Why “Black Girl Magic” Is Real

This weekend I was listening to Cafe Mocha- Radio From A Woman's Perspective, actress Taraji P. Henson  was being interviewed and she stated that "Black Girl Magic is not real". I was hard to accept her comment however after listening to her reasoning I understand why she said what she said but it is still my belief that "Black Girl Magic" is very real and needs to be respected today.

Malcolm X showed up for black women in a way that I have not witnessed in my lifetime on May 22, 1962. I was not born at this time, nor was I even thought of but the words he spoke on that day have encouraged and motivated me as a young woman to the more mature woman that I am today. The line that stands out most to me is

"The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman." - Malcolm X

In 2021 those words resonate with me and I as a black woman completely feel this way. When I compare myself to my counterparts, their road is much easier than mine. I am not saying that women of other races and colors do not have real issues that they have to encounter, but their road to success is paved out better than mine. This is where the "Black Girl Magic" comes into play. As black women, we make things happen and pull it all together in a way that amazes others. We often hear others say "Oh my, you are so strong, I don't know how you do it". We do it, because we have to do it. We don't have an outlet or even the support that is needed mentally and physically. See we have to be superheros just to survive day to day because who really has our best interest at heart or has our backs 100%.

We hear people say, "You should slow down and relax", unfortunately if we relax, everything falls apart or it doesn't get done. When that happens we are label incompetent and lazy. We don't get to just have a bad day, we have to hold it together, eat poop politely and smile while doing so.

I understand completely what Taraji meant when she said me are magical because we should not have to go through all of that just to be noticed and halfway heard. However, these are the times that we live in and until we are given the respect we deserve we have to continue to put on a cape, fly in the sky and pull a rabbit out of the hat.