Strength, Great Skin and 5 Other Black Girl Privileges

June 21st, 2012 - By Veronica Wells

Source: dawnli.com

Earlier this week I wrote a piece on the perils of being a black woman. They are very real issues; but for all the drama I, and I’m sure quite of few others, wouldn’t trade being a black woman for anything in the world. Why? Well because even though society, and even our own communities, don’t always appreciate us, there are perks and privileges to being a black women. There are countless benefits but check out this short list.

Survivor’s Spirit 

No one can tell us that black women haven’t had to endure a lot. On top of the racism that our brothas have to endure, we also face that challenge of being a woman in a patriarchal and often misogynist society. But instead of using our status at the bottom of the totem pole as a deterrent, black women have consistently found a way to rise above. You’ve got to love that about us.

Sense of community

Have you ever been in a crowded place, a university classroom, or the supermarket and you make eye contact with another black woman and almost instantly there was a smile and a shared kinship. I know some of you are lost right now. You might have to skip onto the next point. But for the women who know what I’m saying it’s nice to be in the clique. Sure, all women aren’t warm and welcoming but it’s nice to know that there are people out there who identify with you without even knowing your name.

Source: Zimbio.com

Support of black men

Some of you may call support or loyalty toward black men a burden. Some of you may have shirked it off, asserting that you can’t and won’t deal with it anymore. That’s fine, to each her own; but in my opinion, in a country where we’ve witnessed first-hand the abuse, disenfranchisement and downright hatred directed at black men, it’s nice to be the people they can turn to for support and encouragement. Now, if he doesn’t want from a black woman, so be it; we can’t force anyone. But for the brothas that do need and want that encouragement, it’s nice to be able to offer that, in the context of a romantic or platonic relationship.
The curves

As a girl, I always found it alarming that white women on television would complain about their big butts? First of all the booty is a blessing and second of all, what butt? Oh, wide equals big. Ok. I see. But those were the old days before J-Lo made it big and women started running out trying to buy booty pops. Black women had the booty, the thick thighs, and the child-birthing hips  naturally, no purchase required.
Black don’t crack

Some of you may still think this is a myth. But a quick comparison of your family members, friends and even celebrities will prove that the black woman does not age like other women. If you still doubt, you should know that studies are starting to find that the melanin which is responsible for our darker hue, also protects against the effects of aging. You’ve got to believe it!

Source: http://donnienicole.com

The Legacy

Even though we weren’t even considered in the original conceptualization, black women have provided perfect examples of the American Dream. If you ever needed examples of a people who’ve lifted themselves up by the boot straps (even when we didn’t have boots) and made something of themselves, it’s black women. In addition to the names we know Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, Maya Angelou, Octavia Butler, Zora Neale Hurston etc., there are women like my mother, your mother, my grandmothers, the women in your family and countless other black women whose names will never receive the recognition they deserve, that have all contributed greatly to our shared legacy. And for that it’s an honor to be a part of the group.

These aren’t the only benefits. What’s the greatest thing about being a black woman?

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  • cclove

    This article is STUPID. It’s stupid because the idea of race is a social construction. Yes there are superficial differences between so called “races” such as skin color, facial features that are often the result of geography. Also, there can be more “in group variation” (differences between two Black women) than “out group variation” (differences between a Black woman and an Latino, Asian or White woman for example) (this is scientifically proven).

    Also, I AM so over women in our community calling being overweight or unhealthy “thick”. It’s not thick, it is FAT (most of the time). Then as these “thick” women get older, their chances of becoming sick with a preventable diseases increases. Let’s take care of ourselves, and each other – let’s stop the lies that result in temporary self-esteem, but long term health issues. Let’s also stop believing that we can’t be healthy, and can’t change unhealthy bodies.

    Changing our lives, eating habits and fitness habits, takes time – but it’s so worth it.

  • Nope

    Funny how calling Black women anything besides beautiful and strong on this site (even if backed by FACTS) is just a “generalization”.

