Photo of Black Women Radicals’ executive director Jaimee Swift’s mother, Aretha Swift (left) and grandmother, Barbara Sawyer (right). Photo Credit: Kerrin Lyons.

Black Women Radicals and Philadelphia PrintWorks “Black Feminists Taught Me” t-shirt capsule and collaboration pays homage the Black women and gender expansive people who inspire us, touch our lives, shape our politics, and teach us – in a myriad of ways – about life, love, leadership, and legacy. Black Women Radicals’ executive director, Jaimee A. Swift, reflects on the Black women in her life-her grandmother and mother–who taught and continue to teach her.

I cannot think about a time in my life where Black women were not at the center. While many cite Black women academics, organizers, and educators such as Dr. Angela Y. Davis, Barbara Smith, or bell hooks as the foundation of their Black feminist politic, for me, the first Black Women Radicals that I have ever known and were introduced to are my grandmother, Barbara Sawyer, and my mother, Aretha Swift. Although my grandmother and mother would not identify themselves as Black feminists, it is because of their wisdom, triumphs, teachings, and even tribulations that have and continue to shape my Black feminist praxis and ethos.

It is because of their love, prayers, and sacrifices that I am the woman I am today.

My grandmother was born in 1942, in the small city of Marvell located in the state of Arkansas. At the age of nine, my grandmother lost her mother–my great-grandmother, Naomi–who died suddenly from a heart attack while sharecropping. Unfortunately, my grandmother did not have the time, space, or even peace to grieve the loss of her mother. Instead, she – like so many Black girls, women, and femmes - was sadly put in the position of caretaking and raising her five siblings – my great aunts and uncles – by herself. And later on her life, my grandmother raised five children – my mother and her siblings – by herself as well.

Video Description: Black Women Radicals’ executive director, Jaimee A. Swift, and her siblings–Joshua Swift and Alainna Swift, reflect on the Black women in their lives–their grandmother, Barbara Sawyer, and mother, Aretha Swift–and honor them for what they have taught and continue to teach them. Video by J Media Productions, LLC.

Knowing first-hand the harsh realities of white supremacy, racism, sexism, colorism, and the legacy of enslavement by way of sharecropping, my grandmother did not want her children to know and experience the perils of picking cotton to survive. Instead, she took her children from Marvell, Arkansas and migrated to St. Louis, Missouri, and then to West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to create a better life. Later, she relocated to Norristown, Pennsylvania and then moved back to Philly–this time in the West Oak Lane section of the city–where she has lived for more than three decades. When I asked her what led her to migrate to Philly, she shared that “The Holy Spirit told her that He would make a path clear for her and would provide for her and her family”, if she came to the city.

And that He did.

This is why honoring Black women and gender expansive people from Philadelphia - the City of Brotherly Love - for the “Black Feminist Taught Me” capsule and collaboration with Philadelphia PrintWorks, was so important to me–because Philly is a place of refuge for my family because my grandmother, my North Star, resides there. Although I was not born in Philly, it is a city where some of my fondest memories remain and are forever archived in my mind and heart.

Image of Barbara Sawyer, grandmother of Jaimee Swift, Black Women Radicals’ executive director. Photo Credit: Kerrin Lyons.

I remember going to my grandmother’s house for the weekend and sleeping next to her in her warm and neatly kept bed. I remember the alarm clock ringing at five in the morning, as she would (and still does!) rise early to pray to our Lord, our God, Jesus Christ. Later, the delightful smell of homemade hushpuppies, eggs, and sausage would fill the hallway; her bellowing voice calling me to breakfast while sternly reminding me to wash my hands and to not run in her house. I remember my grandmother, who is always on the go, saying to me, “C’mon, Jaimee–Let’s get in the wind!”, which was code for us to take a car ride together. I remember those rides; one, in particular where we stopped on Kelly Drive, along the Schuylkill River, running hand-in-hand to see the geese.

