As Black women, we wear society’s wants, prejudices and fears on our beautiful skin. Since caricatures of Black and Brown women are so widely exported, many people feel as though they already “know” and “understand” the Black female experience. People are quick to tell us who we are, what we like and what we are capable of becoming. Many times our personal narrative gets interrupted by static: sweeping generalizations and trite stereotypes. Some times it’s hard to hear our own voice over all the noise: “Black girls don’t X” “Brown women always X” “You can’t be a Black girl and X”. There is a new generation of WOC rising from a rich history and an ever-changing present. Here are some suggestions to help shed the weight of the past, and transform yourself into a carefree black girl!
Stop Apologizing
You have nothing to be sorry for. Stop taking the responsibility for other people’s mis-calculated projections of who they think you should be. That’s on them, not you! You don’t have to be sorry, you have to be yourself. That’s your only responsibility. One thing that you absolutely cannot control is other people’s expectations. You don’t owe them anything. You’re not in this world to make people feel comfortable, safe or entertained. In the words of poet Big Sean: “F your two cents if they ain’t goin’ towards the bills”. Let them clutch their pearls, scratch their heads, and wonder: but stop apologizing.Get Uncomfortable
The key to being a carefree Black girl is accepting yourself as you are in this moment and acknowledging that it is within your right to change.
