What Black Women Get to Be
People have a lot of opinions about what Black women are supposed to say and do and how we're supposed to move in the world. 🙄
Malcolm X said: “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.”
Those 30 words uttered in 1962, summarize far too many of our experiences today as Black women in this country. Everywhere we go, we face unprecedented pushback. Everywhere we go, whispers and screams echo that we’re incompetent — no matter our degrees, experiences or accomplishments to the contrary. Everywhere we go, hints, smirks and outright disrespect seem to convey that whatever it is we have, we didn’t earn and don’t deserve. Like saying Vice President Kamala Harris is a “#DEI hire.”
Everywhere Black women go, we have to contend with the misogynoir and lesser mortals’ ideas about who we are and how we’re supposed to act, look, sound, respond, think and feel. We might have to contend with other people’s prejudiced notions about us, but that doesn’t mean it requires us to do anything differently than whatever we choose to do and however we choose to react.
No matter what we do, sometimes the disrespect that seems inherent in our dealings with the world can result in deadly consequences. #SayHerName #SonyaMassey.
After a lifetime of marginalization, I’ve leveled up to unapologetically Blackity Black, and that can mean whatever it is you think it means. I said what I said with my whole chest because the Iowa Nice, once enculturated within me, is on its last flicker, and I’m not the only one.
We clap back. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, told former president Donald Trump, who was convicted of 34 felonies: “If you’ve got something to say, say it to my face,” about debating her. That’s how we’d say it.
The next time you see Black women in public and your biases flare up because we’re not behaving according to the stereotypes running in your head, consult this cheat sheet for what Black women are allowed to be — which is anything we’d like to be. Your input isn’t necessary.
We are allowed to be:
Angry
Depressed
Aggressive
Attitudinal
Hurt
Confused
Irritable
Loud
Skeptical
In pain
Pregnant
Childless
Defensive
Sick and Tired
Exhausted
Short-tempered
Left tf alone
Supportive
Quiet
Unbothered
Unapologetic
Carefree
Relaxed
At peace
Unparalleled
Understood
Free
The boss
Good
Comical
Confused
Capable
Argumentative
Wealthy
Poor
Kind
Raggedy
Street
Well-dressed
Emotional
In First Class
Natural
Permed
Nappy
Perfectly coiffed
Bitter
Assertive
Intellectual
Meek
Lost
The life of the party
Blessed
Neurodivergent
Political
Joyous
Spiritual
Nurturing
At the top of our game
Selfish
Sweet
Enough
Friendly
Standoffish
Critical
Talented
Thinkers
Respectable
Disrespectful
Ordinary
Mean
Collegiate
Gifted
Protected
Powerful
Admired
Whatever tf we want to be
✅President.
❌ Kamala Harris
Here is the link to Trevor Noah's tribute to the Black women in his life. It is Black Women who will save us once again with Kamala Harris as their guide - our guide
https://youtu.be/QeJAdlV4fXM?si=01GCNLjIS_cc_JCD
President.