According to Ijeoma Umebinyuo, we must focus on dismantling what she calls, the ‘culture of silence’, which we as women have been subject to and have been taught to live by. In her TedTalk, she discusses this notion of silence, and the poisonous effects of keeping quiet – so we do not draw attention to ourselves, so we do not speak about our trauma. But more than this, Umebinyuo speaks of how, as women who are strong, wear silence as a ‘badge of honour’. She discusses how we are taught to perform this silence in our daily lives, but, stresses how imperative it is to speak about our trauma as women – to speak up and speak out. Similarly, Audre Lorde speaks in her article about transforming silence into language and action, and the necessity of this for women of colour. She emphasises how being vocal, despite possible criticism and conflict, can bridge the differences between us. Her article in itself, is an attempt to break the silence and to be visible. I think this is such an important issue to discuss, because I personally, as a white woman, struggle with being vocal in fear of criticism and judgement. I have so often been made to feel that my struggles, and my voice are insignificant.
With this being said, I feel it is relevant to discuss Umebinyuo’s poem Chewing Flowers, as is so tenderly addresses the notion of silence, and speaks on behalf of the women who cannot speak for themselves. She begins the first three stanzas stating, ‘I am writing for the women’, and in doing so, she gives these women a voice, she acknowledges their pain and their struggles, and with each stanza, Umebinyuo acknowledges the different battles that women experience. Poems like this this one are so vital if we are to dismantle the ‘culture’ of silence, which Umebinyuo speaks of. Pieces like this give these women a space to speak, even if the words are not their own. It is an important first step.
