Over the weekend, there was a tennis match-up between the future of Women’s Tennis that involved two Black Women (Naomi Osaka-Haitian/Japanese and Cori “Coco” Gauff-African-American). The hype of the match-up was only secondary to that of its aftermath. In the 21 year-old Naomi’s defeat of the 16 year-old Coco, Naomi hugged the understandably crushed younger woman, offering her words of encouragement, praise for her performance, and sharing the mic.
This was “black girl magic”
This was what we as black women do
Yet, some used this as an opportunity to denigrate Serena Williams, claiming that she could have learned about sportsmanship and compassion from the younger Naomi---citing Serena’s own behavior when she lost to Naomi prior.
This is where nuance matters
Serena’s outrage during that match squarely centered on those refereeing the match and what she viewed as problematic enforcement and calls
When the crowd booed Naomi at the end of the match
Serena embraced her
Serena insisted that the world recognize Naomi’s victory
Serena stepped into that space that many black women are forced to occupy
She voiced her concern with the unfairness of the system
While at the same time
Supporting and loving on Sis
It is what we do
It is what we need to do
Some don’t get it
Some assume that our arguing about systems, issues, businesses, etc. that are problematic for black women but may also employ or elevate some black women
Somehow means that we, as black women, are choosing not to celebrate our sisters
That it is A Betrayal
Instead of the essence of our very survival
Trust, we can and often
Do both at the same, damn time
We can challenge how colorism results in making space for commentary by Angela Rye and that her anger/indignation is somehow “less threatening” than those with darker skin
While still co-signing and elevating her voice as she speaks for us
We can demand Starbucks implement policies to protect black patrons after employees at a Starbucks racially-profiled customers and called the police on them for Waiting on Coffee While Black
While also cheering Rosalind Brewer, the first Black COO of the company
We are able to side-eye magazines such as Playboy for its misogynistic history even when it features interviews with Tarana Burke
While still supporting the work of Tarana and insisting that the black girls for whom she founded it, are not de-centered
We can challenge the political parties that take our votes for granted
While still campaigning for
Ilhan
& Ayanna
It is not either/or
Serena got it
Many others do not
We will not and cannot let injustices “get a pass” because they are somehow intertwined with our sisters
But we can
And do
Still love
Support
Embrace
Cheer for
Campaign for
Our sisters who occupy those spaces
In this multi-tasking
Don’t get it twisted
At the heart of it all,
It is all about having our sisters’ backs
In their current victories
And in the needed ones in the future
And for our Future
Dr. Dent is a licensed psychologist. Her hardest job is being a Black Woman who centers the experiences of Black women and girls. She is a firm multi-tasker---always being mindful to love on her sisters
Note: She still struggles with the term “black girl magic”---see her previous post “I am not Magical” for more on this.
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