Issuu

www.UjimaMagazine.com

August 2022

DARLINE TURNER

Mamas on Bedrest and Beyond

Providing a Safe Place for Women and Their Babies page 6

“Embrace Your Community”

V I E WPO I N T Safe Spaces The history of Black Women is a difficult one. This goes back to slavery. Black women were not valued and there was not a safe place for them. It wasn’t allowed. Moving forward, Black Women have evolved into finding safe places that make us feel comfortable and free to be ourselves. But it is a constant battle. Our world is in a chaotic state. It is hard to feel safe anywhere. Between children being murdered, women's rights being challenged and controlled, and war, it’s hard to find

that sacred place. This issue is looking at safe places for women, especially Black women. What does your space look like? I feel safe and secure when I’m at home. It’s my sanctuary from the world. This issue speaks to how women are finding their sacred space and peace. The history of Black Women is a difficult one. This goes back to slavery. Black women were not valued and there was no safe place for them. Moving forward, Black Women have evolved into finding safe places that make us feel comfortable and free to be ourselves. But it is a constant battle.

Embrace Your Community Damita Miller-Shanklin Editor-in-Chief Damita@ujimamagazine.com

Ujima Magazine is a free news publication. For Advertising Opportunities email UjimaMagazine@gmail.com

Sacred Spaces for Fat Bodies Angel Austin, Founder

hen Austin started the Sacred Spaces For Fat Bodies, it was explicitly for fat people. What she is learning through her reading and research is that Fat Phobia is stemmed from racism. The oppression she has experienced in her life is probably worse than most folks because of her weight and being a black woman. What she has chosen to do, is create a space that will serve the community of fat people. She wants to provide resources that will assist them in ﬁnding places and services that can accommodate them.

anymore.” Austin feels you can create a place that is intentional, sacred, to feel centered heard, and understood. That's what she’s trying to do.

Women are generally the ones that gravitate to the digital space. Everything she does is ﬁghting for the right to create a sacred space for fat people. Because with everything happening “it feels there's no such thing as safe space

Austin is working on ﬁnding places where women can get spa treatments, their hair done, or a massage because they exceed capacities at some businesses. Austin is creating a directory for places that people can go to that can accommodate them. She

has spent her whole life trying to change her body including going under the knife for surgery. She went to great lengths because of the things that she was taught. “We have to come to the conclusion that who we are, is just ﬁne. We're meant to be who we are. Yeah, we're beautiful.” Austins’ biggest hope is that within our black community, we learn to embrace ourselves, and our bodies. She wants to champion the work in our community because Fatphobia is rampant all over the world. Austin will use Sacred Spaces For Fat Bodies as a safe place for whoever wants to be a part and needs a safe place to be heard. She would like the community to be more welcoming. She will continue to talk about fat people as much as she can.

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BEAUTY AND LIFESTYLE

You’re Welcome to Take a Seat at the Roundtable By Jacqueline Johnson, creator of Jacquie ooh

lack women have historically been subjected to marginalization in movements that should address our needs, leaving us without a movement and a voice. Despite well-publicized research on gender in corporate America and communities, there's a conspicuous lack of data that focuses on challenges faced by Black women. These challenges are not small or insignificant. Black women need advancement and support. We are at the bottom of the totem poll economically, socially, and politically. Black women must work twice as hard as their counterparts, they face many barriers. Instead of a “glass ceiling” Black women face a ‘concrete ceiling.’ The metaphor of a ‘concrete ceiling’ stands in sharp contrast to that of the ‘glass ceiling.’ The ‘concrete ceiling’ has been reported to be more difficult to penetrate, meaning Black women must work harder and have many challenges that they must overcome. We, as Black women cannot wait for someone to come in and save us, we must step up and fight for our right to be recognized and helped. As we step forward and demand acknowledgement, we need more than people just saying they stand in solidarity with Black women, that is not enough. Playing an active role in the fight for progress for Black women is the only way to make a real difference. Creating a safe and supportive space for a marginalized group is what it’s all about.

Leaving Privilege at the Door What can women of noncolor do? They can create a safe space for Black women, acknowledging their privilege as a non-woman of color is crucial. We all have points of privilege and points of oppression and being aware of those points allows for a more productive conversation at the roundtable. The Power of Listening Black women’s voices are constantly silenced and being able to have a collective voice is a powerful tool. Actively listening means allowing another sister at the roundtable to take up space while being understood, supported, and most importantly, heard. The Roundtable—Literally Diversity is not just an ideology; diversity is also an action. When it comes to feminist events, roundtable discussions, forums, conferences, and organizations; there must be an active advocate for diversity. We must be active in creating safe spaces and places for Black Women. Black women are not mad, angry, and bitter. We are women who have a voice that is being silenced. We are passionate about our families, careers, and communities. We are birthers and nurturers. We are strong yet need support. We are our sister’s keeper. We deserve to be honored and appreciated. We are a part of the puzzle and our lives matter. And having safe spaces to operate as a Black woman is a MUST.

