More than a walk

I'm not a paid spokeswoman for the girltrek movement but I am a believer in community activism. In that spirit i would like to thank the  organizations founders Morgan and Vanessa for the work and mission they have embarked on with their trekker initiatives.
You see I'm not just out on the street walking and running to work off stess but also to meet people and form ties to the community. We now live in a time when society has locked itself behind the doors of their homes and work. So when an email turned up in my box on a Thursday i knew it wasn't the usaul Friday fire message that would encourage me to make the most out of the weekend. Nope these women pulled out the big torch. Right at the top of the page was a paragraph that summed it all up.

"We walk to heal our bodies,inspire our families and to take back the streets of our neighborhoods."

Hello, it is in itself a powerful statement.We are a community that has had to reinvent ourselves more than once in the struggle to survive in America. There are individuals all across this country who are quietly going about doing just that. They are taking on the task of making their corner of the world better not by forgetting the past but incorporating traditions into modern society. There are also those who are finding  ways to connect all those dots in a manner that benefits everyone.
African American women have long been sick and tired of being sick and tired of this stuggle because that's exactly whats breaking our bodies down. We are the last line of defense for our communities.We are the cooks who must take on the issue of proper nutrition in the home. We are the educators who must teach our children not to turn their frustration inwards on themselves,family,or towns but rather to express frustration by freely and civilly talking about what troubles them. We seek not to limit what they can do or who they love in this world based on our own fears, failures and experiences. Instead we share our triumphs which are a compilation of all those things wrapped in the support and knowledge of our life lessons.
We do this because in most cases we are the bread winners and the only cornerstones of the families. So it's important we maintain our health.
Oue wellness is the one thing that is both a mental and physical issue. The key to maintaining it is by understanding the connection to a balanced lifestyle starts with letting go of the bad habits.  Seeking out fast food and sitting around interacting with electronics devices living the couch potato  lifestyle is killing young hearts.
So we gather ourselves together as mothers, sisters, wives and daughters to strengthen bonds on the way to better health and community activism.
I am proud to be a piece in this mosiac we call a community. No this is not some monolithic gathering of radical women. We are just trying to reclaim the peace and harmony we deserve.
So when folks outside of the community make judgements about who we are, we say not so fast. We are all Gods children and we shall not be removed from being considered a part of humanity.We will continue to lift our voices and give praise for allowing us to make those walks.
In fact on runs through the neighborhood  i pray for my safety and that of my improving health. Im thankful to greet people from all backgrounds and age groups.Well to be honest i see very few from the twenty and under crowd. Yet as I'm moving i always think one spirit at a time. No matter what the naysayers of the world think I am all about sharing joy. If i inspire one person regardless of who they are to just get up and move I'd be happy.
Its magical to meet new individuals and discover new places in the city everytime i go out on these strolls.
Ask me how this is activism and id say,I walk because it is my way of supporting the community. If i haven't asked you to come walk with me its because i haven't met you yet.