Image via The Black Youth Project of Rekia Boyd
Dear Black media why are Black males deaths more worthy of coverage than Black females? Aren’t all acts of violence equally egregious? Do Black women need to once again prove our loyalty to a group that has never had to prove theirs?
Image via henriettavintondavis.wordpress.com of Laura Nelson
Recorded Cases of Black Female Lynching Victims 1886-1957: More on Black Women Who Were Lynched from ~ Henriettavintondavis.wordpress.com
I ask, haven’t Black women hung from trees next to Black men? Haven’t Black women been brutally killed by racists along with Black men? Haven’t Black women been beaten and or even killed by the police? Haven’t Black women been brutally raped and molested?
Read more about Duanna Johnson here.
In every single struggle, Black women have endured the same oppression Black men have. In fact, Black women suffer from sexism and lack of protection from Black organizations that Black men are afforded. And in every single struggle Black women have fought along side Black men for causes that benefit Black men while receiving little to no return on our investment.
Hadiya Pendleton image via wgntv
Read more about Hadyia Pendleton here.
There is history of ignoring the needs of Black women except when it comes to our hairline, pantyline, waist line or our ability to marry. Black women have been always told to put our needs on hold for “the movement.” That movement, coincidentally, largely benefited Black men. During the abolitionist movement black women were told work and to wait for our chance. And we did. During the Civil Rights Movement Black women were to told to march, work, die and wait for our chance. And we did. Today, Black women are being told you are the sole backbone of the community. You must raise the family alone. You must march for “our men.” You must organize and work alone. You must remain silent to protect a brother that may have committed a crime against you to avoid putting him in the criminal justice system. You must die on the brutal streets because Black gangs are fighting over street corners. You must be sexually harassed by Black men while walking in the street and accept it. You must look a certain way. You must act a certain way. You must be submissive while being strong. You must be called bitch and hoe in the media and accept it.
So no Ebony, I am not Trayvon. I am the nameless and faceless Black women you don’t see on your magazine covers or in the Black media except when she is twerking, telling Black women we “are out of order”, being told by comedians to “think like a man” or playing a maid, a mammy, a video girl or a reality show actress.
I know there will be no marches for me. My case won’t be a measure in race relations. President Obama wouldn’t say I could be his daughter. No one will question the high rate of domestic violence, the prevalency of molestation, sexual exploitation, misogyny or sexism committed against Black women. There will be no Twitter hashtags or Facebook protests done in my name. I am the forgotten. The person you want to forget except when you need something. My life and death will be ignored because I was killed by the wrong person who happened to share my hue. Even worse, I am the wrong victim because I am a Black woman. I am one of the missing Black women found underneath two different homes in Cleveland, OH here and here. I am the Black woman who was been beaten and murdered by her abusive boyfriend. I am Rekia Boyd. I am Marrisa Alexander. I am Duanna Johnson. I am the sexually molested or raped girl that adults blame because obviously I was fast while my Black male athletically gifted perpetrator receives sympathy and a scholarship. I am who you remind me I will always be. I am invisible to you. Since I am invisible to you, you are invisible to me.
Excellent post, just excellent
Thank you for reading. I appreciate it.
thank you. Well written.
Thank you very much. We need to have these conversations.
You did a wonderful job of educating those who are willing to be educated. Those photos may be disturbing. However, what many refuse to acknowledge is their silence is what allowed those types of tragedies to happen. Ask any victim and they will agree that other people knew of the dangers before, yet refused to step up and protect them.
Amazing post!! Black women are not valued or not even seen as women. We’re seen as a monolith group people believed should be controlled and not as free willed individuals. It’s pretty pathetic how gender biased the black community is when it comes to racism and black progression. Our mission is centered entirely around the advancement of black men. That’s why black men feel entitled to have beliefs like Tommy Sotomayor, if you don’t know who he is he’s a youtube idiot that makes his money off of generalizing black women and bashing them. What’s sad is the many black female followers he has. Now if Tommy Sotomayor was a woman you’d see black men in their typical rants complaining about being generalized and stereotyped and how unfair it is. Also you’d see conditioned black women running behind them defending them talking about “My husband, my son, my uncle, my father, my brother”. Black women are the last group that should be supporting misogyny, patriarchy and sexism since we suffer from it the most. Black women have no dog fight in anything. We don’t have anyone, sometimes not even other black women on our side. That’s why it’s hard for me to be pro-black these days.
How we gone say don’t stereotype a black man in a hoodie because the way he’s dressed doesn’t make him suspicious or a thug, but we belittled Jeantal his Trayvon’s friend as having “Typical black woman attitude?” The proof is in the pudding sistas, wake up!