All of that is maybe easier said than done, so here are some steps that can be taken to make the movement for making safe places for Black women more inclusive.

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The Spa In Me Sandra Foreman, Founder Many women enjoy a good spa experience. We all have friends that go to a spa at least quarterly to relax and get pampered for the day. Some would say going to a spa is their sacred place. Sandra Foreman is the Founder of The Spa In Me. Let’s learn about this space.

not do retreats any longer, but she knew people still wanted information about places they could go. That’s when she created the directory for retreats and spas and the people who wanted to host retreats including national and international destinations.

The Spa In Me changed along the way. It started as her just blogging about wellness destinations in the Austin area. She was doing the blog mainly because of her own burnout. Being a wife, mom, and lawyer, she went through a phase where she was just trying to figure it out herself. She did a lifestyle change and figured out what worked best for her. She held two annual retreats for women, the first one, was in 2018. And then again in 2019. They were in, locations close to Austin. The virus happened, and she could

Foreman has seen the interest of people wanting to get away once again. She also likes to encourage women to do especially, you can't go away all the time, but to actually ﬁnd your space in your own personal home. You need to know what works for you on a daily basis. Foreman explains she knows some of the things that have worked for her and what she encourages you to try. 1. Reduce the negativity by what you receive in terms of news and social media. She has a limited intake of the news.

2. When you are able to create that time for yourself. Determine what you enjoy doing and do it. In terms of going away, seek adventures that you feel comfortable and safe doing. Foreman enjoys being outside in nature but you can choose what you speciﬁcally enjoy doing either alone or with other people. To ﬁnd out more information and to look at the different types of wellness retreats, spas or venue resources visit thespainme.com.

She Speaks Wellness –

Wrap Me in Your Arms There is a song by William McDowell called “Wrap Me in Your Arms.” The lyrics say, “Take me to that place Lord; to that secret place where I can be with you. You can make me like you. Wrap me in your arms." This song shares an experience of intimacy with God, which reminds us that there is peace, calmness, and security in God's presence. It is like being embraced by a strong hug wrapped around you that protects and cherishes. We ﬁnd comfort in this place with God. p4

However, there are times when we do not feel his protection and believe we must manage life situations on our own, considering the myth of a "Strong Black Woman.” The enemy wants us exhausted, fearful, worried, and unprotected, which decreases satisfaction in life. Most of these feelings are habits that rob us of his presence. In Psalms 91:1 (New Living Translation), "Those who live [dwells] in the shelter [secret place] of the Highest will ﬁnd rest in the shadow [protection] of the Almighty. We cannot ﬁnd

security if we remove ourselves from the shadow of the Almighty. We are to LIVE in the shelter, to ﬁnd REST in His PROTECTION. His love is too great to leave us alone. We must come to maturity in Christ by understanding that our strength comes from God and not from ourselves. UjimaMagazine.com

Community Spotlight

DARLINE TURNER

of Mamas on Bedrest and Beyond Caring for the New Moms and their Babies Written by: Damita Miller-Shanklin

If you ever would need a sacred place, it would have to be when you are bringing life into the world. Trust and companionship are very important. I had the chance to speak with Darline Turner, Founder of Mamas Bedrest and Beyond, about providing a trusting, sacred space for new moms and their babies. As a Doula, Turner brings over 25 years of women’s health experience. I was trained as a physician assistant at Duke University and earned a Master of Health Science Degree. She was a highrisk mom herself.

urner’s vision for Mamas on Bedrest & Beyond is to change the way high-risk pregnant women are cared for. She feels a strong obligation to bring the best in health care to women while making care easy to access and easy to follow. She wants to improve birth outcomes, especially for black women and infants who are at 2-4 times increased risk of perinatal mortality. Her goal is for every mama to have a healthy, fullterm baby. UjimaMagazine.com

Turner has been away. Turner did the interested in research for a while, Women’s Health went back, and Turner’s since she was a got her Master's vision is to little girl. She was as a PA. She change the way 11 or 12 years old wanted to get high-risk pregnant back to working when the ﬁrst women are Test Tube baby with moms and was born. CBS babies. Turner cared for. Evening News with, mentioned kicking Walter Cronkite was herself for allowing reporting the ﬁrst test people to talk her out of and she was totally captivated. going to Midwifery School. She had planned to be an They would say things like, OBGYN doctor. but that did not “Oh, you don't want to do happen. Her interest in Community Spotlight women's health did not go

continues on p6

Community Spotlight continued from p5

that,” and “I think you can do it.” But here she is many years later, still doing moms and babies. That's what she wanted to do. She’s done listening to people. When Turner moved to Texas in 2000, they hadn't really grabbed ahold of Physician Assistant. No one knew how to use them. Turner’s own journey to motherhood was a hot mess. After having my daughter, and she was crashing from hemorrhaging, she could see out of the corner of her eye, that her exhusband just standing there and nobody was talking to him. There was no communication, there was no regard for him. It's one of the things clients or partners, and that really made me go, you know, and she remembers thinking if she lived through this, she had to make the experience different? And then she had her son a couple of years later. When women are looking for services, they typically either email or call my ofﬁce, and now her new assistant :) They reach out asking for a Doula. She and her team work to match the women with the doulas based on who has an opening, location and based on which Doula may work the best with a speciﬁc mother. Turner realizes a lot of their moms need a lot of help. Therefore her services are not just around giving birth. They have one mom who just moved to Austin with her p6

partner. She has two other children, she doesn't have a doctor or insurance. But in working with Mamas on Bedrest and Beyond, she can trust that she will receive the referral information she needs to ﬁnd her way.

