thedifferentmomblogGrowing up in an all white town, my “friends” let me know I was black all the time, by the things they would say, do, and/or not do. I’m not sure if it bothered me or not. But now I can say, I love being a black woman. It seemed to be the norm. But as I got older, and started reading and educating myself more, my eyes were opened to their prejudices.
To this day though, I bet they won’t admit that they are racist or prejudices. Why? Because that’s the way it’s always been for them. They don’t see their words or actions as wrong.
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I would always hear, “I’m darker than you,” when they got a tan. Or they don’t see anything wrong with saying black people steal or are lazy. Those were the minor things.
It’s OK for me to be less than, but don’t you dare point any of that out to them. And don’t you ask for equality. You are wrong if you do. *insert eye roll*
I could write an entire essay on the racism I experienced growing up, and continue to experience…all because the so called ignorance, or maybe even intentional foolishness of those who grew up “that way.”
However, I will write that book soon enough, so stay tuned. Right now, I just want to tell you why I love me. How I love being a black woman.
Black Woman Pride
Coming to college, and getting an education, opened up my mind. Even though I had a mother, and two grandmothers who are/were amazing women, I grew into my own.
I majored in African/African-American Studies, and learned so much about myself, and my people. I learned truths. And I learned about the beauty, the intelligence, and the excellence that oozes from my veins.
And because of this…
To this day, I am a proud unapologetic black woman! You see my independence, my strength, my drive, my tenacious spirit as threats. And that’s fine.
But baby, I LOVE BEING A BLACK WOMAN! I’m not what you should fear. Even though you do. Perhaps you are afraid of me because media and society tells you to be. Or you fear me, because you ain’t me. Perhaps you fear me because I will one day get other women like me to rise up, and you can no longer have your thumb on us? But regardless, we are here and we are amazing!
I love being who I am, and who God created me to be. Undoubtedly, there are some who do and some who don’t love me. But, it doesn’t bother me if a white man doesn’t love it. I don’t care if the black man doesn’t. Or even if a white woman, black woman, Asian man, Asian woman, Native man or Native woman like it or not.
I love being a beautiful black woman
I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and I am beautiful. Statistics show, I am a part of the most educated demographic population on earth.
You can define me as successful, and I am a great mother, raising great children.
No, I don’t obsess about having my hair done the way you think it should be. Being curvy is not my goal, and no I’m not knocking those that strive for that. Working out and sports are things I enjoy. But don’t get it twisted, I am still a black woman. And, yes, I love it!
Mama and/or woman, I’m telling you, to love you too! You are a beautiful, amazing black woman. And don’t let anyone diminish your worth. I honestly think, we are the envy of so many. Walk in that! Accept it! Embrace it!
Don’t make excuses for who you are. And don’t apologize for who you are.
The world might not see my worth or my beauty. But I see it in myself, and in ever black woman I encounter. That has taken me a while to get there, but I am there.
Don’t you make the same mistakes I have. That’s why I started this blog. I want to give you a head start. Or allow you to come out of where you are.
I know it seems tough to be you. And it seems to be like a burden sometimes, but don’t stop loving yourself, and don’t apologize. You are enough!
My Strength
I can tell you now, I have learned to handle my adversity. I am stronger than most of my peers. But that doesn’t make me a threat to you. Unless you of course, create that monster in your own mind.
I am an independent woman, because of choices I made, but also because I was raised to be by my mother and father. And I don’t care who finds it difficult. I’m not changing.
Like so many other black women, we love the Lord. We worship a true and living God. We will praise Him even when it’s not popular. And make no apologies about it.
We attend church more than once a week. I’ve been known to praise in my car, and I’m sure I’m not alone. We raise our children in church. Prayer closets are a must in our homes. We serve on the motherboard, the usher board, in the music ministry.
And because many of us have prayed for you, you are where you are today.
There’s power in our words. There’s strength in our voice.
Strong black women have carried families on our backs for decades. We’ve raised our children and white children, on top of taken care of our homes and white people’s homes.
Love who we are…
We are inventors, doctors, teachers, homemakers, successful business owners, engineers, and even athletes.
Black women are resourceful. Brilliance is something we are known for. Being an over comer is our norm. And we are capable of anything…we are capable of greatness.
Even though I am feared, or not your idea of beauty or success, I am loved by so many. But I am loved by myself, and I am a proud black woman, who I love being.
To read more about me-the different mom, click here.
Hold your head high sister! Love who you are! (not an affiliate link)
