Relationships

How to relate to other human beings in a range of relationships, including intimate, familial, work, community, church, and so forth. How to choose the best partners. What constitutes healthy relationships versus toxic and unhealthy ones? “Treat people how you want to be treated!” Sherelle’s grandmother had a collection of obituaries in what became the family Bible. She’d say, “You got to honor people when they live and remember them when they die. Sometimes these [the obituaries] are all we have of people.” “Don’t never let a man beat on you or your friends walk on you.” “Keep your enemies close to keep an eye on them.” How grandmothers were instrumental in helping to maintain family connections, bequeathing things to the next generation, and planning family events (reunions, holiday gatherings, etc.). Views about the family, what and who constitutes a family, and what it means to act with a sense of family obligation and responsibility. Divisiveness within families. The use of oral tradition and other mechanisms to keep family stories and history. Genealogical practices. This category also includes caregiving–done by grandmothers and for grandmothers!

7 years ago

TESTIMONY: SHERYL BURKE

By RBGM Staff • Relationships, Gratitude/Happiness, Health

“A Haiku for Maw Maw”

Eat Organic Save Money Listen to sages Practice kindness and interdependence Repeat

As a child, I was left in …
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8 years ago

TESTIMONY: NAIMA MORA

By RBGM Staff • Relationships, Creativity, Gratitude/Happiness

Naima Mora, talks about the stories she can recollect and those that she wish were documented from her grandmother sculptor Elizabeth Catlett (April 15, 1915-April 2, 2012).

8 years ago

TESTIMONY: MALCOLM SECRIGHT

By RBGM Staff • Relationships, Gratitude/Happiness, Testimonies

“More than “Hurricane Ethel”- A Purveyor of Lessons”

I am a freshman at the University of Washington. I was born on October 5,1998 and raised in Federal Way, Washington. Growing …
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8 years ago

TESTIMONY: RIMAUJHIA GREENLEE

By RBGM Staff • Gratitude/Happiness, Rituals, Testimonies

“She is the sugar honey iced tea!”

“Great. Wonderful. Magnificent. Joyful. I can only find action words to describe what it feels like to be a grandmother. My favorite part …
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8 years ago

RESILIENCE: LOVE FAMILY!

By RBGM Staff • Relationships, Resilience

Resilience is loving family, “irregardless” as the old folks say.

Duane Lawrence’s grandmother, Granny Ivy, speaking at their last family reunion. It was July 24, 2015. She was 97.

8 years ago

TESTIMONY: IZIAH GULLEY

By RBGM Staff • Discipline, Relationships, Testimonies

“She always told me to say yes ma’am, no ma’am, yes sir, no sir, because that’ll take you far in life.” MeMe wanted her grandson, Iziah, to uphold the same …
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8 years ago

TESTIMONY: AIESHA TURMAN

By RBGM Staff • Work, Creativity, Gratitude/Happiness

Aiesha Turman is an Interdisciplinary PhD candidate at Union Institute & University where her dissertation foregrounds the work of Black women writers as essential texts that act as blueprints for A …
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8 years ago

TESTIMONY: NATALIE DAISE

By RBGM Staff • Relationships, Religion/Spirituality, Creativity

For more than 30 years, Natalie Daise (November 1960-) has developed and facilitated interactive learning experiences for educators, students, and audiences in schools, universities, conferences, and other venues. Her belief …
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