'The most disrespected woman 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.'- Malcolm X Many of us first heard Malcolm speak on our behalf for the 1st time listening to Beyoncé's citrus metaphor-laden masterpiece, Lemonade. Many will roll their eyes and say they heard it way before then, and that's great. It's not a competition sis.I have a lot of heavy content to talk about today.No b.s. today guys.I want to start off by saying how unfortunate it is that Malcolm X's words are still true. Do I have to explain? Fine. Here goes. Where are our girls? Are we too black for an Amber Alert ? Why are our God given textured tresses 'not professional' on the workplace? How is it that we are the fastest growing rate of entrepreneurs yet our success rate is not the same as our counterparts of other races? How are we not approved for business loans with excellent credit? Why are we 'angry' when you express concern? Why is it that we are only 'woke' burning sage with wear a head wrap and donning an ankh tattoo? Why must we board up our windows and brag on being secluded in our homes and never show skin to prove that we are 'wifey' material? Why are our gold bamboo hoops, long colorful nails, and fingers covered in gold rings only praised when on the runway of a white designer? Why is that men are referred to everything like man, dude, fella, boi, guy,bruh, homie, bro but rarely male yet Female is the word of choice when referring to us? Almost every species has female. Women, in particular black women are subject to the disrespect from men and other black women when it comes to the generic term. It's disrespectful. point.blank.period.You don't have enough respect for after being birthed of a woman ( female human) to acknowledge me as such? I am guilty of carelessly using the word in the past.However when you know better, you do better.We are more than females, much more.We are humans, mothers, lovers, fighters, bearers of truth, survivors of generational racism and sexism, we are fearless and we above are all magical. So what is this #blackgirlmagic? What about other girl's and their magic. I'm black and society tries to invalidate me at every cost. The term is a way to celebrate our accomplishments and strengths in a world that does not what us love ourselves, be ourselves, yet steals our 'fleeky" mannerisms with every flick of our weave *rolls eyes. No one is a strong as the black woman has to be. Do not debate me on this *claps hands. We deal with the disrespect on all ends while being told to 'take it' or 'maybe if you respected yourself more..' ; dismissing our every struggle. We have never been allowed to be a victim despite the constant victimizing. On top of all of this, we manage to continue to be so bad ass and continue to win despite living in a world designed to block us at almost every pass. Look at Serena Williams ,Solange, and Viola Davis all dominating their industry on their own terms, in their own skin, unashamed of their God-given selves. I chose these 3 women specifically because they are well known but all can testify in different way struggle of the black woman.Serena is a power-house tennis player who despite being one of the greatest athletes of ALL TIME , was not the highest paid. We (the black community) praise her for her strong physique and her enviable cakes, yet she received backlashed when she got engaged to a non-brotha. We gotta learn to be happy for our sisters, y'all. Solange has been to 'seemingly' in the shadow of her sister Beyoncé since the beginning of the beginning. I hate that the media tries her so much. She did her acting stint and debuted her first album, which did not do well. Solo also married young (probably shotgun style) and pregnant and had a beautiful son yet her marriage was shortlived. She cut all her hair and became Orlando Jones (y'all were wrong for that, dead wrong).It seems should could not catch a break, but we began to watch her grow before our very eyes. She began to influence and help us embrace out hair with her amazing styles.Her eclectic chic retro-mod looks grabbed our attention and she began to win us over. Personally, I was won over by her Sol-Angel and the Hadley st dreams album (pre-big chop era).This album was the prelude into the genius that is she.Saint Heron was dope too . Fast forward after her internet breaking NOLA everything nuptials and we have the 'of course shit goes down when there's a billion dollars in an elevator'.However one of the most riveting and passionate moments by Solange was one of the events that led to the Grammy winning, every black girl can relate, black girl magical, angry black woman dealing with micro-agressions daily, A Seat at the Table where a white music critique, indie -artist, non-factor suggested that black women in music should not bite the 'white' hand that feeds their black asses.The result was a beautiful shitstorm of black girl magic raining on his candy ass.Read full twitter thread here. Solange is and has always been an head of her time and her fire for life and her fellow black woman inspires me.I salute you , girl. Viola Davis won an Oscar. She was not a junkie (Halle),con(Whoopi),angry black woman(Jennifer Hudson),slave (Lupita), a maid(Octavia Spencer), a deviant(Monique), but she portrayed a strong black woman in Fences (not Hidden Fences).I salute all my black Oscar winners, but for me this win was extremely important as it noted that black people are great on the silver screen in any role. Sterotypical winning roles which include almost black actress that preceded her are the images that are embedded in how society see us and it is hurtful to say the least. It is almost as if winning for