Excuse us as we cheer on Senator Kamala Harris, for being a voice for minority women and girls all over. We are powerful and our voice matters. “I’m Speaking”
What we witnessed during the Vice-Presidential debate, is what women have been facing in board rooms, in meetings, and as you saw on national television. As we saw Senator Harris poised discussing what she has done in California, and what she has to offer to American’s if brought into the White house as Vice President. Black women around the country saw her smile as she was interrupted, and nicely reminded the Vice President that she was speaking, which was a not so friendly reminder of our daily lives.
Women in power, especially black women in that seat have been challenged by their counterpart for years. Our capabilities and what we bring to the table is questioned. We aren’t taken serious by males and our character is devalued. We are not seen as equal and often stereotyped, as an “angry black woman” when we hold our own and let them know that we are just as equally knowledgeable and experienced. We are told that we need tough skin to be in certain positions; but the moment someone feels that our outer core is harden, they be begin to challenge our capabilities, belittle us, and say that we are not good enough for the position. Which is it? Am I not good enough for the position or am I’m just as qualified and you are intimidated?
As I surfed the internet, women of many different nationalities were speaking out about what they witnessed because they knew what the moment symbolized. We could see ourselves having the courage and strength to speak up unapologetically with nothing to lose. Finally, in that moment we have become the narrator of our own story! I AM SPEAKING, it is my turn to talk.
What we are witnessing in history, is fruit of our ancestors’ labor. Black women have been knocked down so many times, but still we rise. Dr. Maya Angelou said this, and I think this is the perfect moment to quote Still I rise:
You may write me down in history
With your bitter twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries?
Black women are intelligent, independent and a force to reckoned with; and we can do anything with excellence. As I cheer on Senator Harris along with many other women of color, I want to applaud her for showing the world just who we are and the way we are portrayed isn’t always true.
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