  • JEM

    Funny story about the “black don’t crack” adage: Prior to my boyfriend and I getting together, we crossed paths often and I always thought he was cute, but figured he was probably younger than me. When we started getting to know each other, I asked him how old he was. He told me to guess. I said, “mid twenties…” and he said “nope!”. I asked if he was younger or older and he said older. So I’m like “ok…late twenties?…” and he said “nope!”. I said “OMG how old are you?” He told me he was 32. I would’ve NEVER guessed. He asked me how old I was, and I told him I was 31. He didn’t believe me. He said he was just praying I was over 18, but would’ve never guessed I was 31. LOL. We had a good laugh over that.

  • Rah Truth

    How about being desired by men all over the world, and envied by women all over the world. Nobody does it like a Black woman, honey!

  • Nope

    The Black don’t crack is so ridiculous. I’d love to see some SCIENCE behind that. That statement usually comes from people that have never traveled internationally and have little to compare anything with besides White people.

    • Yaya

      True. It is so obvious african american hardly travel to the caribbean or to south america, or to africa and see how horrid black people in these areas live. Whenyou have a hard life you will crack. That goes for everyone.

    • Seriously

      Really? Don’t be jealous… Who needs science when you can go out and look at black women who look 20-30 years younger than their age! We don’t need you to cosign on what we know!

      • Nope

        “Who needs science…”
        Really? Wow. I’ll just say that I hope you’re not educated and saying things like that.

        • Seriously

          Yea you’re real educated, coming on a site about black women and bashing them…

  • CA Pullen

    It is so great being a black woman. It is really ashame how the media has really disrespect us and how we disrespect each other. I think it is really ashame that a black woman can support and assist black men in every area, working with/for them, sing in their choirs/group, black women do everything with black men, but unfortunately black men don’t want to marry one. I still that we are the most beautiful race on the earth. To me J. Lo doesn’t even have a butt. Where? I don’t see why men are so gun ho on someone who does not have singing talent, and they think she is pretty and have a nice butt. I dont see that. We as black women are smart and can do and compete with any other race.

  • Kimster

    Black women are beautiful and strong! I love being a black woman; of course it can sometimes be tough with day to day challenges, but we overcome. And it’s pretty ironic how the melanin that gives our skin the beautiful shades of brown is the same skin tone that other races will often sit in a tanning box, or stay out in the sun to achieve, only to severely damage and crack their skin in the immediate and long run.

  • Anonymous

    What can I say, our diverse skin color, hair type, body type just features is what I find the most beautiful. We look our best when we don’t cover up our features. We don’t need to do much but when we take better care of our skin, body, hair and find what fits us, we are simply the best. And, a black woman with a nice personality , and friendly is a plus. Everyone likes to be around an easy going, approachable person with a lovely smile. I also admire our resilience and strength.

    • Seriously

      Best comment ever!

  • colliz6

    I don’t think there is anyone with sense that can discredit the “black don’t crack” idea. It’s a given and well known fact. Black women/men generally age better in comparison with the other races.

    • QB

      ABSOLUTELY. Just think about it. A woman of a diff race looks 40 and she’s only 25. A black woman is 40 and looks 25.

  • Elizabeth

    I’m a white woman; my best female (and male) friends are black. It’s true, black really don’t crack. Black women have beautiful skin that doesn’t show age. And who doesn’t love an afro? Ya’ll got plenty to be proud of. :)

  • http://flatland-diva.blogspot.com/ niccithewriter

    I think that one of the best things about being a Black woman is our ability to tap into our ancestors’ power on a spiritual level. Many of us do it through a commit to religion while others, like me, through a connection to the Earth and Life. I enjoyed the concept of this piece.

  • http://flatland-diva.blogspot.com/ niccithewriter

    I think that one of the best things about being a Black woman is our ability to tap into our ancestors’ power on a spiritual level. Many of us do it through a commit to religion while others, like me, through a connection to the Earth and Life. I enjoyed the concept of this piece.

  • http://twitter.com/jahalia1 Vette

    it’s about time that black women get some praise. we are some of the strongest people and the backbone of our communities

  • http://twitter.com/jahalia1 Vette

    it’s about time that black women get some praise. we are some of the strongest people and the backbone of our communities

  • http://twitter.com/jahalia1 Vette

    it’s about time that black women get some praise. we are some of the strongest people and the backbone of our communities

  • Coco J

    I like this…but I can’t even get down with the sense of community. Now don’t get me wrong, I wish more black women smiled, spoke, and were a tad bit more friendly…but most of the ones I encounter will not smile, look in your face, nor speak…its more like the sense of competition…I’m just being real…maybe it’s just where I’m from idk…and I am a black woman btw.

