For as long as I can remember, the plight of black women has been somewhat of a depressing tale. I suppose it is lovely to hear stories about African queens, protected wives, and cherished mothers. Then the harsh realities of slavery kick in, and we are left to scornfully listen to the hardships that these women had to endure. The daughters of royalty suddenly became slaves to white people and even their own black men. If black men were considered “nothing” during those times, then black women were less than that. Not only were they severely mistreated, but they were violated in every way imaginable. These women were beaten, raped, and forced to bare children by any man who took them. They had no rights or say so in how their lives were lived or ended.
During the late 50’s and early 60’s the Civil Rights movement began, and black women reclaimed some of their power. These women were able to take a bigger stance against inequality and demand justice. This period is considered to be the second wave in the Feminist Movement. Women wanted to see changes in social attitudes as well as economic, reproductive, and educational equality. The new feminist movement brought about economic equality, political power, professional equality, and reproductive freedom.
The 80’s and 90’s provided an era where black women were not only the primary bread winners, heads of their household, but also more independent than ever. Black men and women became inducted into corporate America. Somewhere during this time black women began a premise that they didn’t need a man to be successful, especially not a black one. Many black women began to detach themselves from the idea that they needed to get married and have a man take care of them. This became true because in reality many black men were not taking care of their women and children to begin with.
Unfortunately while black women were achieving all their success and great strides, there came a deep rooted resentment for them. This age of independence also left a stereotypical mark on black women that they are; aggressive, domineering, and self-important. I believe that in certain parts of society black woman are still deemed as less than everyone else when going down the food chain of humanity.
In the late 90’s there began the era of “hip hop” culture. Somehow black men went from having a moderate level of respect for black women to calling them “bitches and ho’s”. The media had a field day with providing music and images of black women as strippers and prostitutes on welfare. The degradation of black women took its toll. Many young women had forgotten all that was accomplished during the Civil Rights era and began to embrace that way of thinking. This created a divided line for women who chose to continue the efforts that were won during the movements and women who supported pop culture and everything that comes along with it.
Somehow as united black people we need to come to a place where we can embrace each other from the times of the struggle to where we are now. In this day and age it is really hard to find positive images of black women. African Americans have made great strides, especially since we have gained our first black president. Hopefully this will not cause a greater rift in our men and women. An even greater accomplishment perhaps would be if suddenly one day we all found ourselves on the same playing field, regardless of race/sex/gender.
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