Reluctantly Resilient

 Reluctantly Resilient

July 24, 2024

As a black woman in America, I’ve never felt more exhausted. Mentally and emotionally.

In a moment of history that requires more resiliency than ever, I’m defeated by the reality of our blackness and womanhood. From the first black woman endorsed for presidency to a black woman shot and killed in the safe space of her home, yet again. 

As a Woman:

The reality that I can’t be a woman of choice, with the need to debate choices for my body in a court of law. I can't be a women of success, without the residue of wonder of how I made it this far. I can't be a woman in need calling for assistance to protect my home. 

As a Black Woman: 

I'm required to be resilient and preserve. I'm supposed to leave an intentional mark in every room. I'm meant to represent the ones before me and those behind me. Existing in white spaces is exhausting but nonetheless, must be done. If not me, then who? 

In a country so racially immature, I’m unprepared for the ignorance. It is so much louder now, but still just as loud from 2009-2017. The quieter voices have been given a platform and just four years ago, the largest platform they'd ever need, an office. 

By default, I'm ready to defend. Ready to be what we call a strong black woman, when in actuality I don’t even know where to stand in this fight. A fight that feels inevitable, but is one that I’ll never back down from. The American fight.

- With love, AW

Press Play: NASALA by Lizzie Berchie