A guardian queen, if you will

Kara Walker’s piece “A Subtlety” is the launch point of this post: a reflection upon the restoration of the Black-woman archetype and her/its importance to humanity.

One look upon Kara Walker’s work opens portals leading to truths of both past and present. In this larger-than-life sculpture, Kara depicts a modern rendition of a Sphinx-like figure. We have the likeness of a woman crafted out of all-white sugar. The woman has a “mammy” resemblance to her, accentuated by the adornment of her crown with a scarf — something you may be used to seeing atop the head of Harriet Tubman. Her bust is large and exposed, as if she were offering her bosom for suckling to any onlooker. In place of an animal body, the figure maintains its womanly-curvaceous physique. All capped off by a vagina, exposed from the rear view of the sculpture. Depending on the frame of reference of the viewer, we have a hyper-sexualized image of a woman. All the while, the woman has a smirk on her face. Almost like she is taunting the observer to explore the depths that she has to offer. As if to say, “You can scratch the surface but you haven’t the slightest idea how deep it can get.”

We can juxtapose this image with that of the actual Sphinx. The image of a regal guardian spirit that stands poised to protect her city — from both a spiritual standpoint and an authoritative standpoint. A guardian queen, if you will.

The two images, when seen side-by-side, depict how far the Black Woman has been exiled from her throne. And also the moral degradation that has gone hand-in-hand with this vanquishing of her archetype.... The archetype of the Black Woman creates a universally visceral response in all who experience it. Her presence is never subtle. It is encompassing, and this is evident on both a conscious and subconscious level. The vibrations that her spirit gives off are undeniable and often command respect in one fashion or another.

She has fallen from the Creator-of-Man era…to the Queen, the Ruler-of-Man era...To the Mammy, the Caretaker-of-Man era…. To the hyper-sexualized, the Whore-of-Man era…

And along with her fall from grace has come the destruction of societal morality and spirituality. Yet her fall has not been of a natural order. It has been carried out in a systematic manner by the would-be ruler of the present era. Her ruling archetype has been assaulted and bombarded by her rival and polar opposite: that of the White Male. A patriarch-dominated society whose morality encompasses but is not limited to: greed, avarice, licentiousness, wanton gluttony, selfishness, and anything else that appeals to one’s flesh-induced desires.

This patriarchal archetype, whether it be consciously or subconsciously, is perpetually attempting to strip the Black female archetype of all power and authority. Yet as “Subtlety” has proven, you can change her image but she will never leave her post.

As for popular culture: there is a relentless assault upon the motif of the Black Woman. On the one level, she is mocked, but on a deeper level, she can’t help but to be imitated, as she is the purveyor of all civilization.

There is an attempt to bring about a new way among the people of this planet. The key to providing the perfect segue into this way of being is the removal of our humanity. And the cornerstone of our humanity is the Black woman. There is an attempt to usher in a new era. One in which man is devoid of spirituality. Devoid of uniqueness. Devoid of his bond with the universe. Supplanting himself as above (or without integration into) nature. Almost as though we were transfiguring ourselves into machines….

Our humanity is what is at stake. There is a war going on that no man is safe from. And if we don’t protect our guardians on the most basic of levels, how do we expect them to protect us on the most critical of levels: that which cannot be seen and is ever-changing? How long can they stand guard if they lack a sense of Self? And if we lack a sense of perspective?

[Post edited for length]

Blog: Inglorious Resurrection

Post Title: Rebuilding the Black Woman: Guardians of Our Souls

Post Date: November 26, 2014

Author: Jack E. Mohr | From: Spring Valley | Blogging since: 2014