The Impact of Negative Self-Images on Black Women

I read this interesting article by Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett. She stated that anxiety is more chronic, and the symptoms are more intense for Black women than their White counterparts. She continues to state that, "research and history tell us that there are 3 basic images used to describe us, they are the Strong Black Woman, the Angry Black Woman, and the Jezebel/Video Vixen."

Dr. Neal-Barnett informs us that these images affect how other people see us and how we see ourselves, thus playing a role in the development and maintenance of anxiety. Ironically, when I think about myself, the women in my family, & many of the women of African descent who come to me for assistance, these images are in fact subconsciously hindering us.

When we talk about the things that are passed down from generation to generation, I don't think that these images of ourselves are considered. I mean, let's be honest here....how many of us have heard the term "strong Black woman" in our families time & time again, especially those of us raised in single-parent households? "I am a strong Black woman" or you must be "a strong woman" because you are Black, or you come from "strong Black women". I did! I know that my children have. Until recently, it never dawned on me to ask why or what this image meant to me as a woman, as a mother, or as a wife.

Paying attention to what we learn, what we allow to define us is very, very important. Don't get me wrong, being a strong Black woman is a wonderful thing. However, being a strong Black woman who is unable to acknowledge her struggle, unable to feel, unable to accept defeat so that she can pick up the pieces & rebuild (healthily), unable to feel vulnerable, unable to allow others to come in & save the day because it's okay not to do things alone (like raising our children), unable to take criticism & instruction from people who care, omg the list goes on....this is not what being a strong Black woman is.

As for being angry...hell yeah, we are angry & in my opinion, we have every right to be. Our men have been & continue to be stripped of their manhood, our families continue to fall for the okie doke as we continue to dismantle due to addiction & imprisonment, & for God's sake, our Black boys & men are being killed at the hands of the cops & each other while stray bullets are flying through windows killing the innocent. Oh & let's not forget to add, our babies are committing suicide because they are depressed (yes, the number is growing). So yeah, we are angry! However, this is not our story! Because this is not our story, anger should not define us, it does not or should not dictate our thoughts, views, actions, or our being. It is time for change, time for enlightenment, time for victory.

We MUST redefine what it is to be strong. We must re-educate ourselves about those who have come before us, not just those who were enslaved but those who were Queens, Rulers, Warriors! Then, only then will WE be in the position to overcome, to BE the Queens that we truly are...we can shine for all the world to see! We will remove the negative images, eliminate the anger, & begin to love ourselves....& each other.

Queendom Rising!