August 2015

WElevate. WEpromote. WEinspire.

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Tribute to Sandra Bland Life as a Black Woman: When Justice won’t Speak For Us

If We Remained Silent Welcomed Interruptions Following His Lead

RAE LEWIS-THORNTON Rae Lewis-Thornton is an Emmy award winning AIDS Activist, Life Coach, Award Winning Blogger, Social Media Expert, Author, Jewelry Designer and Tea Connoisseur. RLT has been living with HIV for 32 years and AIDS for 22.

She lectures world-wide on the topic of living with HIV/AIDS, challenging stereotypes and myths surrounding this disease.

Anniversary Issue|August Issue 2015

WomensElevationMagazine.com

in this issue

IN EVERY ISSUE 4 from the founder Speak truthfully & honestly, use social media to make a change

6 if we remained silent Where would we be if our grandparents remained silent? Where will we be if we do?

12 thank you We are celebrating 3 years of WE Magazine and we thank you for your continue support

16 life as a black woman We have to deal with the problems of being a woman, but also the challenges of being black

20 recipes These scrumptious recipes will leave your mouth watering

38 spiritual corner Welcome Interruptions - Following His Lead

FEATURES 18 in memory A tribute to Sandra Bland

24 rae lewis-thornton Rae Lewis-Thornton sits down to talk with us about the misconceptions, stereotypes & challenges surrounding AIDS

in this issue

contributors

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS Kara Frison WE Magazine contributing writer www.softwordsbrighteyes.blogspot.com

Aronya Waller WE Magazine contributing writer

Zalika Brown Food Contributor

Shannon Clark Graphic Designer www.srichardscreative.com

Stock art courtesy of freepik.com and freeimages.com

WElevate. WEpromote. WEinspire. www.WomensElevationMagazine.com

From the Founder

DELISHA SYLVESTER This month we keep with the theme on enriching the minds of others, inspiring you to press on, and remembering those that have fallen. This issue is dedicated to Sandra Bland.

She is a woman who has made waves across the internet for her resilience to share the truth regardless of who it may offend. She is a woman that lived and died while preaching her belief that her life mattered, that black lives matter. Her untimely death caused us to rise up and ask why? As we search for answers on what happened to Bland we are inspired by her words. We remember that she believed in the power of social media and how it could be catalyst for change. Therefore, we will use our outlet to reach out to the masses to speak truthfully and honestly, regardless of who it may offend.

As always‌ Happy Reading

DeLisha

4 | Women’s Elevation Magazine

“I don’t fear death; I fear remaining silent in the face of injustice. I am young and I want to live. But I say to those who would eliminate my voice: I am ready, wherever and whenever you might strike. You can cut down the flower, but nothing can stop the coming of the spring.”

— Malalai Joya, activist, writer and former Parliamentarian in Afghanistan

6 | Women’s Elevation Magazine

If We Remained Silent‌

By Aronya Waller

If we remained silent, where would we be?

This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act and the March from Selma, and I wonder if either would have occurred if nobody spoke up. I speak loudly against police brutality, social inequity, and racial inequality. Yet, I know we have progressed since the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and the 1960s. If Martin Luther

Women’s Elevation Magazine | 7

King, Jr. remained silent, would

the social injustice that was ignored

we know the value of a dream? If

by

Malcolm X remained silent, would

examined social, economic, and

we know about our Black power?

racial inequalities, while still covering

If Angela Davis remained silent,

lynchings, marches, and court cases.

would I know that a Black woman

Many of the reporters for the black

can and should have a voice—one

weeklies risked their lives to cover

that advocates for reform, one that

the Civil Rights Movement (Roberts

speaks for the oppressed, one that

and Klibanoff). Yet, if they remained

demands change?

silent, the Civil Rights Movement

mainstream

media.

They

could have been nothing more than If we remained silent, would there

some unknown protest that never

be a President Barack Obama?

gained any traction.

