Giselle Avenue

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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