Powerful Black Women

Black women are in multiple marginalized groups, so it is amazing to have a week like the one I've just had in which the strength of black women is on display.

The week began with both news outlets and popular culture holding up Michelle Obama as a style icon ("stunning" is a word often used to describe her look, including by President Obama himself). She is gorgeous, and when her beauty is celebrated it feels like a victory for all of us. (10/16 update: Michelle Obama is far from the only important black woman at the White House: http://m.essence.com/galleries/29-powerful-black-women-calling-shots-obama-administration)

This also comes on the heels of Viola Davis, the first African American to win an Emmy for Lead Actress in Drama, proclaiming “Let me tell you something: the only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.” Pop culture prominence comes with social power, and it is inspiring to see that power used in the service of equity.

Tonight I went to a comedy show, Blaria, tonight with Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson. They were hilarious and fearless as they took on topics like sex and race as they chatted casually with each other and the audience.  As they were so comfortably themselves, they modeled that strength can take the form of humor.

In another vein, this week I got to see Angela Davis and Erika Totten (leader of Black Lives Matter DMV) talk about the Black Lives Matter movement. They are both important voices willing to shake up a broken system. They both called out not only white supremacy, but also the misogyny that they heard in other voices in the room. They remind me of the sticker I have on my office door: "The real revolution will be love." They modeled assertive engagement and they made it clear that we all have a role to play.

I've grown up as a proud black woman, and still it helps to see role models who look like me and share some of my experiences. It is a good reminder of how important those same images and messages are for students, which is why schools must diversify our faculties and our curricula. And whenever anyone needs a quick lesson on powerful black women, I recommend listening to the song BO$$ by Fifth Harmony!