Strong Black Woman

Black women are often described as being superwomen, or as being STRONG. Even though this is meant to be a compliment, it is a stereotype about Black women that has also been viewed negatively when it comes to the workplace, or even in advocating for their basic rights. It would appear as if the birthright of Black womanhood is strength.  In addition to being described as STRONG, Black women are also seen as being promiscuous, lazy, ghetto, and aggressive. According to Hills-Collins (2000), within U.S. culture, racist and sexist ideologies flood the social structure, so they are viewed as natural, normal, and inevitable. In this context according to Hills-Collins, certain assumed qualities attached to Black women are used to justify oppression;  mammies, jezebels, and breeder women of slavery to the smiling Aunt Jemimas on pancake mix boxes, ever-present Black prostitutes, and ever-present welfare mothers of modern pop culture; negative stereotypes applied to African-American women have been central to Black women’s oppression.- hill collins (2000)

Single Black mothers are praised for their strength, and perseverance for managing poverty and maintaining a household, while sacrificing their social life, their ambitions, dreams and goals. Their display of strength does not go unnoticed, but the cries at night, the stress, and the anxiety are completely ignored.

Black women are tasked in dismantling oppressive barriers at the expense of their physical and mental health. Black women have been taught to be twice as good as their white counterpart in order to be recognized and/or rewarded. Black women endure subtle put downs, and nonverbal exchanges to be appreciated and liked in the workplace. Endure dismissive looks, tones, and gestures in daily lives that are indistinct, so they are often ignored, or viewed as being innocent and harmless (Sue, Capodilupo, Torino Bucceri, Holder, Nadal & Esquilin, 2007).  

Microassault can be defined as explicit verbal or nonverbal attack meant to hurt the intended victim through name calling, avoidant behavior, or purposeful discriminatory actions. 

Microinvalidation is communication that exclude, negate, or nullify the psychological thoughts, feelings, or experiential reality of a person of color, and;

Microinsult, which is communication that conveys rudeness and insensitivity and demean a person’s racial heritage or identity (Sue et al, 2007).

It should be noted that these displays of microaggressive behaviors are damaging to people of color, as not only does it impact performance in many environments, it also draws out “the psychic and spiritual energy of recipients and by creating inequities” (Sue et al, 2007). 

Mainstream media highlights, encourages, and pushes the narrative of the angry Black woman, the crack addicted welfare abusing mother, the single parent, the uneducated Black woman. While white women are portrayed on mainstream television positively. They are portrayed as doctors, lawyers, the loving mother and wife…the savior. Black women are not only battling microaggressions, discrimination, and oppressive structures on television, but in everyday life. Yes, Black women are strong, and this is as a result of societal constructs that they have no control over. Being strong is the only way they know how to survive. Being strong is the only thing they know. Being strong is the only choice.

When Black women become exhausted, instead of seeking help, they are encouraged to seek spiritual or religious guidance from those who are not always equipped to deal with historical trauma. It is important work for all of us to explore how stereotypes are formed in order to actively and successfully dismiss them. Most individuals base their expectations on beliefs and tend to ignore or reject information that is inconsistent with these stereotypical beliefs. Instead, they search for information that supports them.  It is my hope that we will encourage each other to challenge misinformation regarding Black women and be consistent in the fight to dispel damaging stereotypes.

Black women are not stronger than any other race of women in society. They bleed the same, hurt the same and love the same. They are strong because that’s the only way they know how to be, and WE are tired. We are tired of playing nice to appease those who oppress us, tired of smiling in the faces of oppressors while they stab us in the back, tired of being the most productive and qualified person for the job but overlooked for promotions, tired of taking on additional workload while our white male counterparts are paid more. Tired of being called out for being aggressive, while others are labeled articulate and outspoken. Tired of having to justify our presence at tables we helped to build, tired of being scrutinized for being Black face in a White space because we are thought of being non-deserving or not belonging. Tired of being tired.

Hill Collins (2000) , Black feminist thought: knowledge, consciousness and the politics of empowerment

Sue, D. W., Capodilupo, M.C., Torino, C.G., Bucceri, M.J., Holder, M.B.A., Nadal, L.K., & Esquilin, M. (2007). Racial Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Implications for Clinical Practice. American Psychologist, 62 (4), 271-286.

Sue, D.W., Capodilupo, M.C., & Holder, B.M.A. (2008). Racial Microaggressions in the Life Experience of Black Americans. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 39 (3), 329-336.