My old website, menahprattclarke.com just died, literally. A “fatal error.” Ironic in a way. I just wrote a blog post on the circle of life: birth, life, death, and rebirth. And that old website just faded. I wanted to be super sad and frustrated, but it would do not good, so I just tried to get to work on a new one. Bear with me. I had a lot of good stuff on the old one, but excited to build this new one. So, a quick introduction. My name is Menah Adeola Eyaside Pratt. I’m a Black Wild Womanist who loves Black women writers: Nikki Giovanni, bell hooks, and Alice Walker, are some of my favorites. I identify as a womanist because I love Alice Walker’s definition.
Alice Walker’s Definition of a “Womanist” from In Search of Our Mothers’
Gardens: Womanist Prose Copyright 1983.
WOMANIST
- From womanish. (Opp. of “girlish,” i.e., frivolous, irresponsible, not
serious.) A black feminist or feminist of color. From the black folk
expression of mothers to female children, “you acting womanish,” i.e., like a
woman. Usually referring to outrageous, audacious, courageous or willful
behavior. Wanting to know more and in greater depth than is considered
“good” for one. Interested in grown up doings. Acting grown up. Being
grown up. Interchangeable with another black folk expression: “You trying
to be grown.” Responsible. In charge. Serious. - Also: A woman who loves other women, sexually and/or
nonsexually. Appreciates and prefers women’s culture, women’s emotional flexibility (values tears as natural counterbalance of laughter), and women’s strength. Sometimes loves individual men, sexually and/or nonsexually. Committed to survival and wholeness of entire people, male and female. Not a separatist, except periodically, for health. Traditionally a
universalist, as in: “Mama, why are we brown, pink, and yellow, and our cousins are white, beige and black?” Ans. “Well, you know the colored race is just like a flower garden, with every color flower represented.” Traditionally capable, as in: “Mama, I’m walking to Canada and I’m taking you and a bunch of other slaves with me.” Reply: “It wouldn’t be the first time.” - Loves music. Loves dance. Loves the moon. Loves the Spirit. Loves love and food and roundness. Loves struggle. Loves the Folk. Loves herself.
Regardless. - Womanist is to feminist as purple is to lavender.
I love Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Her work – Women Who Run With Wolves and Untie the Strong Woman have been influential. She talks about what it means to be wild and powerful, with a controlled ferocity, yet gentle and humble and wise. All good and important qualities for a Black wild womanist.
I work at Virginia Tech. I am the Vice President for Strategic Affairs and Diversity and Professor of Education. I have five degrees: a PhD in Sociology and law degree; two master’s degree in literary studies and sociology; and a bachelor’s degree in English, with minors in African American studies and philosophy. I have been working in social justice and higher education for over 25 years.
Eleven years ago, I founded the Faculty Women of Color in the Academy National Conference
https://www.inclusive.vt.edu/Programs/FWCA.html
to specifically support, empower, and connect women of color with each to advance their success.
I’m deeply committed to creating environments for everyone, particularly those who are most vulnerable in society, to actualize their potential, especially in higher education and the academy. I see myself as an academic advocate and scholar-activist.
I have written four books.
I’m working on my fifth book which will be published by She Writes Press in 2024. Revelation and Revolution: A Black Girlhood Journey. I’m so honored to share in this work 45 years of journals from when I was eight years old, as a twelve-stage initiation journey, as I explore what it means to be a Blackwildgirl, a Blackwildwoman, and a Blackwildwomanist, and finding my superpower in the world.
