Written by Trish B.
Throughout history, Black women have endured a unique and often overlooked struggle, facing layers of discrimination, injustice, and exclusion. Time and time again, they have been undervalued, ignored, and denied the opportunities they deserved—even when overqualified. Women of other races often don’t see the deep-rooted disparities Black women face, from limited access to quality education and healthcare to being denied the basic benefits that others may take for granted. The reality of Black women’s struggles, both historically and in contemporary society, is a narrative marked by resilience, yet also burdened by a painful legacy.
The devaluation of Black lives, especially those of Black women, can be traced back to the era of slavery. During this dark period, Black women were not only seen as property but were subjected to exploitation and abuse that robbed them of their dignity, autonomy, and humanity. Their labor was exploited, their families torn apart, and their contributions erased from the mainstream narrative. This foundation of systemic racism and sexism continued long after slavery ended, evolving into forms of oppression that are still felt today.
Post-slavery, Black women faced a dual burden of discrimination based on both race and gender. As civil rights and feminist movements emerged, Black women often found themselves marginalized within these spaces, forced to advocate for their unique experiences without full support. Figures like Sojourner Truth and, more recently, Kimberlé Crenshaw, who coined the term “intersectionality,” highlighted this compounded discrimination. Black women were often expected to fight for their rights alone, caught at the intersection of multiple forms of oppression.
One of the starkest manifestations of this ongoing inequality is seen in healthcare. Black women face significant disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, often due to implicit biases within the medical community. Studies have shown that Black women are more likely to be dismissed or ignored when they report symptoms, leading to higher maternal mortality rates and an increased risk of preventable deaths. This disparity has its roots in pseudoscientific beliefs that date back centuries, including harmful myths that suggest Black people can withstand more pain or require less medical intervention.
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This misconception not only dehumanizes Black women but also puts their lives at risk. Many Black women have lost their lives due to negligence that could have been avoided if they had been taken seriously by healthcare professionals. This tragic trend is a painful reminder of the long-standing, deep-seated biases that continue to shape Black women’s experiences within essential services like healthcare.
The pain of discrimination is sometimes internalized within the Black community itself. Generations of struggle, scarcity, and limited access to opportunities have, in some cases, led to division rather than unity. Black women often find themselves pressured to “prove” their worth in environments that do not fully support or respect them. This pressure can lead to harsh judgments, not only from outside forces but also from within the community.
Some of this tension can be attributed to a survival mechanism. In a world where opportunities for Black women are limited, competition can become fierce, and societal pressures to conform to certain standards can foster judgment. When the wider society constantly places Black women in situations where they feel they have to compete for success, it can sometimes create a divisive mindset, leading some to adopt a “crabs in a barrel” mentality, where they feel they must compete or criticize others to rise.
Society often pits people within marginalized groups against each other by setting impossible standards. Black women are frequently expected to be resilient, strong, and self-sufficient in ways that aren’t demanded of others. This “strong Black woman” stereotype, while meant to be empowering, can sometimes become a burden, leading to exhaustion and frustration.
This environment fosters a belief that there is limited space for success among Black women, leading some to criticize or withhold support for others within the community. The reality, however, is that unity, rather than competition, is key to overcoming these challenges. By supporting one another, Black women can amplify their collective power and break free from the societal constructs that attempt to divide them.
Building Unity and Acknowledging Resilience
Addressing these issues is essential for collective healing and for dismantling the systems that perpetuate inequality. Black women’s voices, experiences, and achievements deserve to be uplifted and celebrated, both by society and within the community itself. The journey towards unity and mutual support requires a shift in perspective—one that recognizes the value and strength of every Black woman.
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