Yes, I have been thinking about this very issue. We need to tweak the statements that fail to acknowledge that black women and girls are profiled as well and part of mass incarceration et al and as you so articulately state, face other types of oppression as well, namely those that arise from gender oppression. Well done and timely. Well said. Thank you for this. A friend has forwarded me to Bell hooks for her writings on this topic and I would think audre lourde and alice walker might also have opined on this topic. Once again thank you and well done. ALso I might note that although black american women are more educated we make a lot less than Black men-who make less than white men. It goes like this-white men, black men, white women, black women. I have not done the research for indigenous, latino and Asian women but we can all probably guess where they go in this hierarchy. Tragically, indigenous American women are targeted victims of violence in our nation.
Also, just want to add that the Malcolm x grassroots movement has published a report, operationghettostorm.org which details the murder of a black american every 28 hours in 2012 by police, vigilantes or security guards. They do not say just men.
I sent this to Ebony too (as I am sure others have) I hope they read it and publish it! They will do a cover of a celebrity wearing a hoodie but no one is checking for Rekia or any other black women lost to violence.
Well written article and I agree. Us Black women need to start our own movement
To the Author called, Bougie Girl,
I am a 38 year old Black Man that lives in Houston Texas. I say that to point out that Texas being a strong Conservative state with far-right views that I am not apart of. Neither am I a far-left, Liberal Democrat. I think both ideologies has done great harm to the Black Race in America.
With that said, I have read some of your articles and come to find Black women like you and those of the Black Women Empowerment movement to be extreme, FAR-LEFT ideological, self-styled Feminists that DO hate certain Men….and in particular, BLACK MAN. Admit it! Stop lying to yourself!
I have had this argument on other Black Women sites where they complain about a lack of attention shown to Black Women and their cause. And with that cause, it promotes a new-age liberal view sets where Black Women think they can live in a world without Black Men. Where they think they can service the sexual appetites for all men except Black Men and have the audacity to use this new-found clout and respect to punish the image of a Black Man. Destroy him completely and out of the consensus of mainstream America on anything “good or positive” about Black Men.
I find this to be of the utmost, selfish nature and unbecoming of a Woman let alone, a Black Woman. Black Men, as a whole, do not hold extremist views such as this. Whatever is our success, is your success. Whatever is our success together, is the success of the Black Race as a whole. At least I think that way, and I’m married to a Black Woman.
I don’t know your real name. I would like to know it to give you respect and call you by your name instead of Bougie Girl. I just want add further, Bougie Girl, the things you spout as being an independent, Black Woman with irrational views that goes against the norms of being a Nation of People (and quite dangerous) is the very reason God made Man first and when Eve sinned, he place Woman under Man control. And man was to use that responsible to be “fair and equal” with Woman. That is evidence in how Man gave you the rights you enjoy today. In no other country would you have as much rights as you do in America, yet, you and the likes of the Black Woman Empowerment movement, have the nerves to cement in the minds of every young Black girl, woman to hate the Black Man.
Do you honestly understanding what you advocating for, Ms. Bougie Girl?? I get the ill treatment of Black men on Black women but does that represent all Black men in America? Do you understand how much you hurting the innocent brothers and sisters who would have a natural intimacy to be together until they’re brainwashed with extreme ideologies that persuade them to date outside their race in what is a MASS EXODUS of Black Woman and Black Man going for the White Man and White Woman?
I can’t make you do anything. You are a free woman to speak your mind but there are consequences. And God does not sleep. There is an awakening going on where many Blacks are awakening to their true identity of who they are. I will not share that with you. I think it would be better if you find out yourself and maybe it’ll wake you up to this non-sense and blind by Babylon America.
Just know this….a mass exodus of Black Women and Men leaving their race for IR dating is the END of you and me as a melanin people. If you sit there and think the White Man and Woman are people like us, you simppy do not know any truths about God. You are foolish and following after a pagan nation that is about to get destroyed. Yet, they running to us with wild fetish, wild sexual desires and you guys think it’s true love. Keep drinking that Babylon kool-aid. Wake up, Ms. Bougie Girl.
Mmmm ok. this relates to the article discussing atrocities committed against bw, (and mostly ignored) by all and sundry, how? Talk about moving goal posts.
I am starting to believe there is no hope for our community have u ever heard of Willie lynch ppl I wish so much that we could work together but we just can’t can we o I year for the day when a savior will come and wipe away my tears I wish as a black man I could look at my sisters and day i love u I wish that’s i could go to college and not wk i wish that I had so e1 strong to lead me and not the ppl
Who did i wish I was rich then maybe u would love me sorry i i was born here and this is how it was i wish so much they say be a man lol how when the rest if the world is against u
Truth…I hear you. Thank you for your comments. The following thoughts are not intended as a lecture; just encouragement from a corner man to hang in there.
The Matrix kicks butt and is Meant to do just that. Yet, there is light at the end of the tunnel. We don’t remember, but we live under a veil of our own making. We have been bloodied and utterly humiliated; but the paradigm is shifting toward an awakening. Truth is making a comeback as we go through this tempering process.
