They tried to bury us, they didn't know we were seeds
Women's histories of resistance
Attributed to the Greek poet Dinos Christianopoulos, the English translation of the couplet that birthed this now-well-known declaration is actually,
what didn’t you do to bury me
but you forgot that I was a seed
From Christianopoulos' collection The Body and the Wormwood (1960–1993), translated into English by Prof. Nicholas Kostis (1995), it's a mighty statement on one's power to withstand hardship, criticism, misunderstanding, and much worse.
Immigrant rights movements and feminists have taken up this mantle to show resilience and determination. The phrasing has been used on protest signs and t-shirts, and by goddess, we mean it. Back off, man, because we aren't going quietly. And if we step away, we will be back, and that's a promise.
As part of my Women's History Month series for 2025, I'm excited to share with you a list of some of the most inspirational books on women's resistance movements and efforts throughout history. These books tell incredible stories of empowerment, strength, wisdom, unity, survival, and resistance. They highlight women's organizations, collective actions, movements, and revolutions.
These are the books we need right now.
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