The Black Woman is and always has been the crown jewel of the World . She has a natural beauty that comes in many sizes, shapes and shades. No matter the variations or combinations of these; her beauty is apparent to all. Every race of women want to emulate her physical characteristics in one way or another. Rather it be her full lips, pronounced cheek bones, her well shaped derrière or her skin tone itself; we see mainstream America and the world at large modeling themselves after The Black Woman.
However, the beauty that I speak of is not the one beheld with the eyes, but the beauty that lies within. Her nature is soft, empathetic, nurturing and loving, but that is not the image being portrayed of her in the same mainstream media that loves her looks. Why is that? Why is she portrayed as angry, bitter, aggressive and ratchet? Is it because we see these personality traits on display in our environments and therefore are inclined to accept them as true when they are put before us on social media, mainstream media or “reality” shows such as LHHP ATL?
Before we can answer any of the above questions we have to ask one of our own. “What in our environment has caused her to act so far out of her nature, for this modern version of herself to have room to come forth and to do so, so often that it has become her new normal? The answer to this question is simple, yet very complex.
The answer… The Black woman is in need of healing.
When you have a broken bone, you must go about re-setting that bone in its proper position and then give it time and stability in one form or another in order to mend. Once done, that bone will rejuvenate itself and be even stronger than it was before. How much more important is the healing of “The Black Woman’s mental and emotional states?” We must give her motive and means to re-set her mind and emotions by taking away some of the pressures placed on her by having to play roles not natural to her. Such as: head of household, father figure and sole provider. We must take the pressure of “looking for love” off her and give of it freely because if love is her nature and she receives very little from the men that she seeks it from, then she is operating out of an emotional deficit, correct? Can any of us go withdraw money from the bank if we have none in there? No!!! Love is no different.
So how is this healing done when there is a shortage of mature men who understand not only that this needs to be done but how to go about doing it?
The answer… The Black woman must do this healing herself; with none other than God as her guide.
Self love is the most powerful form of love in all the UNIVERSE outside of the love of the one that we all emanate from. God!!! So the next question should be, “If she has no knowledge of how to heal herself, then how is she supposed to undertake such a monumental task?”
The answer… Next Sunday!!!
This will be a continuous blog/conversation and I welcome comments and even criticism because both will create a much needed dialogue. I’ll add to it every Sunday until I reach the climax of it and bring to light some things that we know, but don’t realize that we know; and in doing so, bring about real and viable solutions for us as a whole to begin healing our family units and communities.
Sincerely yours,
Shane Shepherd
“The voice of my generation”
Thank for reaching out to me and knowing what I truly needed to hear; I love you! Continue being blessed
I believe this to be an incredible body of work. It reflects a reality many of us in the black community have turned a blind eye to. Dysfunction is not born it is formed over time with contributing factors such as environment, experiences and formed habits. I for one never wanted to be a single Mother however it became a reality all too familiar in the black community. This I feel began long ago with slavery. The separation of the black family. Continue your work. If more men and women can understand each other and become aware that our differences unit us. We can begin to gain hope in a world that seems hopeless.
Yesssss!!! Can’t wait 😊 until next Sunday!!!
My, my, my…..this indeed TRUTH! This is truly my prayer for us ALL; to acknowledge our pain, disappointments and things we BELIEVE are failures (they aren’t….they’re just set ups to achieve greater) so that we begin to HEAL. We have to want it for OURSELVES and we have to start with OURSELVES with God’s help. I LOVE THIS!!
Thanks Shane for tagging me I definitely needed to hear all of this and you write so well that it makes it easy to have a clear understanding of what you are saying keep up the good work you are truly inspiring me to better my life for the good
I loved this, as a woman, only 27 years old I did not know the depths of my brokenness. I did not understand the magnitude of my insecurities and pain, which allowed me to settle in every area of my life and take part in roles that were beneath my standing. However, when I realized this I knew that I had to do the work, to heal without the person I felt “hurt” me being present. Often times we victimize ourselves, we label and define ourselves by our pain. We won’t identify ourselves by our strength, our goodness, our excellence. But more so by our weakness, or those things that broke and hurt us (rape, domestic violence, dysfunctional families, and generational curses). We allow what we’ve been through to diminish our worth, and it becomes our strong hold. I know that healing is critical, and it is your duty as a black woman to heal everything that lies within you and prevents you from being your best self. Those things that lie dormant, that life has told you to sweep under the rug. Those things you pretend you are over, but you discover still both hurt and haunt you when someone triggers that feeling you know all too well. We allow our history and circumstances to paralyze our ability to not only grow, but create. Healing begins with acknowledging the pain that you’ve pretended didn’t exist. Confronting your insecurities. Refusing to self-victimize any longer. personally, healing from began when I stepped into the world of divine truth. That I refused to be a victim, and I refused to condemn or identify anyone as a villain. But I began to see the divine fold out in each encounter, and chose in that moment who I wanted to be. A victim or a master. I cannot be both, and understanding that I tapped into god-like potential.
On point!! ❤️❤️
Looking forward to next Sunday!! This is definitely needed!! Proud of you Bro, and the things you’re!!
This is something all black ppl need to read!_