Re-Label It! Saturdays.

One of the things that I would like to get more black women to understand is that too many of us participate in the disparaging of our own image. Due to the fact that we have no private spaces in which to discuss our issues and develop a sense of autonomy, we often take cues for our identity from sources outside of ourselves. One of the most depressing things that I have been seeing lately are these"ratchet" memes and "Niggas/Hoes or Bitches Be Like" memes. To my horror, many black women participate in the sharing of these images. What you must understand however, is that, when you do, you are only hurting yourself. Here are several points to consider:

1. If you can agree that, due to black women not being in control of their own image, that there exist many instances of open disrespect of our bodies and spirits, then you also have to agree that the above mentioned instances are part of that very assault. If they are not, please explain to me in detail how they are not? How do memes that make fun of black women for being fat, or wearing their hair a certain way, uplift us? Why do you as a black woman, feel so comfortable with your own image being attacked? Is the cheap laugh you get really worth it?

2. The reason why so many people feel comfortable disrespecting black women is because they see that black women do nothing but engage in the same kind of disrespect....of themselves. If they don't see you putting value on the black female body, then why should they? Your blatant disregard for your respectability does nothing but invite other people to feel entitled to disrespect you. If you continue to laugh at these images and pass them around, then you need to stop claiming BWE because you are clearly not down for the cause.

3. By doing this, you are cavorting with the enemy and you will be responsible for this mess continuing to be loaded on the shoulders of another generation of black women and girls. Tell me, how do you think that the promotion of these images are good for black women? Are they positive in anyway? Are they uplifting? You need to make a choice right now as to who's side you are truly on because it isn't black women's.

So where am I going with this? Well, I will tell you. My goal is take some of the images (the ones that I find the least offensive) and relabel them with positive affirmation that will uplift black women and I hope to make you all question and become more aware of how pervasive and matter-of-fact the hatred of of the black female body is in this society. I really want you to question several things:

1.Why are so many black women comfortable passing these images?
2. Have you participated in this and why?
3.Do you feel any resistance to the call to stop perpetuating these things and why? 

If  you are in any way feeling offended by what I have said or you're doing mental gymnastics in your head to try to justify your participation in this foolishness, let me give you one last pearl of wisdom: that feeling of resistance is not you fighting to prove that you are right, it's your conscience convicting you that you're wrong. Don't be afraid of the fact that you have been wrong. Be afraid of never changing. 

Stop this foolishness. For our daughters' sakes.