Strong Black Women Struggles - And Still We Rise Above Our Adversities

Let's begin with Black women's hair; recently more African American women are becoming conscience of their natural hair by not putting chemical perms in their hair. Many foreigners have been getting paid thousands of dollars or more, in the African American hair care industry. As Black women some of us are influenced by the media's way of how a Black woman should look and act. The majority of Black women on television wear hair weaves and perms, from Naomi Campbell to Vivica Fox. The African American women that wear their natural hair are not that glorified in the media as much as the weave-wearers. But more Black women are "coming out of the box" of what a Black woman's appearance should look like and act like.

A Strong Black Woman is someone who's:

• Careful about the company she keeps.
• Wears her natural hair - no chemical perms.
• Treats her good man with respect.
• Doesn't use profanity.
• Can communicate very well.
• Have a Diploma and/or a skill in something. (G.E.D. Education)

Black women and dating; why do the so called majority of Black women like to date bad boys. We date bad boys, then we complain about all the bad things he's done in the relationship. We as Black women may never give Fred a chance because he wears seeing-glasses, or a collar button down shirt, or his paints are wore actually on his waistline, he actually respects his own body, his vehicle is public transportation, and he may like reading a book once in a while; all of this may seem boring to many women. But then we see Craig; he has earrings in his ears, and tattoos on his body, he wear tank top shirts to show off his muscles, always showing his underwear in the process of trying to keep his paints up, but he does have his own car but jobless, you may never find him reading a book-- but you might find him in the neighbor attempting to make money for being up-to-no-good, he doesn't respect himself; this is attractive to many women. When you think long and hard about it, this just doesn't make sense.

Have you ever asked one of your girl friends, "Girrrrl what were you thinking" when you hooked up with that guy? And that's just it, there is "no thinking" involved in many women's dating choices. Real men love strong Black women that are confident and feminine.

A strong black woman 'dress to impress' for herself first, before she 'dresses to impress for someone else.

Our Black women ancestors had been through huge sacrifices for us today, to be where we are with better opportunities . And we as Black women still have to pave the way for those that are trailing behind us. Black women in history were called "bitches" by the slave masters and sexually raped by them as well. No matter the struggles Black women go through in life, we've learned to rise above our adversities. There are so many Women of Color that we should be thankful for in history:

• Rosa Parks - Demonstrated Civil Rights by not giving up her seat on the bus for a White person.
• Anita Hill - She was Clarence Thomas's (Supreme Court Justice) assistant that filed a court claim against him for Sexual Harassment, and she won.
• Madam C.J. Walker - Patented the wide-tooth Hot Comb for African Americans' hair.
• Pam Grier - Actress of the 1970s.
• Naomi Campbell - Super Model.
• Maya Angelou - Poet.
• Afeni Shakur - Ex-Black Panther, Philanthropist, was active as a Civil Rights Leader, and the mother of Tupac Shakur.
• Oprah Winfrey - Talk Show Host, and former News Anchor.
• Corretta Scott King - Supported the Civil Rights Movement, and the wife of Martin Luther King Jr.

There are more women in history that haven't been mentioned here, some are living legends and some have passed away. But their memory lives on, and their sacrifices are acknowledged, we pick up where they left off as strong Black women.

When some people think of Welfare recipients they associate it with many Black women. But the statistics are that there are more Caucasian families on Welfare than African Americans. Many Black women would rather have a good job receiving an estimated 1,800 or more monthly compared to being on Welfare receiving crumbs every month.

Women of color should be seen as women that are a useful part of society. Back in the slavery days, Black women used to breastfeed White children and take care of them; that's why they were called their Mammies. The struggle of a Black woman is hardships, achievements, relationships, sacrifices, careers, and more.

When a Black woman can't find a job after trying very hard to get one, there are other options like "hiring yourself." A woman of any race or color doesn't have to be on Welfare/Public Assistance if we would only hire ourselves in the meanwhile; looking for full time or part time employment. In the process of being persistent in job searching, remember that 1 yes out of 1,000 no's is really worth it, knowing that you are giving it your all. It's possible for a woman to hire herself; there are a few things you can do to hire yourself such as;

♥ Learn to make jewelry for sell.

♥ Become an online article writer.

♥ Learn to crochet items to sell.

♥ Open your own daycare center.

♥ Become a hair braider.

♥ Start a small home business.

♥ Etc.

When there is no person to lift you up, you can lift yourself up, pat yourself on the back, hug yourself, say good things about yourself, and think highly of your own self. Black women need to unite and lift each other up, surround yourself with other positive acting women no matter what race they are. Try to fly above all the drama, the haters, the stereotypes, and the bad boys in your life. The only type of Welfare Black women should be on is, looking out for the welfare of the next woman in need, and the cycle will continue itself. Continue to push out into the world the things that you would want in return for your life as well. And remember; never grow tired while doing good things for others.