Members of the African Diaspora are generally at the barrel’s rock bottom in virtually all societies, and are marinated in Self-Hatred for very specific and functional reasons. It is not a coincidence. The FALL into this molecular FUNK didn’t happen and won’t be corrected overnight. And as we know all too painfully well, some fruits of this condition manifest in the spine-chilling unnatural tension between black females & males. Generally speaking-We are Out of Our Minds. This too shall pass.
There is a lot of work to do by people who have the WILL to bring correctness back to interactions between all people. I applaud the blog’s host for being a drum major for JUSTICE by opening her mouth and using her pen. Like SoJourner Truth, she’s shaking the CAGE. Electrons are moving-vibrations are changing. She is becoming Codified by not allowing herself to be defined by others. She’s starting to use her own definitions as she understands through painful experience and observation that words and phrases have actually been used like hammer-like symbols to break bones and rend spirits.
Conditions of the world will get apparently worse and maybe downright frightening. James Baldwin counseled in the Progressive 1962 essay, “A Letter to My Nephew,” …as heaven and earth are shaken as we move out of our position (Prison Funk)-“You don’t be afraid.”
Our assignment that we Must face is to go behind definitions so that we “can spell our proper name.” This is tuff stuff. But Baldwin reminds his young kin that “You come from a long line of great poets, some of the greatest poets since Homer. One of them said, “The very time I thought I was lost, my dungeon shook and my chains fell off…We cannot be free until they are free…”
As a cheerleader, I suggest watching Dr. Naim Akber’s presentation “Restoring our Pre-Columbian Mind.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOR4d-qc7z8
I also suggest a clip by Dr. Amos Wilson that showcases in succinct detail how the ability to “program” peoples’ self-perception manifests in the numerous ailments that plague the African Diaspora community that this blog rails against.
Once we grasp how this conditioning is done, we will have the insight to make informed choices as individuals that are constructive. When we combine WILL with ABILITY, this change in active consciousness will help bring about the reign of Justice. As author Neely Fuller Jr. says in his book, The Compensatory Code, justice guarantees that no one is mistreated, and guarantees that everyone that needs help, receives the most constructive help.” Mr. Fuller gives practical insight on what people can do on a minute by minute basis to be constructive as an active habit long before participation in “group” activities against outside oppression and sickness. Check out his weekly on-line show-The Compensatory Code-on Talktainment Radio.
As I elevate my Mind-set and take sole responsibility for gaining control of My-SELF…change outside of me, even if imperceptible at the moment, must concurrently reflect this inward shift. We reap what we sow; and Cause and Effect Laws are as precise as math.
These are exciting times. Although the possibility seems mythical and bleak, the lamb and lion will snuggle with each other, guns will be turned to plows and the meek will inherit this earth. Blessings on Your Journey.
Truth:
I neglected to add the YouTube clip of Dr. Amos Wilson that explains why it is a political necessity for blacks to be out of their minds.
Lots of ink and hot air will be used to point fingers about the symptoms of our very REAL misalignment, but there’s something to be said about Knowing Why. In most instances, we don’t even wonder why we don’t don’t wonder. The brother is deep in uncovering our pattern of concrete thinking and behavior. More to the point, The Matrix needs us to be precisely what we are, and where we are-to function.
With understanding, ABILITY and WILL, the blaming games stop, sleeves get rolled up to, and folks get busy being constructive.
Dr. Amos Wilson —-Feast… (particularly 36:00)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p_qkvwPtD8
Also review:
Dr. Marimba Ani, Dr. Joyce DeGruy, Dr. John Hendrick Clarke, Neely Fuller Jr., Dr. Francis Cress Welsing.
Nutrition- Dr. Sebi, Dehuty Maat-ra (Dhealthstore.com), Eat To Live (Dr. Joel Furhman), Vaccines Are Dangerous (Curtis Cost)
T.K. Berkel
Truth:
I neglected to add the YouTube clip of Dr. Amos Wilson that explains why it is a political necessity for blacks to be out of their minds.
Lots of ink and hot air will be used to point fingers about the symptoms of our very REAL misalignment, but there’s something to be said about Knowing Why. In most instances, we don’t even wonder why we don’t wonder. The brother is deep in uncovering our pattern of concrete thinking and behavior. More to the point, The Matrix needs us to be precisely what we are, and where we are–to function.
With understanding, ABILITY and WILL, the blaming games stop, sleeves get rolled up, and folks get busy being constructive.
Dr. Amos Wilson —-Feast… (particularly 36:00)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p_qkvwPtD8
Also review:
Dr. Marimba Ani, Dr. Joyce DeGruy, Dr. John Hendrick Clarke, Neely Fuller Jr., Dr. Francis Cress Welsing, Dr. Alice Miller (The Drama of the Gifted Child)
Nutrition– Dr. Sebi, Dehuty Maat-ra (Dhealthstore.com), Eat To Live (Dr. Joel Furhman), Vaccines Are Dangerous (Curtis Cost)