The

Movement

Fifty years since the Civil Rights

succeeded and had such a large

Movement, our world has changed.

impact because people chose not

I have experienced more equality

to remain silent. Even when the

in my 35 years than my grand-

world seemed against them, they

parents or my parents. Yet, that

opened their mouth and spoke up

does not mean I am considered

for equality and justice. Though the

equal to all in this society. We do

establishment may have said, “be

not live in a post-racial society

quiet,” “sit still,” or “just be pretty,”

where our skin color no longer

activists rebelled and took a stand

matters.

for what was right, decent, and

cannot remain silent. We still live

humane. One voice can ignite the

in a country that allows a gender

passion, but it takes many to fuel

wage gap. Until that ends, we

a movement.

cannot remain silent. We still live

Civil

Rights

Until

that

occurs,

we

in a society where Black women When we discuss the Civil Rights

are not likely to get media attention

Movement, we often fail to mention

when they are murdered, especially

one set of voices that delivered

when it is at the hands of

the message—the media. From its

law enforcement. Until we are

inception, the Black press, generally

recognized,

known as black weeklies, covered

heard, we cannot remain silent.

8 | Women’s Elevation Magazine

acknowledged,

and

We no longer have to rely on black

and continues the investigation,

weeklies to start a movement. The

announces the boycott, or promotes

catalysts for our movements are

the protest. In addition, we now

now digital. All we need to do is

have digital magazines, such as

create a hashtag and share on

Women’s Elevation Magazine, that

platforms such as Facebook, Twitter,

constantly seek these stories before

and Instagram to get a cause

they are the top trending topic.

trending. One voice…one stroke… one post can light the fire, and our

As a writer, one of my favorite

collective likes, shares, tweets, and

scriptures is Proverbs 18:21, “Death

reposts fuels the movement. It is then

and life are in the power of the

that the media picks up the story

tongue, And those who love it will

Women’s Elevation Magazine | 9

eat its fruit” (NKJV). The Message

How

did

you

make

change?

Bible translates the scripture as,

How did you make progress? You

“Words kill, words give life; they’re

didn’t. You left it there for someone

either poison or fruit—you choose”

else to do. I choose to write for

(Peterson). In other words, there are

good…to make change. I will not

consequences to what you speak…

remain silent.

you reap what you sow. If you speak for the good, good will come; if

Similarly, you cannot remain silent

you speak for the bad, darkness

if

will follow. I also think this applies

advocacy,

to silence. If you sow silence, you

But, if your mission in life is to allow

will reap a harvest of nothingness…

everything to remain status quo,

emptiness…a barren plot. You sat

then just sit down and shut up.

there, said nothing, and did nothing.

Please, however, do not take credit

How did you make your impact?

work for my work.

you

value

service,

and

social

progress, action.

References Peterson, Eugene H. The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2002. Print.

Roberts, Gene, and Hank Klibanoff. The Race Beat: The Press, the Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation. New York: Knopf, 2006. Print.

The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments: NKJV, New King James Version. Nashville: Nelson Bibles, 2006. Print.

10 | Women’s Elevation Magazine

Shannon Clark graphic designer 252.622.9344 | shannon@srichardscreative.com

Are you in need of quality graphic design work at an affordable price? If your answer is “YES!!” then you should definitely contact me. I have multiple years of ad agency and magazine publishing experience. I am willing to work with your budget and can charge either by the hour or per project. Contact me at shannon@srichardscreative.com today and let’s get started!

Women’s Elevation Magazine | 11

WElevate.

WEpromote.

WEinspire.

12 | Women’s Elevation Magazine

THANK YOU For support our efforts over the past three years!

Take a look at some of our issues from the past.

We’ve interviewed some awesome people over the past three years and we look forward to doing the same in the future.

Women’s Elevation Magazine | 13

14 | Women’s Elevation Magazine

WElevate.

WEpromote.

WEinspire.

Women’s Elevation Magazine | 15

life as a

black woman: when justice won’t speak for us

By DeLisha Sylvester

16 | Women’s Elevation Magazine

Painting by Frank Morrison

If she wasn’t so arrogant; if she

to be a black woman has been

would have just put her cigarette

misconstrued throughout history.

out; why was she in that alley?

