Makewetalknow

This is an article for all black women out there. I know very well, as a historian, the traumas that have affected your collective psyche. You’ve proven to be incredibly strong and resilient in the face of attempts to discredit and eradicate your existence. Black women have endured unthinkable hardships around the world over the past century, including apartheid in South Africa, Jim Crow laws in the US, and anti-colonial movements in Africa and the Caribbean.

Not only that, but you have been the victim of numerous crimes against humanity. You’ve been at the forefront of resistance, fighting against forced sterilization, systemic racism, and economic marginalization while also supporting families and communities. This legacy of resilience exemplifies Black women’s unbreakable spirit.

Today, the media’s pressure to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards can be overwhelming, bombarding you with images that erase your natural beauty. The expectation that you straighten, bleach, or cover up your natural hair is an oppressive tool that seeks to take away your cultural identity and heritage. You must, however, defy these expectations and honor your distinct ancestry.

Keeping your hair and identity intact is an act of self-love and resistance, not just a personal decision. Your natural hair and skin tone are an integral part of who you are; embrace them. Define beauty for yourself, and take pride in your unique qualities.

Your natural hair was a sign of dignity, spirituality, and royalty worn by your ancestors, who were queens, warriors, and community leaders. They built strong communities and families in the face of unthinkable hardship. You carry on their legacy by demonstrating the courage and strength that characterize Black women.

No other race of woman has experienced what you have. Your strength is rooted in the sacrifices and victories of those who came before you. You’ve not only survived, but thrived despite the odds. Your resilience is demonstrated by your ability to love, care for others, and build strong communities; you are the foundation of your families, communities, and culture.

To the Black women who deserve to be celebrated and cherished every day, I see you and appreciate you. I urge you to take every possible precaution to protect your identity, heritage, and culture; you are valuable simply for being yourself. Stand tall, embrace your natural beauty and strength, and recognize that your worth runs deep. Your ancestors’ strength, courage, and perseverance live on through you, and their resilience in the face of impossibly difficult circumstances demonstrates your own power. You are enough, deserving, and appreciated.