Girls want to have more than just fun!

So I have been thinking about the use of the word girl in my logo and wondering if it offends anyone.  I am real sensitive to issues like this, probably because of my background in diversity. The word girl doesn’t bother me despite the fact that I am as tall as that 6th grade girl who went to Randallwood back in 1979. Maybe it is time to dig a little deeper into my thoughts about using the word girl.

First, it isn’t meant to be offensive. I look at it more like a term of endearment. Like when you call your really good friend on the phone and when she answers you say, “Gurl!!!! I got something to tell you!!” Or when a friend calls to offer you that much needed advice like, “Gurl, let me break it down for you!” I guess it is short for girlfriend. Womanfriend just doesn’t sound right, you know? And I think that the second half of the word friend has more meaning than the first half girl.

On the other hand, I know that girl may have some negative connotations attached to it. It may bring back memories of a dark time in our history when women of color (or any woman for that matter now that I think about it) were not considered worthy enough to be respected or revered. (This is something that I really want to explore further, but not today. It’s on my list, though. This would make for a good conversation.)

There’s also something about the word girl that to me connotes vibrancy, youth, energy, and freshness. A girl is at the beginning of her journey.  Her outlook on life is hopeful. There is a world of possibilities before her. And she has the energy and the wherewithal to explore those possibilities.

Woman has a different connotation to me. When I think of the word woman I think of the womb, birth, wisdom, experience, knowledge. The dreams she had as a girl may have vanished. She is in a different season of life and may feel a little more settled and may be less inclined to explore and take risks.

Now I am not saying that a woman can’t live life with the vibrancy and energy as a girl can. All I am saying is that in terms of GoneGirlGo my intent is to attach a sense of wonder, curiosity, energy, vibrancy, and openness to the movement that some of us as women may have lost somewhere during our journey. This girl (me) may not have grown in stature, but I have grown up. Now I am reclaiming traces of that youthful spirit that I had when I was 11. And because I have a good deal of experience at life now, I also know that I want to have more than just fun! I want my life to have meaning too!

I am not sure if I am totally clear about the use of the word girl yet. I have to remind myself that this movement is still unfolding. But I must admit, it does sound better than gonewomango. That’s not catchy at all and it probably wouldn’t read well on a t-shirt.

So here is a big shout out and tribute to all the wonderful girls who have been and still are a part of my life. Girl, your presence in my life has made it a good ride.

• Girls who raised me and taught me the value of education, relationships, and family
• Girls who I have known since they were born
• Girls who are my sister cousins
• Girls who I grew up with on E. 151st and Sunset Drive
• Girls who came into my life for a season
• Girls who have been my best friends since 1990 and will remain my best friends until we all pass away
• Girls who like me slept, ate and breathed Head Start (some of these girls still do)
• Girls who are cold at running their businesses
• Girls who have loved me despite me and my mess
• Girls who are my ride or die chicks
• Girls who I have been on a spiritual journey with
• Girls who love to get the cardio in at True Image Fitness
• Girls who I have known for a short time, but feel like I have known them forever
• Girls who have done me wrong but didn’t realize that what they did actually made me better (I can flip this one too cause I have been the girl who has also done wrong to another…)

I think you know who you are. Let’s keep pushing forward so that we can all go!