Black women get a bad rap in society. We get hit from all sides. A black woman can't get upset, if she does, then she is forever labeled an "angry black woman." The stigma with being labeled angry has tarnished the image of black women in every facet of our lives, from our relationships to out careers. If we get upset when we have been wronged at work, we receive the label. Of course, the same isn't true for our white counterparts. They get upset all the time, yet they aren't labeled "angry white women." This blog isn't to take shots at white women but only to explore the reality of being a black woman. Even our men justify dating outside the race, by saying black women are too angry. As if women from other cultures don't cuss and fuss at their men.
So if we want to progress in our careers, we have to make sure not to rock any boats and GOD FORBID a black woman have any type of emotional outburst and become highly upset and let it be known. It's like career suicide. Where did this stigma originate? Was it when black women decided that they weren't going to be treated like property anymore or was it when we decided that we deserved to be treated like equals? Whenever it was, this stigma has made it hard for black women to thrive in the world.
Black women have always had to be strong. We often are single parents and have to work and raise kids. We've had to endure begging the government for handouts and cleaning toilets just to feed our children. These things we are not proud of, but we are strong and will do whatever it takes to take care of our families. So I believe we have a right to demand more without being labeled as angry.
The age of the docile woman is over. Even Asian women, who have always been seen as the epitome of docility, are becoming more independent and outspoken. Yet, you don't see anyone calling them "angry Asian women." Haven't we had to suffer enough? It's hard enough getting respect as a woman, without having to worry about whether you come off too black and angry. Can the sistas please catch a break?
1 comment:
I sooo agree and yes it does hurt our careers. Not only can we not get angry without "intimidating" and "threatening" others, our tears (hello hillary clinton) are ignored. Its something that really ANGERS me. Fact of the matter is black women and girls have to deal with a lot more stress than a lot of other women in America and from what I am learning, in many other parts of the world as well.
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