#black women lives matter
Megan Thee Stallion: Why I Speak Up for Black Women
“I’m not afraid of criticism, and “Protect Black women” should not be controversial.”
Get yourself friends that validate your traumatic experiences, thoughts, and feelings instead of questioning them.
To all my Black girls out there, please know that you are loved and that you do not always have to show up for others, especially in a society that doesn’t always show up for you.
To all my Black girls out there, please know that you are loved and that you do not always have to show up for others, especially in a society that doesn’t always show up for you.
Black women deserve to be taken care of vs always being the caretakers.
Read that again.
Love the support behind this post!
This is a post about emotional and physical safety. There are different forms of caretaking - emotional, physical, etc. This isn’t a post about literally being taken care of, however, there’s nothing wrong if this post resignated with you in that way. In our culture, Black women have always been the matriarchs, and with that, our health, safety, and needs fall to the side. Many have seen this with their grandmothers, mothers, sisters, themselves, etc. It is the norm for many.
Black women are also seen as being “strong” as if we don’t feel pain so we don’t need to be tended to… we’ve seen our physical and mental safety be disregarded especially in the healthcare system and we’ve been gaslighted even in our own community.
This post is a reminder that you deserve to have your emotional and physical well-being cared for, this shouldn’t be one-sided.
In order to see change, mindsets that have been held for a long time need to change and awareness needs to be brought. Tags like #blackgirlsmatter and #supportblackwomen exist for a reason.
Black women deserve to be taken care of vs always being the caretakers.
Read that again.
Sometimes you really just have to let some people be in their damn feelings!
While your intentions are good, offering unwarranted solutions when someone’s feeling low AF can often times dig a deeper hole, ex: more negative thoughts, bring on anxiety/increase anxiety, feeling misunderstood, feeling incapable while also feeling pressure (ex: omg I have to try to bring myself to do XYZ to get out of this episode when I’m already struggling with X?!), etc.
What I mean by unwarranted solutions is saying things like, “I did this and it worked”, “you should try this”, “that’s tough…. BUT have you thought about”….
JEEZUS MAKE IT STOP!!!
Okay… but how do I know whether to give my input or not?
When someone’s venting to you, ask them if they’d like your input/advice or if they prefer you to just listen.
If they want you to just listen, JUST LISTEN. Don’t feel like you need to solve a problem or provide therapy unless you’re actually their therapist!
‼️However, if this person is in harm (this also includes harming themselves) and the situation is detrimental to their well being, definitely do not take a back seat! Listen to what they’re telling you, sometimes it’s not just venting.‼️
A listening ear sometimes, especially from a friend, is more than enough. Let them be in their damn feelings! #respectfully
