The Sanctity of Black Women and Significance of Sept. 30th

Originally Published: Sept 26, 2017

There has been much conversation about the Florida March for Black Women taking place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish Calendar.

Locally, we understand the holiness of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur completes the annual period known as the Days of Awe which is about more than confessing our sins. It is an opportunity to envision our lives and our communities if we each become a little more caring with each passing year.

As stated by staff and Chair of the Black Women’s Blueprint: “September 30th is sacred. September 30, 1919 was the culmination of the infamous “Red Summer” when Black sharecroppers dared to organize themselves as the Progressive Farmers and Household Union of America, to demand better pay from white plantation owners. In response, white mobs went on a state sanctioned killing spree. It is estimated that upwards of 240 Black organizers were massacred that day. This Massacre was one of many in a wave of racist lynchings in nearly 36 cities that rocked the nation. At the center of this narrative is that by the “end” of the Jim Crow Era, more than 150 Black women and girls were also lynched and evidence reveals many of them had been raped first. These Black women and men fought, against all odds, for the protection of their bodies, families, communities, and freedom. On September 30th we march for ourselves, for our rights, and we mourn our ancestors, their lives and honor their resistance in our time. Their courage reverberates through generations and inspires our struggle today.”

Yom Kippur is the moment in Jewish faith where folks dedicate their mind, body, and soul to reconciliation with God, our fellow human beings, and themselves. Folks are commanded to turn to those whom we have wronged first, acknowledging their sins and the pain they might have caused. As such, we all must acknowledge that white supremacy and patriarchy are sins that, if they reside within us, should be atoned for.

We demand acknowledgement of the sanctity of the lives of Black women, girls, and femmes. Our lives are sacred and deserve to be protected on September 30th and beyond.

If we are truly to reconcile with God and our fellow human beings, we must be in community together with one another. This requires constant learning and learning of sinful behavior, including white supremacy.

We are asking that our Jewish family stand in solidarity with our Black sisters and denounce all that has subjected us to subhuman conditions in this world. That is the message of Yom Kippur.

Black women are some of the most marginalized among us and need your reconciliation and action.

And for those who chose not to attend and are observing this holy holiday, we ask that you spend this Day of Atonement decrying white supremacy, keeping us in your prayers and donating resources if you can (www.crowdrise.com/marchforblackwomenfl).

Read the original statement here:
https://www.mamablack.org/single-post/2017/09/18/Black-Women-Respond-With-Statement-on-March-for-Black-Women-and-Yom-Kippur