Should I speak up, protest, boycott, and get all uneasy about the many social injustices around this country? Go out and march? Haul ass to Washington, D.C. to join the Women’s March on Washington? Flee to Africa to save all the little girls from genital mutilation and violent military units?
Go block EVERY PERSON on social media who attempts to throw shade or express hatred towards black women? Should I slap every black man who has the nerve to walk around with a white woman on his arm, and actually be proud?
Should I throw out all of my Kanye West music, because he just isn’t who he used to be?
I am legit undecided, because a part of me says yes, do it—-make your voice be heard!
But then again, I like being a peaceful, happy, unbothered woman. It’s quite calming and relieving.
I’ve always positioned myself in the very middle of the fight for women’s liberation. I don’t mean to, but I somehow end up right there in the middle. On my podcast, and even during undergrad, I found myself deeply invested in topics such as domestic violence, breast cancer awareness, girl and women empowerment, and the celebration of women across the globe—regardless of race, religion or nationality.
What’s a woman to do?
I am still a bit undecided. But for now, I am following the path of least resistance. I start by simply asking this question: how I can be a better advocate for social justice, in my own personal dwellings.
Everyday is a fight for social justice. When you get dressed for work, you are fighting for social justice. When you excel in your career, you are fighting for social justice. When you stand by your man, no matter how difficult things get–you are fighting for social justice. When you build the black family, you are fighting for social justice. When you WORKOUT and lead a healthy lifestyle, believe it or not–you are fighting for social justice.
When you speak life into a black man, in a world that encourages his destruction–you’re fighting for social justice. When you reach out to your sister-friends during their time of turmoil, you are fighting for social justice. When you walk around, happy and unbothered—you are fighting for social justice. Yes, that’s right. Every minute is a fight, but you can claim your victory in advance by keeping the victorious mindset.
Own you magic sis, you are NOT a victim! That’s just what “they” call you, don’t answer.
No, you don’t have to harbor negative feelings of being “oppressed” in your heart, you can actually let that shit go. As a matter of fact, let that shit go.
Walk into the woman you’ve been called to be. Do not apologize for it. Fight your own battles, and if it’s too big, you know who else to give it to.
Today is another chance to collect a W—not a L. Keep a winning mindset by NOT internalizing everything you think the “oppressor” is doing to oppress you. Look, I’ve been there and it’s no fun. It leaves you drained and without a true resolution.
Now, all of a sudden, there is a huge push for black women to take care of their mental health and to focus on themselves.
Surprise, surprise….
It’s our turn to put ourselves first. Embrace your feminine nature. Pamper yourself. Serve your family and community. Be a great woman. Do so with a smile on your face and get to know this Happy Life. Glow Up. Love on your Man—yes men are apart of the solution. It’s perfectly NORMAL to love and appreciate a good man, so do it! They are NOT the enemy, or your oppressor, sis.
Turn off the media and stop raising hell about every little thing! Yes, we have the power. But there is no power in abusing our ability to truly impact the world. Like, really, is the battle yours?
Now that I got that off my chest, I guess I’m not so undecided after all.
That’s my two cents,
–Giselle
Belle in the City
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Giselle Avenue 
Thank you for sharing these thoughts! I often have similar sentiments, especially as someone who studies race and gender in American literature and culture and who specializes in African American literature and culture. I often feel out of place, not politicized enough, because I am not as optimistic about our current methods to achieve social justice, and I often feel as if various movements are shortsighted and are merely part of history’s merry-go-round. I went through a “Angela Davis” phase, a label that is very reductive of the scholar and activist, but some people referred to me as Davis because I was always talking about the latest race issue. And it became extremely exhausting. And it was also not who I really am. I am extremely invested in the betterment of black communities, but I have been really trying to figure out HOW to make a REAL difference. I have also been wondering about how to connect to higher forms of self in order to produce something that benefits all of humanity. I listen to teachings related to the one that you mentioned, path of least resistance, law of attraction, etc, but oftentimes I wonder if these principles are too self-interested. I’d like to hear more of your thoughts on path of least resistance, esp. if you are familiar with Abraham Hicks. I listened to a recording on suffering, and it was the only time their thoughts did not resonate with me. It was so disappointing that I have not been able to listen to them as diligently as I used to. I guess I am just as undecided as you are! Lol. Thanks for this post.
This comment really blessed me. I am so encouraged to learn that I AM NOT ALONE!! I think as BW, we have to be mindful about what is feeding us, because we set the tone for a lot of our cultural surroundings. I don’t want us to ignore what’s “wrong” with America, but the longer we live in it, the more we suffer, personally. Who is coming to save us from ourselves? No one. So I challenge my sisters to start looking more inside for virtue, instead of externally. I love the teaching of A. Hicks, mainly because they teach on “being”– how to be, as you are. How to not think so much, and just receive what the Universe wants us to have. BW tend to give, give, give– leaving little room to actually receive God’s greatness. Since I had a paradigm shift on ways to improve my “being,” my life has literally changed for the better. I hope this helps and thank you SO MUCH for commenting sis! ❤
Happy I found this post today, I’m going through the same thing. Love the confirmation of how we are fighting social justice just be getting up everyday and doing what we need to. I think being your “best self” is definitely the first step and then trying to impact your own community, in you own small way is the next. Loved it, thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for reading! Yes, we can all do our small part and it makes a TON of impact! Have a fab weekend ahead!!