It's been a vexing journey, this thing called life. But is this reality that I call "my life" my destiny? My karma? Was I destined to be a mother, a wife, a student, a writer, a dancer, a gymnast, an activist, and a black woman? Why is it that at times I feel invisible? As if my thoughts, my skills, my talents, my words, my abilities are not being recognized.
As if my lack of political affiliation and status has rendered me unworthy of being acknowledged. As if I am not deemed capable of dialoguing and sharing ideas with others who have been more fortunate in areas such as finance and material goods. As if I am not good enough.
The sad reality is that I am not alone. My thoughts and sentiments echo countless black women, young and old, who are out here in this world, this society that doesn't seem to give a damn about us. Oh, of course, society is too politically correct to come right out and express that sentiment, but we women bear the bruises, physically, emotionally, and mentally.
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 women "really" means.
In other words, to be a black women 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.
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