We have been overly sexualized

Why did she come out of the

because of our shape; everything

house? Why didn’t she just take

from our hair to our attitude has

her medication? Black women

been stereotyped. So what do we

are being killed by police and

do about it?

the

underwhelming

response

is shocking. Should I really be

What can I say to someone who

surprised that instead of asking

looks at my name on a piece of

why these unarmed women were

paper and automatically assumes

killed, we create excuses for their

I’m uneducated? What can I say

deaths?

Rekia

to someone who believes that

Boyd. Shelley Frey. Kendra James.

all black women are aggressive,

The list of names goes on and on,

uncouth, loud, overtly sexualized,

but I wonder do you know them?

or too high strung? We have been

Do you recognize their names?

dealing with these stereotypes

Do you know what happened

for years and it only seems to

to them? Is justice speaking for

get worse. The moment these

them? Life as a Black woman has

stereotypes threaten my existence

always been a balancing act. You

on earth there’s an issue. The

are first black and then a woman,

moment that people would rather

separated into two. You have to

make excuses for my killer there’s

be down for the causes that are

an issue. So I ask when will justice

associated with being black, and

speak for us? When will the system

deal with the issues of being a

work in our favor? Will black

woman. The idea of what it means

women continue to die in silence?

Sandra

Bland.

Women’s Elevation Magazine | 17

18 | Women’s Elevation Magazine

In Loving Memory Of

Sandra Bland If you haven’t heard about Sandra Bland then you haven’t been paying attention.

Although I know that Sandra Bland is just one of many black women who have been in police custody and somehow died it hits closer to home. Sandra Bland was my soror and though I did not personally know her it can be said that she is me. Therefore, we cannot let her messages die. We cannot let her death be in vain. We must find the answer to the question: What happened to Sandra Bland? What happened that day and why? We need to continue to ask why and stand up against injustices or we will continue to have Sandra Bland’s everywhere. Rest in Peace Soror Bland.

Sandy Speaks - Quotes from Sandra Bland “Our legal system and the way our country is run is based upon discrimination.”

“So, for y’all that can sit around and say all lives matter, I want you to go, put it on a poster, and stand out on a corner somewhere. If we can get enough white people to show that all lives matter, maybe they’ll stop killing our black brothers. Cuz obviously, that’s what it’s going to take; for the white people to get up and get tired of black people [alone] saying black lives matter. So if y’all want it to stop, you get out there and do something about it.”

AT FIRST THEY USED A NOOSE, NOW ALL THEY DO IS SHOOT #BlackLivesMatter #SandySpeaks Sandra Bland Speaks – God Blocked It. Whatever situation that you’re dealing with God can block it, and it will be okay.

“This thing that I’m holding in my hand, this telephone, this camera. It is quite powerful.

Social media is powerful. We can do something with this. If we want a change, we can really, truly make it happen.”

Women’s Elevation Magazine | 19

20 | Women’s Elevation Magazine

Spicy Tomatoes with Eggs

Instructions 1. In a 10” skillet over medium high heat, brown chorizo.

2. Add onions, garlic and jalapenos to sausage and cook until soft about 3-5 minutes

Package of Spanish chorizo, casing removed.

1 medium onion, chopped 3 teaspoons garlic, minced 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced 1 can (28 oz.) of whole tomatoes 2½ tablespoons sugar

3. Pour in whole tomatoes, add sugar, cayenne and salt and pepper to taste. Using a potato smasher, crush some of the whole tomatoes. Bring to a gentle simmer 4. Lower heat to medium and crack the eggs in one at a time and simmer until they are cooked way you want them. For runny yolks, about 5-6 minutes Dish and serve hot with bread for dipping

¼ teaspoon cayenne 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes Salt and pepper to taste 6 large eggs

Women’s Elevation Magazine | 21

Baked Lemon Mustard Chicken INGREDIENTS 8 bone-in chicken thighs ½ cup olive oil Juice and zest of 3 large lemons AND 1 additional lemon thinly sliced, for garnish 2 garlic cloves, minced 3 tablespoons of course Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons of red chili flakes Salt and black pepper

22 | Women’s Elevation Magazine

Instructions 1. Pat chicken thighs dry, then place in bowl or plastic storage bags.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, and mustard.

