Writing with Juliet Iwelunmor

Market women flow as if in a pattern. Clothes are often the same colors. Hair and smiles too. They seem to always appear the same, together, building, dreaming, together, as a show of force. They are always there, as a group, always a force as women.

I spent the day walking down memory lane as to why I love the idea of marketplaces. Truth is I was raised in one. My grandmother loved the market and my favorite time was strolling as a child through markets with her. My mother loved the market and we have this thing were we visit Aswani market every Tuesday all because we love to collect fabrics. I say collect because we never really made clothes out of them, just simply bought and stored them for rainy days. Markets were my sanctuary, my place for community, my healing, my love for humanity. We all seem to be a force at any market place. Whether as a buyer or a seller. It’s why when I was given the opportunity to share my ideas today, I found myself rambling and rambling as to why marketplaces matter. I have no idea where this journey is taking me, only that we will soon bring this to fruition, this idea that markets can be used for healing, as force for people that look like me. Keep this.

Words above were inspired by Audre Lorde.