This is For Those Black Girls

For those Black girls that were told they were too fast, too grown. For those Black girls that had to swallow down pain and hide bloodstained panties cause Momma had to keep the lights on. This is for those latchkey Black girls that that were forced to play home. This is for those Black girls who were told their hips were too wide, their lips too big, their skin too dark, and their hair too kinky. For those around the way Black girls that life made greasy.

This is for them.

For those Black girls that had to grow up too fast, that knew too many uncles, and front doors were revolving doors. This is for those Black girls that were called whores. This is for those Black girls that life silenced. For those Black girls that were told to keep grown-up secrets and just stay quiet. For those Black girls that never got called on in class even when they raised their hand. For those Black girls that never were allowed to dance. This is for those Black girls that never saw their pictures on the cover of magazines. For those Black girls that were told that black was ugly. This is for those Black girls that whispered when they wanted to shout, that screamed when they wanted to cry. This is for those Black girls whose souls died a little bit every night.

This is for them.

For those Black girls that became women. For those Black women that are mentally stuck because they were never allowed to be children. For those Black women that didn’t seek mental help because a man told them to pray. For those Black women that stayed in closets, that life shamed for being gay. For those Black women that cannot afford a day off to march for freedom. For those Black women that cannot say Me Too because they wonder if anyone would believe them.

This is for them.

For those Black women that go missing that we never hear about. For those Black women that suffer in abusive relationships. For those Black women that have buried their sons and daughters. For those Black women that life has led to the slaughter.

This is for them.

For those Black women that have toiled, that have labored. For those Black women with callouses on their hands and their hearts. For those Black women that suffered in silence. For those Black women that we will never hear about. For those Black women that will never be on a movie screen, that won’t walk the red carpet, that will never wear designer clothes.

This is for them.

This is for those Black girls and women that life didn’t allow to bloom.

This is for Sandra Bland, Shereese Francis, Courtlin Arrington, Miriam Carey, Aiyana Stanley-Jones, Rekia Boyd, Jaquarrius Holland, Marielle Franco, Dajerria Becton, Malissa Williams, Ciara McEvleen, Erica Garner, Shelly Frey, Tanisha Anderson, Alesia Thomas, Alberta Spruill, Darnisha Harris, Yvette Smith, Tarika Wilson, Jojo Striker, Keke Collier, Shantel Davis, Mesha Caldwell, Kathryn Johnston, Chyna Dupree, Kendra James, Korryn Gaines, Gynnya McMillen and countless more.

Sandra Bland

This is for our Black sisters that sacrificed their lives. This is for our Black ancestors that we will never know that died.

This is for them.

I see you. We see you. And we are here.

You are enough. You have always been enough, Black girl.

So shine. In all your splendor, Black girl. Shine!

Thank you, #NaomiWadler for inspiring this piece. At 11 years old you spoke truth to power! I applaud you. You speak boldly for those Black girls! Thank you!