Stereotypes are one of the most dreadful things in the world. Made up of social stigmas, over exaggeration, fear, and hate time and time again they have had negative effects on practically everyone on the planet. One that plagues my own is existence is that as a black woman I am too loud and with that my opinion is not needed.
Many times, even as a child, I have decided not to speak up, have ignored certain things, and hushed my mouth because I didn’t want to be plagued as the angry and loud black woman stirring up trouble. I felt ashamed using my voice sometimes. People automatically pinned me as abrasive and aggressive, making me insecure about the thoughts in my head.
The loud black woman stereotype has been meant to quiet black woman from speaking against disrespect, injustices, and negativity. When a white woman stands up for herself it’s a heroic, but when a black woman does it’s confrontational.
Fuck that!
As women we are paid less, sexually harassed, treated like we’re inadequate, and so many other atrocities, but as black women we have it even harder. We are cast out, overlooked, mistreated, and shamed. We deal with a large heap of shit and we must use our voices.
House Rep Maxine Waters is an excellent example of a black woman who won’t be quiet. Ever since President Donald Trump was elected she has been to almost every media outlet explaining how he can and is destroying our country. She is constantly on the house floor reading him and other Republicans to shreds. Fox News anchors have poked fun at her, told her to shut her mouth, and other volatile things, but she has every right to speak up for her constituents and herself.
When you have something important to say, say it!
When someone is doing you wrong, call them out!
When you have a plausible solution for the problem being talked about at your work meeting, present it!
When you get skipped in line at the grocery store, speak out!
When someone calls you a bitch, read their ass like a Judy Bloom book!
When you are having fun, yell “ayyyyye” at the top of your lungs!
What you have to say is important. How you feel, what’s on your mind, your ideas, your questions, everything. Don’t quiet yourself for anyone. Be loud black girl!
Budding author, poet, and blogger Chani The Hippie is paving her own way. Born outside of Boston and raised in Detroit her writings match her fiery attitude.
Her book “Freedom Fighter” was released in March 2016 and her book “We: A Love Story” in February 2017.
See more from Chani the hippie on her website www.chanithehippie.com
Or follow her : @chanithahippie on twitter
@thehippie on IG