How self-care became a powerful tool in the Black community from Madam C.J. Walker to modern-day celebrations of Black history.
Written by Izzy Aparicio
Most of us take self-care for granted as a way to participate in everyday consumerism. Things like face masks, candles, reading books and maybe the occasional therapy appointment can be seen as ordinary activities, but what if self-care is actually a form of activism? Not only that, but the notion of self-care can be community therapy including music, sharing resources and helping others. Many groups throughout history, and some today, thought that by fighting to care for ourselves and communities we can make a difference.
The history of community care
The concept of self-care has been around in the medical community since the early 1900s and was used to discuss how to care for people needing long-term care. It was not until the 1960s and ‘70s that it became one of the many focal points of the Black community, specifically within the Black Panther Party. Medical inequities and medical racism are major problems facing the Black community. To remedy this, the Black Panther Party created a network of free health clinics and devoted their time to the importance of mental and emotional health (self-care) as a way to take care of their activists and community. Self-care and community care were necessary to sustain the fight for social justice.
Madam C. J. Walker: Beauty and empowerment
Not only does the Black community have deep connection to the practice of self-care, but it also has a prominent history within the beauty community itself. According to the National Women’s History Museum, in the early 1900s, after Madam C.J. Walker was tired of working laborious jobs, she started to struggle financially and began experiencing hair loss. This led to her joining a sales team for a hair care product and eventually starting her own hair care business for Black women. Her business grew rapidly, needing a team of her own that allowed Black women to gain skills in the world of sales. During this time, she used her platform as one of the richest Black women in America to advocate for civil rights.
Black History Month at Cleveland State University (CSU)
CSU established its Africana studies department 56 years ago in 1969. As part of this department, the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center, formerly the Afro-American Cultural Center, serves as a place for art, culture and community. The center features a permanent collection of African art, contemporary and traditional works by African American artists and can also be found in films, video recordings and more.
This Black History Month, the Africana studies department and professor Prester Pickett, coordinator of the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center, hosted Black History Karamu: Dr. Carter G. Woodson and Madam C.J. Walker Extravaganza. This event featured expressions of musical talent by the Shaker Heights High School Sankofa group and the Hue People, whose music, dances and spoken word explored themes of freedom, resilience and struggles faced by Black people historically and today. Along with this, in a nod to the legacy of Madam C.J. Walker, the Shaw High School cosmetology students provided complementary hand massages, blending self-care with this cultural celebration.
This event not only honored Madam C.J. Walker, but also acknowledged the history of other lesser known figures.
“Most students at CSU have heard the story about Rosa Parks, but less are familiar with the struggles of other influential women,” Pickett said.
The event recognized many prominent figures from Bernice Johnson Reagan, a musician, activist and scholar to Ella Josephine Baker, who contributed to the development of many civil rights organizations such as Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
The Sankofa group’s spoken word expressed how the world treats Black women, what is expected of them and the struggles they go through, with their closing words being, “Word to all Black women. We trying to do more than survive. Rather than just getting by, we finna thrive. Show the world Black women winning, and we have arrived.”
Following this, the Hue People also shared songs, all revolving around the topic of freedom. During their songs, people stood up, clapped or stomped along, enjoying the group participation. Music is a way to share joy and protest at times, but to also create community.
Self-care does not have to be something we have to do alone. It can be a shared experience and culture. A simple gathering for a dance, helping a friend out or speaking out for what you believe in. Self-care is love and community. Self-care is Black history, and, as Pickett said, “Black history is American history.”