Pour over chicken and season generously with kosher salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes.

Cover and marinate in fridge at least one hour up to 24 hours.

3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange chicken, skin side up in a roasting pan.

Place slices of lemon on each thigh. Roast uncovered 40 minutes, or until skin is golden and crispy and chicken is cooked through.

Asian Quinoa Instructions Combine all the ingredients in a separate bowl and mix well. Stir into the quinoa mixture.

Serve warm or room temperature

INGREDIENTS ½ cup broccoli, finely diced 1 cup quinoa, cooked according to package directions ½ small red onion, diced ¼ cup grated carrots ¼ cup chopped green onions 2 tablespoons peanuts, chopped For the Dressing: 1 lime, zest and juice 1 teaspoon sesame seeds 1 tablespoon gluten free tamari 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 inch piece of ginger, minced

Women’s Elevation Magazine | 23

RAE LEWIS-THORNTON

Rae Lewis-Thornton is an Emmy award winning AIDS Activist, Life Coach, Award Winning Blogger, Social Media Expert, Author, Jewelry Designer and Tea Connoisseur. RLT has been living with HIV for 32 years and AIDS for 22. She lectures world-wide on the topic of living with HIV/AIDS, challenging stereotypes and myths surrounding this disease. We sat down to talk with her regarding her life and story.

24 | Women’s Elevation Magazine

Women’s Elevation Magazine | 25

WE

Magazine:

I

just

want

to

was the spring of 87 when I found out I

commend you for your work and

was infected, and at that time we

sharing your life story. I mentioned

were only six years into the pandemic.

to my mother that I was going to

So I walked away in secret and in

interview you, and she remembered

shame. The first seven years I told

when you first shared your story in

five people that I was infected, not

Essence Magazine. Your story and

including the men that I had dated.

your life have touched people that

So I just basically kept my infection

you haven’t even met.

close to me, close to my heart. I wasn’t getting ready to tell people and get

Let’s jump right in; I know that you’ve

discriminated against.

been an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness, but for the readers that

In 1992 I transitioned into having AIDS,

may not know your story share your

and I started to get sick. That’s when I

background.

started to tell my story. Systematically I told one group of friends and just

R. Lewis-Thornton: I’ve been infected

continued on. It felt like tons of bricks

for 32 years with HIV. I’ve known my

had been lifted off of my shoulders, but I

HIV status for 29 of those 32 years. I

wasn’t a speaker or an AIDS advocates

donated blood and what I thought

in any type of way. I was still in politics.

was a thank you letter turned out to

I worked on a couple of congressional

be a letter telling me that something

and national campaigns, but I really

was wrong. I went to the Red Cross

wasn’t interested in shifting my life.

after I got the letter, and they told me

I just continued to go about my life.

that I had HIV. I was 23 at the time,

Back then the life expectancy of

and it was really not the best time to

someone living with AIDS was about

be told you were HIV infected. There

three years, so once I made the

were no medicines for it at the time. It

transition to AIDS I figured I was pretty

26 | Women’s Elevation Magazine

much on that timeline. I thought I was

asked me would I be on the cover of

dying so I just started telling people,

Essence Magazine. That changed the

and about six months after that some

ball game for me. I became a national

asked me to speak at a high school.

speaker, and the rest was history.

They were looking for someone that wasn’t gay or on drugs to come

WE Magazine: That’s great that you

and speak.

have been able to use your life to inspire others.

