The Secret Language of Women: By Marisa Xochtl Jimenez |
 |
 |
 |
|
Written by CG Girl
|
|
Friday, 09 October 2009 07:37 |
|
The Secret Language of Women
Written by: Marisa Xochtl Jimenez
There is a secret language--for women--that has not been used for centuries. In the 19th century Chinese women spoke a secret language called nu shu. They would stay in the women’s chamber and speak/write in their secret words about their struggles of being a woman. In those times, women were submissive and held as low-ranking in the family. Women had no power, but they learned to express themselves through this secret language and thereby finding their own freedom. These women shared their daily struggles reminding each other that they are not alone. They had only each other: to cry, to laugh, to dream. We, as women, have somehow neglected this outlet of speaking woman to woman. We often keep our stories of struggles and strengths to ourselves. We don’t share the many ordeals in our lives and we stay silent on how we had the strength to overcome them. By sharing, that long-ago secret language of woman comes alive. And by sharing, we become empowered because we get to actually see and hear and FEEL the true strength of women. By sharing our stories, we will learn from each other’s experiences. We will feel like we can step into someone else’s shoes…and we can share the tears and the laughter. It is truly amazing to hear a story from an extraordinary woman—and there are so many extraordinary Latinas around us. It is more amazing to realize that they have endured so much and then see them…still moving forward, always strong. As Latinas, and as women, we all share similar challenges, problems and history, but we forget to open up to each other – at least once in a while. We have forgotten that we find true friendship and companionship through our words and our actions. Mis hermanas, let your story be heard and feel it change you. Let the words fly out of your mouth with other girls around and grow. Our stories must be told out loud. We have this invisible thread between us that pulls us together…we are all connected. No matter how much we want to deny it, there is a powerful bond between each of us. And if I wrote a “MUST DO IN OUR LIVES” list, one would most definitely be: “Ask Someone to Tell You Their Story…and LISTEN.” Do this with open ears and an open heart and you will find amazing things. I guarantee it.
|
Home
Back Issues
ChicaGirl Blog
About Us
CG Shop
