I choose not to live under the pretense that because I am a Black woman I have to live in a state of oppression and marginalization.
I’ve found myself expecting others to see my skin color and judge me based on that or treat me differently because of it. Myself and others within the Black community constantly bring voice to the struggles that come with being Black to continuously find our voice unheard and misunderstood. I give my energy to these experiences of racism, explaining why racist comments or actions are racist to find that the ones that are willing to catch on will, and others will simply remain ignorant. I’ve decided to let it go.
I am a Black woman in America, but I will not live in a state of oppression and marginalization.
I love my life, and I love being a Black woman. I am thankful to the men and women who fought for years to bring the Black community to where we are today and to those who continue to fight. Yet, I refuse to constantly look at my life through a lens of oppression.
I don’t want to live thinking that I will never get to accomplish my goals because I’m oppressed. I refuse to allow oppression to have that power over me.
Recently, I read excerpts of a book called “The Souls of Black Folk” by W.E.B. Du Bois. In it, he highlighted a specific point that I had never considered. He explained how the world views Black people through a veil. That is a barrier stopping a true understanding of Black people as humans. That veil also prohibits Black people from seeing themselves as they truly are, which is a community of empowerment, intelligence, strength and so much more. The veil blinds and tells us that we should view ourselves as oppressed and act accordingly.
I want to break myself from that veil and view myself under the beauty that a Black woman holds. I think that as a community, it’s important to stop and celebrate all it is that we can do regardless of the ignorant racists out there. We are a powerful people who have the opportunity to create change and live great lives through the hard work we put in.
I love the idea of just being able to live without worrying about whether I’ll be discriminated against. A world where I’m not expecting my white professor to say the n-word in class. A world where I’m not called on to discuss issues within the Black community in front of a class full of white people. Yet, this dream world won’t happen any time soon. So, I will stand tall and joyful in my skin tone, pushing forward with success.
I am aware of the oppression that the Black community has endured for years on end.
I have experienced oppression, discrimination, and racism, more than a few times.
Yet, I am a Black woman in America and I refuse to live under any veil that hides my power.
Edited by LeSha’ Davis and Regina Cassell
