A part of me was very hesitant in writing this post. The title alone, I suspect, will make a sceptic of some. Without giving regard to the words given to me by The Creator to share, people will attach criticisms such as “divisive” or “race baiting”, among others. Assumptions will lead to cries of “What about us?” and “We matter too!”, and I am not dismissing these feelings in any way. Everyone’s life is precious and matters dearly to The Creator; however, this post is for the women with whom I identify. The women whose skin is the color of the earth. This post is for my sisters whose ancestors grew from the heart of Africa and for the women who are constantly facing oppression and opposition from all sides. And the side that for myself and many other women who I see as kin, is the most against us are the men that share the same melanated skin as us. This letter is for my black brothers and sisters and anyone else who would like to venture in understanding the pain of a black woman’s heart.
Dear Black Men,
I have a question for you? Why does it seem like myself along with my black sisters are never enough for you? It’s as if the melanated skin that matches that of your mothers’ and sisters’ is something you wouldn’t prefer. It’s as though the beautiful crown of hair on our heads is too “untamable” or “unmanageable” for your liking. Scrolling through social media we see unattainable images of women you want us to look like. Like the way God made us, isn’t enough. It appears to be that your Eurocentric way of viewing beauty completely exempts us. Everyday I see the same women who have helped black people rise from the ashes of what was slavery, Jim Crow, and all other types of systemic oppression that was and continues to be thrown our way, are now constantly bashed and treated unfairly. I understand that this world has been very unfair to you as well black men and that breaks my heart as well. I will spend every day of my life fighting so that everyone sees you as human and that your life matters. But right now I am asking that you do the same for myself and all my beautiful black sisters. Our lives are important! We matter! The Lord says that we too were made in his image. That we are dear to him and are abundantly loved by The Creator. Jesus Christ died on the cross for us too. We matter to him and he delights in the fact that we are his. So Black Men, I am asking you please to see us just the same. To not see us as objects for your own physical gratification or for instruments to be used for your own agenda, but as humans that inherent life has value because The Creator of all the universe said so. I am not bashing you, or saying that we as black women are perfect, or that every single black man mistreats us, but what I am saying is that I have heard the cry of my sisters and I want their voice to be heard. I want my sisters to be loved and cherished because we matter. The creator says we are precious and worthy to be loved so can you too please see us as image bearers of the most high?
Peace and Blessings,
A Black Women
