To be black and female.
A curse. A gift.
Generations of backbreaking, soul-wrenching work.
Woman’s work.
We have done it so well that others copy us,
fear us,
revere us,
try to stop us,
hate us,
love us,
judge us,
tremble at the thought of us.
When Europeans first came in contact with us they stood in awe of us.
How we walked as graciously as lionesses, strong, confident, with our heads held high. This is the definition of beauty they said.
During slavery we took care of our children while nursing other people’s children and working from sunup to sundown.
They wondered “How in the world does she do it?”
We taught them how to laugh to keep from crying.
Sing when you want to moan.
Dance when your feet are aching.
When others complained about the size of their butts, hips and thighs,
Monique and Beyonce showed them how to “drop it like its hot”.
So when someone calls you a bitch, a nigger or a ho,
You remember who you really are.
Woman's Work, after reading the title, I had to sigh. My heart aches because for some reason, I feel as though society,needless to say,our men really does not know just how much WORK women really contribute to this world. Especially women of color. It's painful to know or constantly hear, I'm talking about black women now, they are so rebellious, aggressive, unappreciative, unruly, slouchy, sleezy, and the list goes on and on. Oh there is one I forgot, she is not submissive. OUCH! Isn't it funny that the men who usually accuse us of being this way, does not provide for us, so we have to work one or two jobs to make the ends meet. Yet, we allow him to receive the credit for taking care of his family. We will go out and purchase nice things for the home and the family such as furniture, clothes etc. and have to hear how rebellious and disobedient we are, instead of thank you and that was nice. To top it off when company comes over and compliments what you were chewed out about, He smiles and sticks his chest out like it was his idea. Yet, we continue to smile and take it. We support and our man, children, church, job, and friends. What do we get in return, the same old song, she's not submissive, she's rebellious, aggressive,and etc. What is most painful, is how OUR BLACK man can go a get another woman of another race and treat her with royalty and she done less than a 1/3 of the work We do. She gets regular trips to the spa and if we would have mention anything about a manicure we got our head cut off. And you we better not ask about getting our hair done once a month. Again, another one of our jobs, we do our own hair and nails. One other thing, vacations, it's always too much when it comes down to taking us on a vacation just for one weekend once a year. How sad! You know then he will have the nerves to say she never asked to get herself a new dress, hairdo, new under wear or a vacation. Neither did the other ladies of the other races and they haven't even attempted to sweat for you like we do. Then after we endure all of that HE LEAVES! Then we are left continuing to do what this unsubmissive, rebellious, and aggressive black woman was doing all the time, PROVIDING FOR HER FAMILY.
ReplyDeleteMy prayer is one day someone will notice us for who we really are women who don't mind sacraficing for their families, women who don't mind going without for 18-20 years for their families. I have come to this conclusion, If our mates and the society we live in never notices us, GOD has and he continues to strengthen us so that we can continue the "Woman's WORK!
A. Grace