We have been conditioned, through enslavement, physical and mental abuse, and the subliminal messages that feeds us programming that informs us what being a Black woman “really” means.
In other words, to be a Black woman means to be marginalized, disrespected, lazy, loud, ghetto, sex objects, uneducated, naïve, gullible, defensive, judgmental, opinionated, men haters, and last but not least, bitter.
Are my words a bit too harsh? They were meant to be harsh. Do you think that this conditioning has not been institutionalized? Commercialized? When was the last time you turned on the television, or listened to a song and was treated to a message about black women that left you feeling good and inspired and proud?
Can you count on one hand or two? Do you find yourself having to defend and point out the women who are doing well, who are smart and intelligent and fighting to make life more comfortable and helping our communities move toward a more just world?
How do we counter this? As Black women we must be the change we seek in society…we must set a new standard for all our young sistas who have not been taught the value of self-respect. We must set a new standard for our brothas, for this society, this country and the rest of the free world. Let’s stop talkin about it and just do it. Let’s make it happen.
Dawn M. Edwards 