Words of Wisdom: Navigating Adversity with Lena Horne
“It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. Carry it by the comfortable handles of gratitude for what's positive and that it is not worse, rather than the uncomfortable edges of bitterness for the negatives and that it is not better.”
Womanist Lens
Within the intricate framework of womanist ethics, the fusion of race, class, and gender dynamics provides a rich tapestry for understanding human experiences. Lena Horne's insightful quote, "It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it," encapsulates the essence of womanist thought, urging individuals to engage with life's challenges through lenses of fortitude and gratitude. In dissecting this quote through a womanist lens, we unravel profound insights into power dynamics, oppression, and the transformative potential of agency. Horne's wisdom resonates deeply not only with scholars but also with those navigating the complexities of everyday life, including those within the realm of religious scholarship.
Central to Horne's reflection is the acknowledgment of the multifaceted nature of adversity, which often intersects along racial, class, and gender lines. Womanist ethics, grounded in the experiences of Black women, seeks to explore these intersections while advocating for holistic approaches to fortitude and resistance. Horne's metaphorical distinction between "comfortable handles of gratitude" and "uncomfortable edges of bitterness" underscores the significance of perspective in shaping individual responses to life's trials.
Black Women's Experiences
In the realm of religious scholarship, Horne's insight resonates profoundly with scholars delving into spirituality, liberation, and social justice. Womanist theology, championed by scholars like Katie Cannon and Delores Williams, highlights the liberative dimensions of Black women's religious experiences. Horne's emphasis on gratitude mirrors the spiritual practices of thanksgiving and fortitude deeply embedded within Black religious traditions, offering a counterbalance to narratives of despair and victimhood.
Moreover, Horne's wisdom prompts scholars of religion to critically examine the ways in which religious institutions intersect with systems of power and privilege. Womanist ethics calls us to interrogate the complicity of religious institutions in perpetuating oppression while recognizing the transformative potential of spiritual practices in fostering fortitude and resistance. Horne's call to "carry it by the comfortable handles of gratitude" challenges religious communities to cultivate spaces of healing and empowerment, where individuals can find strength amidst adversity.
At its core, Horne's quote embodies the ethos of womanist ethics—a commitment to intersectional analysis, fortitude, and transformative action in the face of adversity. By embracing gratitude as a guiding principle, individuals are empowered to reclaim agency and resist systemic injustices. For scholars of religion, Horne's insights offer a compelling framework for reevaluating theological paradigms through lenses of liberation and inclusivity, paving the way for renewed efforts towards justice and healing.
Forging a New World
In conclusion, Lena Horne's timeless wisdom serves as a beacon of hope and fortitude in navigating life's challenges. Through a womanist ethical lens, her words illuminate the transformative power of gratitude and agency, inspiring both scholars and everyday individuals to confront adversity with grace and fortitude. Within the realm of religious scholarship, Horne's reflections invite us to engage in deeper inquiries into spirituality, liberation, and social justice, forging new pathways towards a more just and equitable world.
Claude Anderson-Ingalls for The Misogynoir to Mishpat (M2M) Research Network © 2025
so well said!