Black Women Mentors

As Black women we need to have someone to look up to as a mentor; for example if you want to be a female Christian pastor you might want to model and admire Paula White or Juanita Bynum. Or maybe you admire the work of Star Jones - Attorney, then she would be your mentor if your looking to work in that same field of work. But sometimes you can still have someone as your mentor and not want to have the title they have, but just admire their hard work and achievements. There are so many positive women to model as your mentor, no matter what their nationality or race is. I admire Monique (comedian and ex-talk show host) because she is always doing something new in her career while reaching back helping the next person, I gained more respect for her when I seen her as the host of the reality show "Charm School," Monique tried to make a positive difference in those young girls lives. She would show the girls of Charm School how to use their gifts and talents to make money for themselves.

A List of Famous Black Women

• Serena Williams and Venus Williams - Famous Female Tennis Players
• Oprah Winfrey - Famous Female Talk Show Host
• Maya Angelou - Famous Female Poet
• Whitney Houston - Famous Female Singer (rest in peace)
• Coretta Scott King - Famous Wife/Participant of a Civil Rights Leader (Martin Luther King Jr.)
• Halle Berry - Famous Female Actress
• Whoopi Goldberg - Famous Female Actress and Comedian
• Rosa Parks - Famous Female Civil Rights Participant
• Tyra Banks - Famous Female Super Model, Talk Show Host, Reality Show Host
• Tina Knowles - Famous Female Fashion Designer (mother of Beyonce' Knowles)
• Kamora Lee Simmons - Famous Female Fashion Designer
• Mahalia Jackson - Famous Female Singer
• Moms Mabley - Famous Female Comedian
• Terry McMilian - Famous Female Writer/Author
• Afeni Shakur - Famous Female Ex-Black Panthers, Philanthropist, (and mother of Tupac Shakur)
• Anita Hill - Famous Female Law Professor
• Condoleeza Rice - Famous Female Republican Politician
• Star Jones - Famous Female Attorney, and former Talk Show Host Member

As some people know, many of us grow stronger from the adversities in our lives. Out of bad situations or bad relationships, we learn from them to advance to a better life. Just when we our going through something though or difficult in our life; God will make it turn out for our own good. So we definitely need to keep God in our life, because when hard times comes our way, it makes it a little easier knowing that God brought you through it all. Strong black women are Christian women; women of faith that will not waver, but will stand on the true Word of God.

The world would not be the same without the strong Black woman, that's for sure. Since the beginning of time, many Black women have been the strength of their families.

What do you think about the stereotypical African American women in reality shows? The women in these shows fight each other, jealous of each other, and are mean to each other. Women of all colors and races should get along, and lift each other up with positive words. Especially women of color, when you see another sista rock'n her natural hair just pay a positive compliment about her hair. When you treat other Black women with respect and love, you are treating yourself with respect and love, and the cycle continues; this is the type of behavior that needs to become contagious. As the saying goes "What goes around comes back around" reaping and sowing is a law of gravity. Once you become higher in your goals and achievements in life, reach back and grab another woman to lift her up as well.

Mothers

Try to fly above all the drama, and take care of our children by not being too selfish. Children our given to parents as gifts from God; it's the parents responsibility to teach their children 'right from wrong.' (Spare the rod of correction, spoil the child) and no one wants a totally spoiled child; when things are spoiled they have a foul smell, which stinks.

Many mothers would rather stay at home and read a children's book to their children or help them advance in their school studies, than to go out partying and club hopping constantly. Once you become a mother your life no longer belongs to you, your life belongs to your children, being a mother is not a good time to become selfish. There has to be balance; have a little time for yourself and a lot of time for your children.

Black Women Physical Features

Some African American women's physical features are copied by other races, and vice versa. The physical features other races of women copy from Black women; lips, teased hair, high cheek bones (implants), butt implants, and dark skin tans, slang words.

Black women you're not let off the hook either, some Black women use chemical perms in their hair to make it appear straight, lighten their skin tone, dye hair blonde, wear straight hair weaves, lose weight in the butt and hips to appear less curvy, and may wear blue contact lenses. Some of these things are done for beauty reasons, and some are done to the extent of extreme, without balance.

To every woman "Fly above all the drama" and lift yourself up when no one else will lift you up. This is the strength of a Black woman, she is resilient, and she can bounce back from adversities. Whatever difficult times you've been through in life, just remember that the difficult times make you whom you are today; "A Strong Black Woman."

© Sabrina A.K.