Davids Foundation. Right now, Doulas and Black Maternal Mortality are the hot topics right now. She is working on educating hospital personnel because the moms need to feel comfortable and safe. She and her team are trying to wade through the In Turner’s work, she information and wondering understands there are things how are they going to that need to be addressed to navigate it. When you're help mothers feel safe and talking safety, the moms-to-be secure. As she mentioned are terrified to go to the before working with mothers hospital to have their child. goes beyond having the baby. Her kids are almost 20 and 16 There is a need for more and she had a whole bunch of providers of color. People need issues, having her kids but more benefits and access to being afraid to go into the health care. All of those things hospital wasn't one of them, are true. Right? The implicit the question is when did it bias has to be addressed with become so perilous and why. It providers. It goes unchecked. could be many reasons from They try to buffer it when the Affordable Care Act they can. “But there are coming into place times like I was and some States saying, I've had a not expanding They couple of clients Medicaid currently have where I was so benefits. ten Doulas in mad because training but also the provider There is quite seeing clients now said something a bit that can to the mother be said about they’ve reached a that was not providing safe point they can appropriate. But and sacred do that. she knew if she said places for what she was thinking Women’s Health. But would have gotten kicked Darline Turner, Founder, out and then mother would be and Owner of Mamas On there on our own.” But after Bedrest and Beyond is on a the appointment, she wrote mission to ensure moms and the CEO but she did not hear their babies are safe and anything back. She is not sure healthy. what happened. For more information about Turner spoke about how the services go to https:// population itself is exploding, mamasonbedrest.com/ but the black population is going down. She is working to You can also find them on create a Perinatal Safe Zone Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, with the Central Texas St. and Youtube. UjimaMagazine.com

active LIVING HEAT SAFETY

Mary Linnen Editor

Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sun block and lightcolored, loose-fitting clothes when outdoors. At first signs of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps), move to a cooler location, rest for a few minutes and slowly drink a cool beverage. Seek medical attention immediately if you do not feel better. https://doh.wa.gov › emergencies

THE BEST STRESSBUSTING EXERCISES Brisk walking. Jogging or running. Swimming. Cycling. Dancing. Boxing. We can always use a stress reliever. In this hot weather swimming and dancing will probably be the two l would suggest as a summer start. Breathe and Keep Calm Health.usnews.com

STAY HYDRATED!

SAFETY TIPS FOR NIGHT WALKING Keep your keys ready. Wear or Carry Appropriate Footwear. Stick to Well-Lit Areas. No Headphones. Phone a Friend. Worried? Head to a Safe Place. churchillgroup.com

CREATING A SAFE PLACE A Safe Place has a different meaning to each of us. It could be your home or a special group or a religious place you attend on a regular basis. Here is an idea you may want to try. Join an Exercise Class Finding groups of completely likeminded people isn't always easy, but you can bet there's a group of people who share certain interests you have. Exercise groups, particularly classes where

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the focus is a less competitive activity like yoga, pilates, or even meditation, can be great places to ﬁnd others who want peaceful selfimprovement. Many of these classes are like small communities in themselves and can be quite supportive, not just for goal achievement and motivation, but emotionally as well. verywellmind.com

Summer Fruit Salad

Time Well Spent

Source: www.allrecipes.com

By Damita Miller-Shanklin

In this years severe summer heat a fresh fruit salad with lemon honey and mint dressing sounds really refreshing. Give it a try!!

I know you have heard the saying that women can’t get along. Black women are no different. When it comes to ﬁnding a safe place among a group of friends, trust is number one. It is really with any relationships you have.

4 cups cubed seeded watermelon 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries 2 large fresh peaches, cut into cubes 2 large nectarines, cut into cubes 1 red Anjou pear, cut into cubes 1 cup seedless grapes, halved 2 lemons, juiced ¼ cup minced fresh mint (chocolate mint preferred) ½ lemon, zested 1 tablespoon honey (ﬁreweed honey preferred) Combine watermelon, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, pear, and grapes in a large mixing bowl. Whisk lemon juice, mint, lemon zest, and honey together in a small bowl; drizzle over the fruit mixture and toss to coat. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

When ﬁnding a safe place in a group I would suggest the following things to consider: • Trust • Freedom to express yourself without repercussions • Enjoy the same activities ie. art, books, and eating out • You really like each person and enjoy who they are • You feel they will not hurt you intentionally. This just a few things but ﬁnding your sacred place is an individual process and key to feeling secure.

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