The world has a cruel way of always reminding Black women and girls what their place is in this world. Whether through our own families and communities or through systemic racism, sexism, (really all of the -isms), it just seems like we can’t catch a break.

Why is it that every time I hop on TikTok, more often than not, I see videos of Black women, young and old, recounting stories of the utmost disrespect? Why are Black women and girls always the butt ends of jokes? Why are we constantly harassed, our pain and anger never being taken seriously until it’s too late?

It gets tiring seeing Black girl after Black girl being treated as if we’re villains. As if it were our fault for being on this corrupted land in the first place. We simply cannot exist in peace without someone questioning why we deserve it in the first place. It’s exhausting.

It’s so exhausting having to bear the responsibility of breaking generational curses. When all you wanted was a mom that cared and was present for you. We grow up creating shells around our true selves because they were never nurtured properly. For some of us it’s hard to open up and let people see the real us because we’re afraid they won’t like what they see.

Black girls and women need safe spaces too. Safe spaces in community and safe spaces within ourselves too. That’s why I write for and to ALL Black girls and women. Because no matter who you are or what you have, there is a commonality between us all, and that is we must be protected. We must protect ourselves and what we deem sacred. And that is ourselves.

We all are navigating through a close-minded society while still being expected to show up for everyone else when no one shows up for us. I write for the Black girls and women struggling with their identity and feeling unseen.

For the woman struggling to get in touch with her inner child.

For the girl who can’t understand why her mother doesn’t love her. 

We. Do. Matter.

Love,

Kia ❤