This one is for White people — ALL White people — because each you benefit from white supremacy — “I am not racist! How dare you call me that! That’s the rudest thing anyone has ever said to me in my LIFE. How can I be racist when you and I are friends?” The above statement is a real reaction from a former friend when I asked her to…

It’s hard enough to walk in our stilettos without additional restrictions and unsolicited suggestions from those with privilege We live in a country that is very “me” oriented. Most Americans are more than a little obsessed with themselves and anything that concerns them directly, which is why conversations on racism…

Each time an explanation of racism and oppression is demanded, we are wasting precious time — “The very serious function of racism is a distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you explaining over and over again, your reason for being.” — Toni Morrison, Portland State University, 1975 I try to rise above the pettiness, but alas, I am a mere mortal. Sometimes…

The moment we enter the world, our fight to prove our worth begins — The first doll I ever played with in pre-school was White with blond hair and blue eyes. I remember searching for dolls that looked like the brown ones I had at home. However, since there were only two available for our entire class of twenty-five children, I could only choose…

Why seeing Black women of all shapes and complexions is important — The Lifetime network dared to go where other networks have seldom — if ever — gone before: They produced a primetime movie starring two plus-sized, dark-skinned Black women. Television shows — even on Black networks — rarely feature Black women who are not thin with European features, which leaves a…

Having survived over 400 years of direct oppression, the correct classification for us is PURE MAGIC. — Let’s start from the beginning to address every person who continues to accuse Black people of “playing the victim” when speaking about systemic racism. Many of us in America are direct descendants of men and women who endured unthinkable atrocities at the hands of vicious, brutal, and greedy colonizers who…

No one can be you better than YOU — I thoroughly enjoy being a Black woman. Dealing with racism and discrimination is no picnic, but I still love being in my skin and wouldn’t trade it for the world. I believe we were all put on this earth with a specific purpose to fulfill and those born into adversity…

It’s been a while since we’ve chatted — just thought I’d check-in — Thanks for taking the time to hear the honest thoughts of a Black woman. It’s been a while since I’ve attempted to facilitate this much-needed conversation between Black and White women, particularly those who bear the name “Mom” because as women, we are the first teachers of new generations. …

It was easier to just be myself — It took fifty years for me to carve out my own space, dump all my belongings into it, and happily claim it as the place I could exist without worries of judgments or limitations. You can imagine how long the first forty-nine years of my life have been. I spent…