health care system, hunger, wage theft, or ableism. Stress relief activities do not equate to the end of these systemic stressors.

It is my hope that they provide a buffer. A bit of breathing room to gather thoughts. A bit of calm in the midst of storms. A refuge for your children before going out into a world indifferent to their survival. A catalyst for building community care systems that also value individual selves.

It is my hope, that children are supported by adults who aren't killed directly or indirectly by -isms and phobias. It is my hope that we are here, alive and well enough to fight another day for the peace and justice our families deserve.

Categories: : Family Wellness