I

wasn’t

sure,

but

I

eventually agreed. When

R. Lewis-Thornton: God’s

I started to speak at the

given me a unique gift to

school

that

be able to talk about my

students were still there

life in a way that enriches

even after hearing me

others. During that time I

speak. I had a teacher

was still thinking that I was

come and tell me that

headed towards death.

they were skipping class

There

to hear me speak again.

where my T-cell count

The next day I went back

was as low as 8, and I was

and I had room packed

basically on my way out

to hear me again. It was

of here. My doctor was

I

noticed

was

one

point

there that I knew that this

incredible; she just kept giving me what

was what God wanted me

was next. No matter how complicated

to do. I couldn’t fake it, I couldn’t

the regiment was I never missed a

shake it so I quit my well-paying job

beat. I did everything that I was asked

and started speaking locally at high

to do. It was team of us and God that

schools in Chicago. About six months

has kept me here to live as long as

after that I met Susan Taylor and she

I have.

Women’s Elevation Magazine | 27

The change in treatment came about

deal with any negativity from family

1996, but before then you were really

and friends?

going to die from this disease. Medicine was very, very mediocre, but we just

R. Lewis-Thornton: You know what, when

crossed every “t: and dotted every “i.”

I first went public people were shocked

I just continue to do the work both with

more than anything. People were like

the medicine and through speaking.

“How had I lived with this disease for so long, by myself?” The fact that I

WE Magazine: Do you still do

hadn’t disclosed to anyone, people

speaking engagements?

were shocked. It was really a two sides to a coin situation. On one side people

R.

Lewis-Thornton:

Well,

when

the

were shocked and supportive, and on

engagements

dried

up

the other side people gossiped. People

about 10 years ago with the shift in the

gossiped about the men that slept,

economy I switched my efforts to social

they wanted to know who I slept just

media. I still speak whenever someone

all kinds of stuff. So I experienced that,

asks me to. These days they tend to bring

but I took it with a grain of salt because

the younger speakers because they

going public was the best thing I could

want to keep the discussion “sexy and

have done. It felt like tons of weight

young,” even though I have a wealth of

had lifted off of my shoulders.

speaking

knowledge. I use all social media. I blog, I talk, I Instagram, and tweet. I use it as

Then when I got married people

a way to continue to do the work that

couldn’t believe that someone would

I do because I’m still here, and God still

marry someone with HIV so they

has work for me to do.

thought that he had to be positive too.

He wasn’t. Then when I divorced him

WE Magazine: You mentioned while

they wondered why I would divorce a

you were talking that you were

good man. I was thinking “Chile please

afraid to tell your story at first. Did you

if AIDS hasn’t killed me, he ain’t going

28 | Women’s Elevation Magazine

to kill me either.” Really what I found is

WE Magazine: One of the other things

that there’s really nothing you can do

that you mentioned while you were

to please people so you have to listen

speaking was that people wanted

to your soul. You have to operate from

you to speak because you were

within and to hell with the rest. You

drug free and you weren’t a gay

can’t get caught up in the craziness

man. We still have a misconception

of others. I get a lot of criticism not

that this disease is still the “gay

because I have AIDS, but because of

man’s” disease or the disease of the

my transparency. My transparency

“DL” man.

makes others uncomfortable. People live in this make believe world, but I live

R. Lewis-Thornton: There really is a lot

in the reality of this disease.

of misinformation about this disease.

The reality is this, now let’s be clear,

WE Magazine: I think it’s good that

there are still more infected men who

you have a strong sense about

have sex with men in the United States.

yourself to be able to do that.

Homosexual men still tend to be the number one cases that we see, and

R. Lewis-Thornton: I really do. I like who

it’s not because their gay. It’s because

I am. It took me a long time to like me,

how they have sex is one of the easiest

and now that I do, I do. I live in that

modes of transference. The problem is

peace. I live in that level of comfort.

that everyone thinks that it’s someone

“My transparency makes others uncomfortable. People live in this make believe world, but I live in the reality of this disease.”

Women’s Elevation Magazine | 29

else’s disease. So nobody wants to take

I believe was number five on the list

ownership of their behavior because

of cities with high infection rates.

everyone wants to believe that it’s someone else’s problem. If you believe

R. Lewis-Thornton: This is the deal.

that, then your body is safe. In actuality

The reality is that over 80% of women

the only thing that keeps you safe is

infected in this country are infected

a condom.

through

having

heterosexual

sex.