I remember my grandmother’s soul food restaurant, House of Plenty, located in the Kingsessing neighborhood of southwest Philly. The memories of my brother, Joshua, and I greedily eating our grandmother’s collard greens, yams, fried chicken, and my personal favorite, macaroni and cheese, and trying not to sully our Sunday best outfits are seared in my mind. I remember skipping down the block with my brother to get watermelon water ice, Lil’ Romeo Rap Snacks, and purple hug drinks from my great-uncle’s water ice shop, which was located on the same block as my grandmother’s house. My great-uncle would host block parties every summer. The block was so alive then–teeming with laughter, community, and so much joy.

Left to right: Joshua Swift, Aretha Swift, Barbara Sawyer, Jaimee Swift, and Alainna Swift. Photo Credit: Kerrin Lyons.

Our trips to the diner that was located off of Broad and North 65th Street to get hot wings were some of the best. My grandma is really particular about her hot wings, and would adamantly remind the waiter to have the cook fry her wings hard–just the way she likes them. Another one of my favorite memories was going to the West Oak Lane Jazz Festival. When I was a teenager, I was an intern for the local newspapers in the area and one of my assignments was covering the Jazz Festival. One of my highlights was interviewing Roy Ayers and seeing Chaka Khan perform.

Moreover, I remember fondly my grandmother’s process of getting ready for church on Sunday. The day before–on Saturday–she would carefully, tenderly, and patiently iron her well-curated and sharp church outfits. My grandmother–who most know as Mother Sawyer–is essentially, a fashion icon. She takes so much pride in looking and feeling her best. I remember being in her room, watching Forest Gump (one of her favorite movies) or her Westerns (she loves John Wayne) and gazing at her every move as she prepared for church. My favorite part of the process was when she put on her “smell goods” – or perfume – because she would then spray some on me.

Needless to say, Philly has and will always have a special place in my heart.

Left to right: Alainna Swiftt; Aretha Swift, and Jaimee Swift. Photo Credit: Kerrin Lyons.

I’ve learned so much from my grandmother and mother, who is a miracle in her own right. A two-time kidney recipient, my mother teaches me the true meaning of love, compassion, and friendship. It is interesting that I can now say friendship because when I was five or six years-old, I asked my mother if she was my friend and she said no. I cried. But now, I can truly say that my mother is my best friend. She has taught me that giving and kindness should be at the core of my praxis and faith. My mother has imparted on me the importance of compassion, grace, tenderness, and justice for everyone. Both my grandmother and mother have taught me the power of prayer and that I am victorious in all things because The Lord is on my side.

However, even with all the beautiful things they have taught me, I think it is important to note that in order to be my most authentic and true self, I have had to also unlearn some of their teachings and lessons as well. Given the patriarchal, misogynistic, anti-Black, and white supremacist world we live, there are some teachings and traditions that have been passed down from our grandmothers, mothers, and biological and chosen kin that are oppressive and harmful.

Image of Aretha Swift and Barbara Sawyer’s hands. Photo Credit: Kerrin Lyons.

Unfortunately and oftentimes, the reason that some of these harmful traditions are passed down to the next generation is because our grandmothers and mothers were victims and survivors of those same abusive values, expectations, and standards. We must decolonize these lessons that are rooted in violence and trauma and transform them to establish the healthy boundaries, relationships, love, and care we so desperately need and deserve.

I am so grateful to the Black women in my life–who I know and those who I have never had the opportunity to meet–who loved me when I did not have the capacity to love myself.

So to my great-grandmother, Naomi Jackson;

So to my maternal grandmother, Barbara Sawyer;

To my paternal grandmother, Jean Blackwell;

To my mother, Aretha Swift;

To my sister, Alainna Swift;

To Mother Flanagan, Mother Brenda, Miss Doris, Sister Donna James (my favorite teacher),

Thank you for teaching me that I come from a formidable lineage of power, resistance, triumph, and grace.

For more information about the “Black Feminists Taught Me” t-shirt capsule and collaboration between Black Women Radicals and Philadelphia PrintWorks, please visit here.

To purchase a t-shirt in the capsule, please visit here.

A Love Note to the Black Women Who Teach Me