#Bold – more than just a hashtag, an action.

i started using the hashtag #BlackIsBold in 2014. it was just that, a hashtag. this year it’s a call to act. for me. for others. reminded of Urban Bush Women’s concept of the “warrior in your back pocket”, i found this image:

Ahosi or Mino (Dahomey Amazons)

“The Dahomey Amazons or Mino were an all-female military regiment of the Fon people of the Kingdom of Dahomey in the present-day Republic of Benin. They existed from the 17th century to the end of the 19th century. While European narratives refer to the women soldiers as “Amazons,” because of their similarity to the semi-mythical Amazons of ancient Anatolia, they called themselves Ahosi (king’s wives) or Mino (our mothers) in the Fon language. 

European encroachment into West Africa gained pace during the latter half of the 19th century. In 1890, King Behanzin used his Mino fighters alongside the male soldiers to battle the French forces during the First Franco-Dahomean War. The French army lost several battles to them because of the female warriors’ skill in battle.” [From Atlanta Black Star]

bold is not necessarily brash. it can be regal. it is feminine. and it is “armed and ready”. these warrior queens are just that. poised. beautiful. and not afraid. alongside others, they show their formidable skills. they inspire me to be bold.

#BlackIsBold #ThreeWordChallenge