Now, how men become infected is In the scheme of things cases of women

still heavily led by men who have sex

continue to grow, especially within the

with other men, but there is still heavy

black community. We have seen a

drug use. This is the bottom line, if the

decrease in women overall in the past

penis is not in your pocket you have

year, but black women continue to

no idea what it does when it’s not with

lead the cases in women in this country.

you. Because we don’t know, why do we put ourselves at risk? Why do we

WE Magazine: I am glad you’re

still have unprotected sex in the 21st

talking about it because the number

century? Women live in a false sense of

I got from the national website is

reality about what will keep them safe.

alarming. It says that we make up

They believe their love will keep them

44% of the new cases of HIV. How

safe, or that their man would never do

can we combat that? I live near

that to them. Or they’ll say “I only date

Washington, DC and it’s a city that

certain types of men.” The reality is the

26 | Women’s Elevation Magazine 30

only thing that will keep you safe is a

is so much better than it was, and if

condom. I hope that what they know

someone gets in quickly they may not

about their partner is true, because

make that transition to AIDS if they

if it’s not then they are literally fools.

stay in care. That’s why treatment and

That’s what driving HIV cases because

care is so important.

women have a need to be in love. We love the idea of love and marriage

I grew up in a generation, where you

more than we even love ourselves.

didn’t embarrass your momma and

Therefore, sometimes we’re willing to

get pregnant. So my classmates who

make those sacrifices to show a man

were virgins were using birth control

that we trust and love them. It’s just

pills just in case they changed their

not worth because we just don’t know.

minds. I think that’s how we should operate with HIV.

WE

Magazine:

That’s

very

true

because you’re not with a man 24/7.

WE

Magazine:

Let’s

talk

about

the idea of being undetectable.

R. Lewis-Thornton: What I am saying is

I’ve have a family member who is

this, it is the 21st century, and what that

infected, and she’s said that she

means is that I use a condom 100%

doesn’t have HIV anymore and that

of the time until I am married. Even in

it was “gone.” Last time I checked

marriage if my partner gives me any

they hadn’t cured the disease so

reason to doubt his loyalty then I must

what does it mean when someone

insist on a condom. The only person

says that?

that will save you is you. The reality is people are afraid to get tested, and

R. Lewis-Thornton: There is no cure for

38% of new cases are from people

HIV. Once you got it, you got it. This is

who didn’t know they were infected.

what happens; the average healthy

HIV shows up three months after

person has about 1000 T cells. HIV gets

exposure and that’s the tragedy of this

into your body and begins destroying

situation. The thing about it is medicine

your T cells which basically attacks Women’s Elevation Magazine | 31

32 | Women’s Elevation Magazine

your immune system. Once your count

I meet people all the time that tell me

gets down to about 200 you have

that their viral load was undetectable,

AIDS. That means that your immune

they stopped taking their medicine,

is vulnerable to infections, we call

and they were back to being sick.

them opportunity infections. So for

The thing about it is that the “coming

a long time we only looked at the

back” from cutting off your medicine

T cell count, but then the medical

is hard. So if damage is done to your

community realized that once you

immune system during that time it’s

become infected HIV replicates. The

irreversible. You got me?

more it copies in your body the sicker you are. So what the new medications

WE Magazine: Totally understand.

do is, they actually eliminate the infection from your body. When you

R. Lewis-Thornton: So it’s very critical

do that it allows the immune system

that people realize that it’s not a cure.

to build back up. So it kind of controls

It just means that the amount of the

the HIV virus. Since the new medicine

virus in your system is so low that it’s

eliminates the virus from your body

undetectable. That’s why I can have

it creates what we call the optimum

sex with somebody and there’s a

which we call “undetectable.” That

1% chance that I would infect them.

means that the virus is in your body

People get that confused. So the

in such a small amount that we can’t

language is not “You can’t detect the

give you a specific. It’s usually like

virus anymore.” The language is “My

less than 40 or 50. So think about it this

viral load is undetectable.” You have to

way 15 years ago my viral load was

be careful with that. You also have to

397,000. Now it’s 40 so it’s undetectable,

remember that HIV does not just infect

but if I was to stop taking my medicine

your blood it infects your organs as well.