  • Coco J

    I like this…but I can’t even get down with the sense of community. Now don’t get me wrong, I wish more black women smiled, spoke, and were a tad bit more friendly…but most of the ones I encounter will not smile, look in your face, nor speak…its more like the sense of competition…I’m just being real…maybe it’s just where I’m from idk…and I am a black woman btw.

    • QB

      I understand what you’re saying, but like the article states the sense of community doesn’t apply to everyone. I work downtown Detroit and live uptown and everywhere i go a black woman smiles and utters a hello. I think if you make an effort to speak first then you’ll get a reply and if some blk women stop walking around with the mad face everywhere they go they might get a hello first. Its a two-way street.

  • Sabrina

    The sense of community point is SO TRUE! Since I went to a predominantly white college, whenever a black person saw another black person around campus, there was almost always some kind of acknowledgement since we were so few. Best believe if I had a fellow black person in one of my classes, we would become great friends by the end of the semester. And overall, simply having that one thing in common (being black) helped us all become closer, regardless of our background.

    But something else that I love about being a black woman is our rhythm! Every time I go to a party where there are diverse groups of people, I feel so fortunate that I am not rhythmically inclined like some are…and all the guys love it! :)

  • Sweet T

    I don’t know why everyone talks about “black women’s curves,” as if that body type was universal among all black women. Not every black woman has what would be referred to as “thick thighs and child-birthing hips.” I would even venture to say that for every woman built like that you could find another who is shaped completely different. I have always been slim and am totally secure with it; I also have family and friends who have always been slim; I don’t consider any of us any “less black” because of it. I, personally, am just tired of being told what I should look like as a black woman. I know there was probably no offense meant with the comment, but it’s still a generalization.

    • colliz6

      Generalizations are the results of common truths. Blacks are more muscular, thicker and more robust than other races.It’s not a coincidence that we excell in atlethics. We have higher bone density and tend to store fat in the lower portion of our bodies hence the wide hips and protruding buttocks. The majority of us will never be a size 4 inspite of dieting and exercise. There is actual research to back this up.Infact fitness experts are currently trying to change the rating of the BMI to be more appropriate to black women/men because the current ones are ranking blacks as been overweight when they are in fact at an acceptable weight in certain instances. The old BMI measurements don’t take into consideration that we have higher bone density and more muscle mass. Ofcourse to every rule there are going to be exceptions. The fact is in the black community tall skinny and lean is the exception not the rule. Not taking away your claims of blackness just stating the facts.

      • Zakkie

        REAL TALK…

      • Nope

        While there’s some truth in this, dense bones or not, Black women still suffer the most from obesity and other related heath issues and a lot of them are just plain fat. Or are those just bones in those bellies?

        • Seriously

          Obesity is an American issue, not just a Black women issue…..No matter how much weight we lose, we will always carry more weight in certain areas.

      • Nope

        “Generalizations are the results of common truths”
        Um, I don’t exactly remember it being quite that way from my stats, logic, and critical thinking courses, but okay….

    • Rah Truth

      Let’s throw some actual facts and research into this. That generalization definitely does not apply to every Black woman, but statistically Black women are more likely to have the “Coke bottle” shape (same measurements in bust and hips, and waist 10 inches smaller) than women of any other race. THAT is research based.

  • IfUDontCareWhyYouReadingMe

    there 1st pic of that lady is absolutely beautiful, not all have great skin like me, very oily but anyway, i really cant think of anything that i benefit fit from being a black female but thats just me but im only 21 yes old, so maybe i’ll find one

    • Guest1234

      Oh, you will! Hang in there, girl! BTW I’m sure you have beautiful skin. You’re only 21, but I suspect you’ll be thanking God for your skin when you’re 51.

    • aging backwards

      Ummm oily skin=less wrinkles. Pair that with having more melonine in ur skin and ur set to being the youngest looking old person in ur crew. Take pride u were born a black woman, u may not feel the advantages now, I didn’t at ur age, but the older u get the more thankful u’ll be. I find myself saying sometimes “thank god I’m black!”

      • Seriously

        I love your name! Lol! @56dc65f203264da78f20990e591dafde:disqus

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