Sojourner Truth once said, “Ain’t I A Woman?” She said this at a time when African-Americans were fighting for their rights, but the female voice was often left out. She said this in 1851 because she was tired of people speaking for her.
Today in the 21st century we see that things haven’t changed as much as some of us like to think. Black women in media are always shown as sassy or ghetto, yet they are never shown the patience that they earned after years of fighting for their basic human rights. The patience needed after the 15th white person has asked condescendingly “Can I touch your hair?” The media never shows smart Black women, kind Black women, the Black women who have been courageous enough to fight for equal rights by themselves. There is no such thing as an angry Black woman. Sure, there’s a Black woman who happens to be angry. But, when considering the trials and tribulations, you too would say that this anger is well-deserved.
1. Black women are left vulnerable to the Criminal Justice System
Black women are more likely to be murdered than any other woman in America. Concerning Incarceration, the Black Women’s Round Table reported that incarceration amongst Black women has fallen tremendously despite legislation that has proven to work against them. Since the Stand Your Ground law was enacted, White women have been twice as likely to be justified for a crime and not given a punishment than a black woman.
Time and time again, we see Black women’s voices being left out when it pertains to issues that affect both Black men and women and it’s no different concerning the issue of police brutality. In fact, the media didn’t start covering the experiences of Black women until after the tragic death of Sandra Bland, even though more than 20 Black women have been killed by the police. In addition to this, Black women’s stories of sexual assault by police officers are not featured in the media.
2. Black Women are disproportionately hurt by the economy.
They have been involved in the labor force since the beginning of the American experience. The Black Women’s Roundtable reported that although they face more disadvantages than their counterparts, Black women lead all women in the workforce. However, despite how “[Black women] are overwhelmingly likely to work…[they] remain behind economically largely due to a double disadvantage of the wage gap and overrepresentation in low-wage fields.”
“Due to a lack of overall wealth accumulation, Black women over 65 have the lowest household income of any demographic. Black women are especially at risk of poverty in their retirement years. As retirees, Black women experience a poverty rate fully five times that of white men (16% vs. 3%).”
3. Black women are underrepresented in government positions.
From Shirley Chisolm to Carol Mosely-Braun and beyond, Black women have been breaking down barriers in electoral politics as both lawmakers and engaged members of the electorate for decades. Black women make up the most dynamic segment of the Rising American Electorate. In the past two presidential elections, Black women have had a higher turnout than any other demographic- clearly exemplifying their eagerness to be involved in the process. Although they are increasingly participating in the political process, they only hold 3% of state legislative seats and less than 3% of the U.S congressional. Recently Kamala Harris became only the second Black woman elected to the U.S Senate
While Black women in the United States are more vulnerable to health problems and violence than other groups, they’re making strides in education and business ownership. Still, Black women have shown an ever increasing commitment to advocacy and action at every level of the political system. From the Ballot Box to the Halls of Congress, Black women can and do make a difference. Each and every day Black women wake up every day to strive to be twice as good and still be treated twice as less. Each day, women who look like me are silenced because they are scared that if they share their opinion they will automatically be seen as “rude”. Black women lose parts of themselves every day just to keep jobs and friendships.Black women make these sacrifices because they are courageous. They are strong. And most importantly, they are fighters. So maybe it’s time for us as a society to stop stereotyping the average Black woman and maybe listen to what she has to say. Because if you were a Black woman, you would be angry too.
