Black Women Respond: What is it like being a Black Woman in America? May 22, 2013Expert BlogsOff

After watching part 2 of the Black in America series, I knew I had to write this weeks blog about the topic and enlist a few Black Women to step up to the mic and sound off on “what is it like being a black woman in America?” While I realize this a very loaded and complex question, I put it out on a social networking site to see what other Black women thought and here is what I got.

“Being a Black woman in America for me is a constant, perpetual struggle. Having to prove that I say who I am – proud, determined ambitious and goal driven is part of that struggle. It has become common-place for me to be on top of my game, be competitive in a non-colored man’s world, and work my butt off to prove I have arrived.” Bev Wehmer.

“Catrice. Being a black women in America is like living a double life for me. I have to be one way around our own people and a different way in the office. I feel as though I am always in the hot seat. I can be strong and tough, able to handle a lot of physical and emotional situatations. I feel as though I am always constantly trying to disprove that black women are not angry, or bitter. In the midst of all this, we have learned to find humor in heartache, to see beauty in the midst of desparation and misery. We have risen above centuries of oppression so that, today, after years of dealing with society’s racism and sexist misconceptions, not only are we supporting families, we’re leading corporations, major media organizations, and our state and federal governments.” Stefanie Magness.

There were also comments about how this 2 day series inspired Black women to make a difference, a shift, a change in not only their lives, but the lives of other people.

Here are a few of those comments:

“The Black in America series has actually motivated me. This is my time to stand out as a positive role model. This would entail doing everything in my power to give back and assist others that are incurring a difficult time reaching their goals. This is not only rewarding for the recipient but also for me as well. So getting my experience out there would hopefully be a motivating factor for women not to give up… there is a light at the end of the tunnel.” Tracy Jones

“Wow! That series has also motivated me to get to work asap! My Mary Kay business has not been what I intended it to be for some years now! After watching that! Look out people here I come! I’m truly going to make a difference in this world. Helping others is the key to success!” Shena Kendall

There were far too many to share but I thought these four illustrated both sides of the coin; that black women are still struggling with race and gender issues yet many are discovering their personal power and how to use it to make a difference in the world.

I wonder what kind of conversation would arise from a show entitled “White in America” and how would this series be different and why. Is life “different” in America for white people and white women in particular? We could ask and wonder the same thing for many other ethnicities and races and I am sure the answer would be yes.

What do you think? I would love to hear what all women think about the differences and especially black women who read this post.

By Catrice Jackson

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