This had to be the theme of my late teens throughout my twenties, up till the mid-thirties.

 

"The Strong Black Woman".

 

Known for her resilience. Her humility. Her ability to power through the foggiest blizzard, yet, come out on top.

 

Most neglected, yet showing up and showing out at every turn. Even when under-served.

 

This has been the theme for many Black women, regardless of location or status.

 

The myth that the Black woman is "Strong" has been peddled from time immemorial. Probably originated since the days of slavery, when black women would tend to their own babies, yet tend to the babies of their mistresses as a wet nurse, carrying out back-breaking housework on their shoulders, and keeping the household together.

She never cracks. Does not cave. Throw what you will at her, she'll build a thriving lemon plantation and ask for more lemons.

 

Like a mercenary, she is always afoot and ready to keep going, irrespective of what may be going on around her, or whether is is remunerated appropriately. Prioritising the general good over personal well-being.

 

Whether as a corporate professional, soldiering through miscarriages and/or childbirth, and still putting in the hours to climb the ladder, without the comfort of a trust fund.

 

Or as an athlete, being the first on the track, the last to leave, and pulling all-nighters in the field.

 

Carrying on the burden of the whole team on one's head and back, and never caving in to such whimsical 'nonsense' of 'mental health'.

 

(Who will feed the children while she's gone??)

 

A theme re-inforced even in the media.

 

‘Normalised’ by Tyler Perry-esque narratives (no shade to Tyler Perry), urging Black women on as the infallible matriarchs they are. Whose personal lives may be in shambles, but have to keep showing up for everyone else.

 

Constantly belting R-E-S-P-E-C-T, not getting the deserving respect, yet, pushing through and soldiering on.

 

Even donning the cloak of "I'm every woman, it's all in meeeeeee", because what can't the "Strong Black Woman" be or do???

 

Welll... this generation of Black women is pumping the brakes on all of that higi-haga, holding up their hands in the air, and saying, na ah, I am NOT every woman. It is NOT all in me. There are MANY women for allllll a'dem roles, pick your choice (and pay them well).

 

(And we're here for it)

 

*Claps in excited applause*

 

 

We have held our global WhatsApp meeting (i.e. the Global Association of Strong Black Women), and passed the resolution that the Strong, Black Woman deserves a LOOOONG overdue vacation in the Maldives, with no particular date of return.

 

In the meantime, we usher in and embrace her replacementS (note the plural):

 

- the SOFT black Woman

- the chill Black Woman

- the laid-back Black Woman

- the bungee- jumpin-forever-bachelorette Black Woman

- the well-paid-well-taken-care of Black Woman

- the golfing-after-work-like-her-colleagues Black Woman

- the tea-sipping-daytime-tv-watching Black Woman

- the take-a-day-off-from-work-because-I-have-a-bad-hair-day Black Woman

- the lets-it-all-out-and-ruins-her-mascara Black woman

and most  of all;

- the puts-her-mental-and-physical-wellbeing-first Black Woman

 

These days, Black Women are practicing DELIBERATE SOFTNESS. Black women are leading conversations and saying listen, I deserve to be treated like my female and male peers.

 

To be equally looked upon with compassion when I say I am struggling, and be given a break, without unkind and false inference of laziness. 

 

To be accorded deserved privileges, without having to jump through extra hoops to prove I deserve a seat at the table. 

 Most important of all, Black Women are saying if you don't understand why we're just done with all of THIS mess, then...

 

Bye, Felicia. ✌

 

Paz,

 

Meg.

Photo-Credits: 

Naomi Osaka: www.cnn.com

Simone Biles: www.people.com

Quote by Brianna Laren: www.facebook.com

Nikole Hannah-Jones: www.nbcnews.com