Black Girl Magic Rose is a term that has gained popularity in recent years. It refers to the empowerment and strength of black women and girls. The phrase combines the concept of black girl magic, which celebrates the resilience, beauty, and achievements of black women, with the rose, which symbolizes elegance and grace. Black Girl Magic Rose represents a movement that aims to challenge stereotypes and narratives that have historically marginalized and overlooked black women. It serves as a reminder of their worth, power, and contributions in various fields, from arts and entertainment to politics and social activism. It is a celebration of their unique experiences, talents, and accomplishments.
One theory for the origin of the name is that the Latin phrase in albis (“in white”), which Christians used in reference to Easter week, found its way into Old High German as eostarum, or “dawn.” The other is that Eosturmonath simply meant “the month of opening,” which is comparable to the meaning of “April” in Latin. The names of both the Saxon and Latin months (which are calendrically similar) were related to spring, the season when the buds open.
In Jeremiah 44 15-17, the people of Judah reject the prophet Jeremiah s message in preference to their idolatrous worship of an entity called the queen of heaven apparently the pagan deity Ishtar. A related perspective is that, rather than being a representation of the story of Ishtar, Easter was originally a celebration of Eostre, goddess of Spring, otherwise known as Ostara, Austra, and Eastre.
It is a celebration of their unique experiences, talents, and accomplishments. Black Girl Magic Rose also aims to inspire and uplift black girls and young women, providing them with positive role models and a sense of pride in their identity. It encourages them to embrace their heritage and culture, and to challenge societal expectations and limitations.
What are the origins of Easter?
The origins of Easter are obscure. It is often assumed that the name Easter comes from a pagan figure called Eastre (or Eostre) who was celebrated as the goddess of spring by the Saxons of Northern Europe. According to the theory, Eastre was the “goddess of the east (from where the sun rises),” her symbol was the hare (a symbol of fertility), and a festival called Eastre was held during the spring equinox by the Saxons to honor her. This theory on the origin of Easter is highly problematic, however.
The major problem with associating the origin of Easter with the pagan goddess Eastre/Eostre is that we have no hard evidence that such a goddess was ever worshiped by anyone, anywhere. The only mention of Eastre comes from a passing reference in the writings of the Venerable Bede, an eighth-century monk and historian. Bede wrote, “Eosturmonath has a name which is now translated as ‘Paschal month,’ and which was once called after a goddess of theirs named Eostre, in whose honor feasts were celebrated in that month. Now they designate the Paschal season by her name, calling the joys of the new rite by the time-honoured name of the old observance” (De Temporum Ratione). And that’s it. Eostre is not mentioned in any other ancient writing; we have found no shrines, no altars, nothing to document the worship of Eastre. It is possible that Bede simply extrapolated the name of the goddess from the name of the month.
In the nineteenth century, the German folklorist Jakob Grimm researched the origins of the German name for Easter, Ostern, which in Old High German was Ostarâ. Both words are related to the German word for “east,” ost. Grimm, while admitting that he could find no solid link between Easter and pagan celebrations, made the assumption that Ostara was probably the name of a German goddess. Like Eastre, the goddess Ostara was based entirely on supposition and conjecture; before Grimm’s Deustche Mythologie (1835), there was no mention of the goddess in any writings.
So, while the word Easter most likely comes from an old word for “east” or the name of a springtime month, we don’t have much evidence that suggests anything more. Assertions that Easter is pagan or that Christians have appropriated a goddess-holiday are untenable. Today, however, it seems that Easter might as well have pagan origins, since it has been almost completely commercialized—the world’s focus is on Easter eggs, Easter candy, and the Easter bunny.
Christians celebrate Easter as the resurrection of Christ on the third day after His crucifixion. It is the oldest Christian holiday and the most important day of the church year because of the significance of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the events upon which Christianity is based (1 Corinthians 15:14). In some Christian traditions, Easter Sunday is preceded by the season of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and repentance culminating in Holy Week and followed by a 50-day Easter season that stretches from Easter to Pentecost.
Because of the commercialization and possible pagan origins of Easter, many churches prefer to call it “Resurrection Sunday.” The rationale is that, the more we focus on Christ and His work on our behalf, the better. Paul says that without the resurrection of Christ our faith is futile (1 Corinthians 15:17). What more wonderful reason could we have to celebrate! Whether we call it “Easter” or “Resurrection Sunday,” what is important is the reason for our celebration, which is that Christ is alive, making it possible for us to have eternal life (Romans 6:4)!
Should we celebrate Easter or allow our children to go on Easter egg hunts? This is a question both parents and church leaders struggle with. Ultimately, it comes down to a matter of conscience (Romans 14:5). There is nothing essentially evil about painting and hiding eggs and having children search for them. What is important is our focus. If our focus is on Christ, our children can be taught to understand that the eggs are just a fun game. Children should know the true meaning of the day, and parents and the church have a responsibility to teach the true meaning. In the end, participation in Easter egg hunts and other secular traditions must be left up to the discretion of parents.
Whether it is observed as a religious holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, or a time for families in the northern hemisphere to enjoy the coming of Spring and celebrate with egg decorating and Easter bunnies, the celebration of Easter still retains the same spirit of rebirth and renewal, as it has for thousands of years.
Black Girl Magic Rose seeks to foster self-love, self-confidence, and a sense of sisterhood among black girls and women. The concept of Black Girl Magic Rose has been popularized through various mediums, including social media, fashion, and art. Black women and girls often use the hashtag #BlackGirlMagic to share their stories, achievements, and experiences, creating a supportive and empowering online community. The use of roses in conjunction with the term further emphasizes the idea of beauty and resilience. Overall, Black Girl Magic Rose represents a celebration of black womanhood and the unique power and strength that black women and girls possess. It encourages them to embrace their identity, defy stereotypes, and uplift one another. Through this movement, black women and girls are reclaiming their narratives, asserting their worth, and inspiring future generations..
Reviews for "Black Girl Magic Rose: Empowering Black Girls to Dream Big"
- Jack Thompson - 2/5 - Disappointing. I had heard such great things about "Black Girl Magic Rose," but I found it to be lacking substance. The plot was predictable and the characters felt one-dimensional. I struggled to connect with any of them and found myself uninterested in their story. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book.
- Sarah Johnson - 1/5 - Waste of time. I don't understand the hype around "Black Girl Magic Rose." The writing was subpar, with awkward sentence structure and lackluster descriptions. The dialogue felt forced and unconvincing, making it difficult to engage with the story. I was left feeling incredibly unsatisfied and irritated that I wasted my time on this poorly written book.
- Emily Rodriguez - 2/5 - Not what I expected. I was looking forward to reading "Black Girl Magic Rose," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was off, with long periods of nothing happening and sudden bursts of action that felt disjointed. The characters lacked depth and I struggled to care about their journeys. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed by this book.
- David Smith - 2/5 - Meh. "Black Girl Magic Rose" was just okay for me. The premise had potential, but the execution fell flat. The writing was mediocre, with cliched dialogue and unoriginal descriptions. The story itself lacked originality and failed to leave a lasting impression. I wouldn't recommend this book to others as it didn't offer anything new or exciting.