Thinking back to 2007-2008, Rozelle CAPA Elementary, Mrs. Burton's 5th grade class. I was big head Ivy with the gap, dimples, and huge ponytails out of this world (#PonytailOnFleekBabyGirl). In Mrs. Burton's class, we had a morning ritual of listening to Memphis' (STAX) own The Staple Singers "Respect Yourself." Not only was it a requirement to know the lyrics from beginning to end and vice versa, but you also had to get out of your seat and sing it loud and proud till every floor of the school could hear you. If you didn't have respect for yourself, then honey, you are what we call in the south a plum fool.
I don't know about you, but I do know that Delia, Maggie, Corrin, Ernestine, and Eva made sure I'd never become a fool, especially not a plum fool. You see my sisters, there needs not to be any metaphors nor smilies to whom you are or to be, for what on this Earth is great enough to be compared to rich complexion women such as ourselves. Realize that I did in fact say women instead of girls, because that's what we're in need of being right now. To be a genuine woman, finances, shelter, children, status, nor the materialistic things makes a woman -- never has and hopefully never will.
A woman is a female that has outgrown her childish ways from her girlhood, meaning she knows how to behave, empower, value, care, educate, and do so much more positive things for herself solely. Then once she learns how to do that for herself, then she goes out to teach other girls how to become women. Back at my elementary school, what I now realize what truly held that school together, was the strong black women we had there to keep it afloat. Act up, check, or bring the bad stuff you do at home into those doors, honey you'd never do it after the first time. If you didn't have a decent female role model at home, you had one there. Not only did they make sure you got your education, understand the difference between common sense and book smartness, learn to accept diversity, but overall they made sure you knew that you're very appreciated and loved. And that my sisters is what many of us, especially our little sisters have not grasped.
You are indeed extremely appreciated and loved!
Under any circumstances, do not, I repeat, do not, let any one or thing tell you any different. The mirror is lying to your face, the media is lying to your eyes, the music is lying to your ears, all the things they are shoving into you so that you may conform into a "better you (product)" it is all a lie.
Even those that look like you will try to bring you down and tell you different. One fact that I know, is that it has never been those of other ethnicities that held us back, for the longest its simply just been us. Think about it for a minute:
We've allowed ourselves to be portrayed as just a body/face, better yet as a sex symbol and loved because of physical attraction. Has no one ever thought of what the temple bear though? As a matter of fact, has he ever asked you what's in the temple or at least sought the word of God to find you? Maybe it's because your temple has shattered stain windows, no doors, and stenches of nonchalant "freedom," but that's nothing a little self-renovation can't solve.
We've allowed our successes and failures run on the fuel of hate. If you made it to the "top" by doing something that obviously (don't lie to yourself girl) isn't purely right nor legal, start over or stop while you can. If you failed at reaching something you desire instead of need, don't drag others down because you can't reach it, stop squinting and see that your need will actually boost you to get what you want. Stop breaking your sister's spirit by hurting her with words, and especially stop beating on your sister because of what you heard or who you saw her with.
We've allowed ourselves to serve several gods. Money, money, money, buys us false lifestyles that we choose to let define us, where as our self definition should come from our actions and beliefs, not our status by the green.
We've allowed these new generations to "grow up" faster than those ramen noodles you throw in the microwave can be ready. Little girls are out here wearing weave and makeup, cussing, dressing and speaking like they're grown. And somehow on social media, it's funny? A child needs to stay in a child's place, and you might think they're not listening nor watching, but they always are. Always.
We've allowed ourselves to settle. To settle! Who does that? The seven billion bodies that roam this earth came from you. You seriously think our foremothers died from overproduction of sweat, blood, and tears from working harder than any man could just for us to get this far and stop? I know not, ignore those who tell you that your standards are too high and that you're living in a fairy tale.
Why can't you love your sisters? Why can't you be more beautiful than Helen and Nefertiti combined? Why can't you be intelligent? Why can't be a college graduate? Why can't you be anything besides a bitch or hoe? Why can't you be a CEO? Why can't you be the President of the United States of America? Why can't you be more than just a mother? Why can't you stop looking for a man, and let him find you? Why can't you be that virtuous Godly woman?
Why can't you truly be you?
I'm sorry my sisters. Forgive me, forgive us, let's rise up.
#BlackGirlMagic