I would get sick again.

That’s why we can’t donate organs.

Women’s Elevation Magazine | 33

WE

Magazine:

Thank

you

for

bracelets with different stones, so then

explaining that because we hear

I realized I had a talent. So I started

words like “It’s gone,” and you

making the collection. What it does is

wonder how. So I had to ask you.

it gives people the chance to support

It’s really about the language and it

HIV/AIDS without having to necessarily

is confusing.

wear a red ribbon. It’s something both men and women can wear.

R. Lewis-Thornton: And people don’t

I think now a lot of people buy my

want to feel un-empowered so they’d

bracelets because it inspires them.

rather live in ignorance than ask the

They believe it’s worth supporting

question. If I don’t get I ask. There are

because I am persevering, and

sometimes I ask something 20 times

of course because they’re fabulous

until I get it. I just don’t live it, I get it.

(laughs). It’s very therapeutic for me and I make everything myself.

WE Magazine: Let’s switch subjects and talk about other things you do.

I am grateful for my customers because

You have created your own jewelry

in a lot of ways when the speaking

line called the RLT collection. Tell us

engagements slowed down this has

about the inspiration behind that.

kept food on the table.

I love how you’ve transformed the message and call yourself a

WE Magazine: You have keep

“DIVA living with AIDS.”

pushing and trying to find something else. You did just that.

R. Lewis-Thornton: Well I started the collection

R. Lewis-Thornton: Right, exactly. The

because I wanted to

DIVA thing happened because other

make

awareness

people started to call it that. The

as attractive and popular as cancer

point that I want to make to not only

awareness. Originally I started making

to infected women, but any woman

HIV

34 | Women’s Elevation Magazine

with an illness is to realize that you can

easier to talk about

get up, dress up, and you can keep it

the priest that molests

stepping. You decide whether you’re

children or stranger

going to allow the dark periods to

danger than it is to

pull you down or keep you moving.

talk about our fathers

You are bigger than whatever your

or

circumstances are. There’s a victory in

don’t address it. There

every single step.

are a lot of women

uncles.

We

just

who are survivors of abuse and it has

WE Magazine: Well they are really

changed them significantly. It took me

beautiful

a long time to get to a place where

and

the

message

is

powerful.

I could be whole and healthy. For a long time I thought I was just having sex

R. Lewis-Thornton: I’ve been doing it for

until the therapist asked “How does an

six years now.

8 or 9 year old have sex with an 18 year old?” So I just want women to know

WE Magazine: You’ve also written a

that you can actually live your life, and

couple books as well. Your book The

you don’t have to continue to be in

Politics of Respectability really stuck

the prison of molestation. You’re not to

out to me because of the topics

blame.

you covered. You talked about everything

you’ve

experienced

The Politics of Respectability was a

from emotional to sexual abuse.

book where I talked about how the

Talk to me about that because that’s

issues of respectability affected me.

another big issue that isn’t talked

I talked about my membership in

about in the black community.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. being rescinded which was really the catalyst

R. Lewis-Thornton: Well you know black

for the book. I talk about how we are

folk are hushed on things like that. It’s

bound by these issues so much so that Women’s Elevation Magazine | 35

“God has given me a unique gift and I want people to sit back and say that I touched them.

So I just want to be remembered for using my life to enrich others. I want people to know that no matter what you are facing you just have to get up.” women can’t even be themselves. I

WE Magazine: I am excited for you

trace this concept back to the 1800s

as well. I wanted to ask you about

where we as blacks were taught to

your first book, Amazing Grace:

behave a certain way publically. If

Letters Along my Journey, as well.

you didn’t then it would affect the race as a whole. I linked that back to

R. Lewis-Thornton: When I first became

my membership in Delta Sigma Theta,

public I got hundreds of letters and so

but it didn’t start there, it started with

I decided to show my journey and the

my momma.

impact that my life has had on others through letters.

My memoir is coming out in December, it’s called Unprotected, and in that

WE Magazine: You are very much a

book I dig deeper. I actually name the

storyteller.

person who infected me, I name my rapist, and I tell my story. It’s my story.

