I am that stereotypical black woman, but not for the reasons reality shows portray me as. I don't see my personality traits or characteristics as a problem. Stereotypes put me in box, but for all the wrong reasons and in the real world, I am only seen based off of these stereotypes. People make certain characteristics seem so bad like "all black people love fried chicken", but who doesn't love fried chicken? If you go to Popeye's or KFC right now, I bet black people won't be the only ethnic group you see. At that the end of the day, I am that stereotypical black woman and here's why.
They say, "I am an angry black woman."
I am angry sometimes, and I just happen to be a black woman but, I have the right to be. I am constantly being accused about caring too much about what's going on in the judicial system but if your innocent black brothers and sisters were getting killed and locked up, wouldn't you be angry too? It also angers me that many people from various races have a problem with the way I live my life from my hair to the people I hang out with down to the music I listen to. Yes! I, Nia Kennedy, am a black woman who enjoys country music and Hip-Hop, that wears weaves from time to time but also has short natural hair, and not all my friends are Black. I constantly have to defend myself to people who make absolutely no decisions in my life. So, if rolling my eyes at statements full of nonsense and not answering simple-minded questions and not letting you touch my hair like I am a zoo animal makes me an angry black woman, then so be it.
They say, "If I am not a size two, then I am not beautiful."
Black women always seem to be picked on for being anything less or more than a size two. Society has the world thinking that if she isn't a size two with a big butt, long hair (but not a weave) and looks pretty (but doesn't wear makeup) then she's not pretty. Men have this problem, but their Moms, Aunts, and Grandmas never looked like that. I love the way I look, and I never want to be a size two and probably never will be. I don't have long hair but, I am in love with my short hair. I am a plus size black woman that has a lot going for her whereas, many size two girls just go to the club and burn water. So men, would you rather be full and never bored or hungry and wanting more? The choice is up to you.
They say, "Her standards are too high."
The media for some reason has made it seem like it is a bad thing for black woman to be independent. Like not depending on someone for anything is breaking the rules. More and more black women are getting educated, starting businesses, and making their own moves; so why would they want to be with someone that will only bring them down and not raise them up on an even higher pedestal? Yes, my standards are high but, that is because an amazing couple Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy raised me to know I am worth something great, and that if any man can't see that, then he isn't worth my time. So if wanting more out of my partner because I know who I am, and that makes me a stereotypical independent black woman with too high of standards, then that's me all the way.
The media wants society us to think that black women have nothing positive going for them and that we aren't worth much, but they are sadly mistaken. That's why movements such as 'Black Girls Rock' and 'Black Girl Magic' were created to show the world. We are strong beautiful women who deserve the proper recognition. I, Nia Kennedy, am stereotypical black woman and proud to be.