that type of role is a slap in the face as if those are the only roles we portray convincingly with the undertone of 'well that is how they live so it's only natural for them to act like that and do it well on camera'.As you have noticed, she is a darker skinned actress.If you are of darker skin, then you will know of the colorism factor that plagues Hollywood and western society.The concept of 'lighter is better' stems from the European ideals that deem those of darker complexion and African features as less desireable and un-worthy.This in turn leads to image and body issues, disorders, discrimination and more.Viola has said herself in interviews the 'brown paper bag test' is a thing in Hollywood. If you are darker than the bag, the role 'ain't for you' essentially is what that is. Disgusting. Through her many years of being a thespian, and the power of Black Girl Magic she has been able to grace the small screen (network tv) and the silver screen most notably on the Shonda Rhimes hit show How to Get Away with Murder.Viola, Thank you queen for staying true to yourself and loving your beautiful black skin.You deserve every damn award! Each one of these queens were unapologetically themselves and it paid off. They were beautiful, black, kinky haired (Viola is just wearing a wig here, so shutup and don't go there),full bodied, strong minded,and magical.It almost makes me cry tears of joy seeing the strength and obstacles we face;sexism,colorism,racism.This is why I unapologetically go so hard for us.I buy black. I promote black. I am black.They reflect me, they inspire me, they understand what I go through. My choker and earrings are sold out.The choker below is from www.prettylittlethings.us and you can use code HEYGIRL to get %50 ! The top and pants are from Shein.I am wearing the small in the top and bottom.The top fits a lil funny so maybe order up otherwise be ready to deal with some side underboob, but I can deal for $7.If you order the pants you may want to get express shipping otherwise it may take 3 weeks to get them.I am also wearing flash tattoos on my chest and arms, so just a heads up if you were wondering. Shop by clicking each pic Back to this 'female' business and why I hate it.It's disrespectful, done.Female what? There are all kinds of females ,"BE PACIFIC" *claps hands (I know it's specific yall).Female humans are referred to as girls or women.Is that so hard? No. Saying female (when you don't refer to men as 'males in the same context) strips women of the right to be acknowledged properly and specifically which is problematic as sexism has been around since...forever! Classify me correctly and specifically or fail to address me, period! So if you are wonderful well 'what words do I use instead of 'female' you are in luck. I have curated a whole list women addressing nouns below: -chick -lady -dame -queen -sis (can be used in terms of endearment or shade) -sister -girlfriend -bbiihhh (reserved for the closet of gal pals when spilling tea) -Nubian (you know who this is reserved for) -girl! (must be said in high voice to denote excitement) There is an old saying that goes 'respect yourself or no one will'.Eff that. Teach your kids to respect everybody. Teach our young men that even if a woman in naked she is not asking for rape. Teach our young women not to think the same. You see how sexism affects women? We will so quickly blame a woman who is abused all because we allowed the ideals of a male-dominated society to teach us rather than use or God-given common sense. Black women let's not be so critical of one another. We can be too harsh on each other and it can be detrimental to our success. We can lift each other up and go that much higher.After all, no one knows is like we do. We have to acknowledge to power we have and use it. Despite what the world says about us and tries to make us, we always win. #blackgirlmagic Don't let anyone steal your magic, yeaaaaa!! I got so much y'all!! Today's post sponsored by the blackgirl magic pour into the A Seat at the Table album.I listened to it writing this post. Thanks Solo girl! (we are friends, I can call her that)
7 Comments
Brittney
4/5/2017 01:48:39 pm
Thank you so much Queen for everything you do. You are needed!! This blog was spot on, I am here for it ❤❤
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Tim
4/5/2017 03:48:34 pm
Great post Queen
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Love this post. Although I would be honest I am a tad tired of the female drumming subject 😂😂😂 you don't hear men complaining about how se their balls are on a daily babsis. Yet women are campaigning for days off when they get their period. 🙄 Anyways am of the kind that we all keep on excelling in everything that we do then let's see if they don't eventually take notice. Lots of races are prejudiced against but they get on with it. We constantly carry the victim card and scream even when we know we are wrong because of some of the stupid behaviour we exhibit. Not being bias you should see some of the young black girls onthe Bus in south east London, I shudder in disbelief that they were raised by a black woman. Anyways
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Hope
4/5/2017 07:50:11 pm
Well said! 🙌🏾
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Erica J
4/5/2017 10:20:08 pm
So powerful from beginning to end!!!! Pics are amazing!!! Keep posting!!! You are ssssoooo needed.... THANK YOU ♡♡♡
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4/6/2017 12:13:44 pm
Awesome post!! Very motivational !! I would love to purchase the wrap stripe skirt if I win the top shop giveaway.
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