Dear Black women,
The beauty and elegance beholden to our melanin shades is far too magical for the world to comprehend. There’s power in our walk, one filled with strength and resilience. There’s beauty in the way we talk; it is as beautiful as a lullaby being sung to a baby barely holding onto wakefulness.
In a world where we are not valued or given the same privileges as others, we chose to fight. In a world where we are mocked for our features, we hold our heads high and find beauty within ourselves in place of their standards. In a world where we are mocked for our features, we watch them become mainstream and trendy. In a world where our hair is considered unprofessional and banned from the workplace...
They don’t understand that in our hair they’ll find timeless, beautiful art, if only they remove their prejudiced lenses. Or perhaps they do see it, and somehow, this very reality terrifies their insecure, white supremacist minds.
I sincerely apologize on behalf of the world to any Black woman who never felt beautiful enough, who was fed lies by the world in constant streams, and who eventually fell for its taste. I want you to know that you’re beautiful, you’re fantastic, you’re amazing, you’re great, you’re magnificent, you’re worthy. I sincerely apologize on behalf of the world to mothers who lost their children to police brutality and who watched as their children — falsely accused of crimes — became victims of incarceration. I apologize for all the trauma and generational curses we’ve been handed and are forced to break. I sincerely apologize on behalf of the world to any Black woman who was told, ‘You’re pretty for a Black woman.’ I sincerely apologize on behalf of the world to any Black woman who was told, ‘You’re too dark for me.’ I sincerely apologize on behalf of the world to any Black woman who was abused, cheated on, discarded, undervalued.
I want to thank Black women on behalf of the world for breaking generational trauma and curses. I want to thank you for making life easier for the generations to come. I want to thank you for fighting your demons on your darkest days. I want to thank you for being amazing. I want to thank you for your intelligence and hard work. I want to thank you for setting the bar so high. I want to thank you for smiling. I want to thank you for being determined to make the world a better place as your chests fill with pain and agony. I want to thank you for not giving up. Despite what the world tells you, we need you, we want you, we value you. I need you, I want you, I value you.
I have a dream where little Black girls find themselves beautiful without the guise of blonde hair and blue eyes. I have a dream where sisters do not lose their sisters to police brutality. I have a dream where Black women are valued and appreciated. I have a dream where younger generations of Black women no longer need to break generational curses. I have a dream where the world is kinder to us. I have a dream where Black women work in their profession of choice. I have a dream where the world allows us to express our emotions without being seen as the ‘angry Black woman.’ I have a dream where we no longer have to be angry. I have a dream where the world recognizes the beauty we possess. I dream that someday this will all come true.
Though they have made being Black an obstacle, I would say that it is by far our biggest blessing. While the world is determined to confine us to cages, we break out and magnify that which is Black excellence.
With all my love,
A fellow Black woman