R. Lewis-Thornton: I am. I am not the

It’s my body, it’s my life, and it’s time to

speaker that stands up and lectures.

tell my full story. You can preorder in on

We are actually working on a photo

my website. I am really excited.

book too where I tell my story through

3632 || Women’s Women’s Elevation Elevation Magazine Magazine

pictures. Black people have always

For more information on Rae Lewis-

been storytellers our entire lives. It

Thornton follow her on Instagram and

comes from tradition.

Twitter @raelt

WE Magazine: You’ve done so many

Also check out her website

things over the past 53 years, and it’s

http://www.raelewisthornton.com

amazing that you are still able to do what you do. What legacy do you

Buy her jewelry

want to leave behind?

http://www.rltcollection.com/

R. Lewis-Thornton: That I tried to help somebody. Reverend Jackson said it best when he said that “I use my life and my body as a living testimony.” That’s really what I want. God has given me a unique gift and I want people to sit back and say that I touched them. So I just want to be remembered for using my life to enrich others. I want people to know that no matter what you are facing you just have to get up.

WE Magazine: I appreciate you continuously telling your story. I appreciate your transparency.

R.

Lewis-Thornton:

Thank

you

sweetheart. I appreciate you as well.

Women’s Elevation Magazine | 37 33

August Spiritual Corner

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

-Jeremiah 29:11 Like many people, I have a habit of planning things out as much as possible. Sometimes, I can go a little overboard but it’s because I like to know what I’m preparing for and then try to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

I know some people who are like that but if any little thing comes up that they weren’t expecting, they act like they’re about to have a heart attack! We need to realize that “interruptions” can actually be blessings in disguise.

Last month, I went to Pennsylvania for my church organization’s Sunday School and Youth Convention. It ended on a Saturday evening, so some of my girlfriends and I decided to go to brunch that Sunday afternoon. My plan was to pack up my suitcases, arrive at the restaurant around 12:30pm, have some good food and good conversation and then get back to Maryland by 3 or 4pm. Ha! I definitely was in for a surprise!

During the course of the meal, my friends and I found ourselves basically pouring our hearts out.

We were learning so much about and from one another that we didn’t want the conversation to end- even when the waitress brought out the checks. So we decided to head out and spend more time together. I’m so glad we did! By the time that I finally left PA (9:30pm!), I felt encouraged, loved, and motivated! My sisters and I bonded so much in the course of one day that our friendships were strengthened and we all developed a deeper appreciation for one another. More than anything, we truly encouraged each other in our relationships with God! I said all of that to say. . . This “interruption” or change of plans was something that I didn’t even 38 | Women’s Elevation Magazine

realize I needed at first. And sometimes, that’s just how God works!

Yes- it’s good to think things through and be organized. However, we should never be so rigid that we’re not open to allowing God to have His Way in our lives! He is the one that has a plan and purpose for us all!

One of my sisters reminded me that God has assignments for all of us! If we’re claiming to love and follow Him, we need to willingly obey Him. We need to keep our hearts and mind pure so that we can hear from God. Not only that but we need to work quickly when He lays things on our hearts.

Some of these assignments seem like interruptions but the end results can make them all worthwhile.

You don’t always see the impact that your actions can have on another person.

Adjusting to changes can be intimidating but it’s not impossible. At the end of the day, Jesus will always be there. Here’s a prayer for you. . .

Lord Jesus, I’m so grateful to know that You have a plan for my life. I ask now that You would prepare me to walk in my purpose. Order my steps and build up my faith so that I will serve you fearlessly.

Remind me that You know best- even if I come up with the most elaborate idea. . . I want to hear Your voice clearly and follow Your lead- willingly.

Please help me to obey You- every day of my life.

Amen.

Kara Frison is a 2010 graduate of Hood College who strives to inspire others through her writing.

You can read more of her thoughts at www. softwordsbrighteyes.blogspot.com and connect with her on Twitter/Instagram {@karalfrison} or by searching for #DailyDoseLove.