In one of my classes, we read the novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Nora Zeale Hurston. Although most people view it as a love story that the main character has with the different men in her life, I view it differently. I view it as a black woman’s spirit being confined by the society she is in. Her grandmother once told her "the black woman is the mule of the world." I think this statement was relevant when Hurston wrote this novel, but I believe it is even more relevant today. Being black or being a woman has never been popular in our society, so to be both seems to be asking for trouble. Everyone recognizes the struggles that black men have every day, but no one seems to understand the struggles of a black woman. The black women in today’s society seem almost invincible, but at the same time, we’re moving mountains. I, as a black woman, recognize your struggle and I want to offer an apology.
I want to apologize to the women whose names have become so known because of the death of their sons. Lesley McSpadden-Head, Sybrina Fulton, Wanda Johnson, and Gwen Carr. I’m sorry that no one seemed to notice your strength as you stood in front of cameras and defended the life of your son that was taken so mercilessness. I’m sure you cried, but at some point, you had to straighten, up, right? At some point, you had to be the backbone of your family. You are the living embodiment of what black women have been doing since we were placed on this earth. Keeping families together. Whether that be through raising your family on your own or simply making sure everyone had a place to eat on Thanksgiving.
I’m sorry that we don’t have the choice of which rights are more important and therefore which one do we fight for first? Do we fight for our rights as women first or do we fight for equality as a race? I know one might say that both can be fought at the same time, it, however, sometimes feels like you’re rejecting a part of yourself to make another part of yourself more relevant or important.
I’m sorry that our beauty is ridiculed, but at the same time sexualized. I’m sorry that it seems that people like the idea of us, rather than trying to get to know us and be a part of us.
No one understands the load that you carry. The history that you are burdened with. I’m sorry that we have to be strong. Past and present events will never let us rest. We will constantly have to fight. We will constantly have to put our families on our backs and carry them. I apologize, but black women, you are needed. We may feel under-appreciated, but the world still needs us. Our families still need us. So, put on the smile that you are so used to wearing, square your shoulders, and push back any signs of weakness. Take care of everyone like you do best. It seems like our time hasn’t come yet, and I apologize.
