Written by Trish B.
Throughout history, black women have endured a unique and often overlooked struggle, facing layers of discrimination, injustice and exclusion. Time and time again, they have been underestimated, ignored, and denied the opportunities they deserved—even when they were overqualified. Women of other races often don’t see the deep-rooted inequities that black women face, from limited access to quality education and health care to being denied basic advantages that others may take for granted. The reality of black women’s struggles, both historically and in contemporary society, is a narrative characterized by resilience, but also burdened by a painful legacy.
The devaluation of Black lives, especially those of Black women, can be traced back to the era of slavery. During this dark period, black women were not only viewed as property, but were subjected to exploitation and abuse that robbed them of their dignity, autonomy, and humanity. Their work was exploited, their families torn apart, and their contributions erased from the mainstream narrative. This basis of systemic racism and sexism continued long after slavery ended, evolving into forms of oppression that are still felt today.
After slavery, black women faced a double burden of discrimination based on both race and gender. As the civil rights and feminist movements emerged, black women often found themselves marginalized within these spaces, forced to advocate for their unique experiences without full support. Figures such as Sojourner Truth and, more recently, Kimberlé Crenshaw, who coined the term “intersectionality,” have highlighted this complex distinction. Black women were often expected to fight for their rights alone, caught at the crossroads of multiple forms of oppression.
One of the starkest manifestations of this continuing inequality can be seen in health care. Black women face significant disparities in health care access and outcomes, often due to implicit biases within the medical community. Studies have shown that black women are more likely to be fired or ignored when they report symptoms, leading to higher maternal mortality rates and an increased risk of preventable deaths. This disparity is rooted in pseudoscientific beliefs dating back centuries, including harmful myths that suggest black people can endure more pain or require less medical intervention.
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This misconception not only dehumanizes black women but also puts their lives at risk. Many black women have lost their lives through negligence that could have been avoided if they had been taken seriously by health professionals. This tragic trend is a painful reminder of the long-standing, deep-seated biases that continue to shape Black women’s experiences in basic services like health care.
The pain of discrimination is sometimes internalized within the Black community itself. Generations of struggle, scarcity and limited access to opportunity have, in some cases, led to division rather than unity. Black women are often pressured to “prove” their worth in environments that do not fully support or respect them. This pressure can lead to harsh judgments, not only from outside forces but also from within the community.
Some of this tension can be attributed to a survival mechanism. In a world where opportunities for black women are limited, competition can become fierce and societal pressures to conform to certain standards can amplify judgment. When the larger society constantly places Black women in situations where they feel they have to compete for success, it can sometimes create a divisive mindset, leading some to adopt a “crabs in a barrel” mentality where they feel they have to compete or criticize others. to go up.
Society often brings people into marginalized groups together by setting impossible standards. Black women are often expected to be resilient, strong, and self-sufficient in ways not required of others. This “strong black woman” stereotype, while meant to be empowering, can sometimes become a burden, leading to burnout and frustration.
This environment fosters the belief that there is limited space for success among Black women, causing some to criticize or deny support from others within the community. The reality, however, is that unity, not competition, is the key to overcoming these challenges. By supporting each other, black women can strengthen their collective power and break free from the social constructs that try to divide them.
Building unity and recognizing resilience
Addressing these issues is essential to collective healing and dismantling the systems that perpetuate inequality. Black women’s voices, experiences, and achievements deserve to be uplifted and celebrated, both by society and within the community itself. The journey toward unity and mutual support requires a shift in perspective—one that recognizes the value and strength of every Black woman.
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