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TW for Black Womxn: I’ve been putting on a brave face whilst dealing with subtle forms of racism wrapped in smiles, micro-aggressions & snipes to make me feel small, trying to erase my voice and undo or claim my work, the misogyny/misogynoir is real in this patriarchal world.
Me: a dark-skinned Black African British born Lesbian mother & woman who dares to lead, to be part of building movements, to speak up and speak out about inequalities, injustices and inequity. The spaces I enter, the doors I push/boot open, the tables I am sat around #ItsHeavy
The people who call themselves progressive yet are intimidated by my Black stature and secretly only want me to speak when they are ready to hear compliments of their performative actions and then when I do speak they try to cut me off because it’s too real.
This behaviour is not new to me, however I’m feeling it more & more as I dare to be brave and visible but remember visibility does not mean you are safe. I call out to my communities, my people, my tribe and I realise we are all going through so much but sometimes you need a hand
A hand to hold, a person to tell you it will be okay, someone to wipe the tears when it all gets too heavy. But yet I smile and I continue to power through this so that the next generation can occupy spaces without apology, as my ancestors & elders did for me!
Its the pain in your heart when you know you are being disrespected even if you’re not being called names, it doesn’t stop the thoughts of not feeling worthy when you are ignored or spoken over, it doesn’t stop the realisation that your Blackness although powerful is so political
Some may not understand what I’m saying or think I’m being overly dramatic but I’m in spaces that like to challenge me because how dare this dark skinned Black African British born Lesbian mother & woman show leadership, be dominant, assertive, speak up for those who are unable..
All some people see is an aggressive Black Woman and heaven forbid when I try to rearrange or ‘FU*K’ up the table when we are not present at the table - that’s whole another book.
BUT I will continue to do what I do, and it’s okay to be vulnerable at times but as Audre Lorde said ‘I am deliberate and afraid of nothing’. I send solidarity and love to all those that need it right now 
#Liberation #Freedom #Justice #Equity #Love @ukblackpride
#Liberation #Freedom #Justice #Equity #Love @ukblackpride
