Across the globe, we are the most often degraded, mocked, unprotected and disregarded living beings-condemned just for having a bad day or being too skinny or too dark or too loud or wearing our hair naturally or liking rock music or standing at a bus stop. Or smiling. Or breathing. The list is unfair, stupid and ridiculously long. Nonetheless, the Black woman remains the most precious, feared, RESILIENT, beautiful, envied and desired. Add confidence and intelligence to any one of us and the Black woman is a lethal weapon. We all know it. Many fear it. Some of us have lost our way and forgot how much strength we posses-the mountains we can move. The nations we have built. And for those reasons, along with being Black queen myself, I live for my sisters- a strong ally, adamant defender, supporter, friend, and my best self. And my visual work will always perpetuate the strength and natural beauty of Black women; there is no greater muse.

Black women have had to develop a larger vision of our society than perhaps any other group. They have had to understand white men, white women and Black men. And they have had to understand themselves. When Black women win victories, it is a boost for virtually every segment of society. -Angela Davis

The moment anyone tries to demand or degrade you in any way, you have to know how great you are. No one would bother to beat you down if you were not a threat. -Cicely Tyson

If we were made in His image then call us by our name / Most intellects do not believe in God but they fear us just the same. –On and On, Erykah Badu

I consider myself a crayon.. I may not be your favorite color but one day you’re going to need me to complete your picture. -Lauryn Hill

The empowerment of Black women constitutes the empowerment of our entire community. -Kimberly Crenshaw

We won’t all agree on a definition of beauty, but we all have one. And if you’re lucky, that definition will actually be your own. -@BeRealBlack4Me [via Twitter]

God creates life. Women create life. Maybe we as men were put here to protect God while she works. -David Banner

I disagree with the #unconventionalBlackBeauty wholeheartedly. You are all beautiful. Period. There is nothing unconventional about it. -Terminally Chill [via twitter]

P.S. The last two photos[below] were taken by Al Vandenberg. He has a whole collection of beautiful moments captured in time. Definitely worth a gander.

I’ve been wanting to do this post for awhile, kept adding and taking away from it, unsure of where to fit it into my random, lighthearted rants; I just knew I had to. I’m not the best writer. I don’t have the broadest vocabulary, but I do do a lot of reading. And a lot of feeling. A lot. And almost daily I come across something that hurts my heart regarding a sister. Whether it be her voicing how unhappy or fed up she is ..a queen butchering her natural beauty into a more European aesthetic ..or a man-often our male counterpart-slandering our name ..another sister murdered by police, raped or assaulted.

It just gets tiring, day in and day out, feeling like we’re invisible, worthless and unlovable in so many eyes [often eyes that look like ours]. Some days holding the weight of the entire universe on our backs. Our stories of triumph or pain or struggle or joy are not being told or heard, that we’re usually [especially in mainstream media] viewed as objects and animals instead of humans with a range of feelings, going hoarse from screaming at the top of your lungs only to fall on deaf ears.

Knowing that we will never be equal to the untouchable white woman in a patriarchal white society. Just trying to share your knowledge with a fellow brother or sister on why. Staying poised enough to not give off the angry Black woman vibe but simultaneously not giving a damn because some people just won’t get it… and you can’t help but deliver a stealthy sideeye to anyone who truly believes we are seen as equals or that things are progressing in our favor. It can be such a delicate balance just to have a meaningful, possibly life changing, conversation… and conversing shouldn’t feel like drowning.

It is frustrating.

It is exhausting.

It’s disheartening.

But hopefully my few words help remind you of your greatness-OUR greatness. It is incomparable, and, if you dig far enough, you’ll find the reasoning why the powers that be are hellbent on destroying the Black woman‘s true worth and  divine image. We are queens, naturally. We don’t have to use our bodies or lies or violence to prove our power.

And that is what scares people.

Keep your head up, sistars. You are SO inspiring, unique, resilient and beautiful.

I love y’all. ❤

P.S. I linked a few great articles and posts to support my views; I hope you find them enlightening.