Black Women Are the Blueprint: Paving Our Own Path to Freedom and Power

 

And why do we continue to seek acceptance in a system that has never meant well for us? What is it with this way of thinking? I often ask myself: do most not see the “carrot,” the constant moving of the needle, and when society is clearly taking Black women for a ride? I believe it’s time for a new path. Rather than constantly working within a system that refuses to be reasonable, fails to provide the results we seek, and continues to keep us stuck, why not think differently about paving an entirely new way?

Black women are the blueprint. With every system currently corrupt, I see nothing but opportunity for Black women and girls to finally carve out our space in society in a major way. This might sound like a big feat, but I beg you to hear me out before assuming otherwise. Since we are the blueprint, we essentially have the right to change things. We can change the plan to one that is more favorable—beginning with ourselves as Black women.

With many of us in rest mode, this is the start. But during this time, I encourage you to continue to rest while also thinking about a future that feels safer and more supportive. This is an opportunity to begin envisioning laws and systems that reflect what we want and what centers our protection. What I am essentially asking is for us to start imagining a future that places us at the center and in control of our destinies.

It’s crucial that we stretch far outside the box to pave a safer future for Black women and girls, rather than leaving it up to someone else to decide for us. Why? Because we know what we need—we know what we desire and, ultimately, what it takes to live a life that supports and protects us. For too long, we’ve been asking, working with, and screaming for equality, fairness, and support from a society where our voices fall on deaf ears. At some point—at THIS point—it’s time we organize selfishly for ourselves, building communities that support and center us.

The world should have to consult us before deciding what’s best for us because it’s clear our needs continue to go unresolved and unmet under the current system. Our safety and our rights are constantly “played with,” with the rug being pulled from under us time and again.

Recently, I’ve been thinking: what would a constitution written specifically for us—centered on Black women—look like? Just as our current government clings to its old documents and Constitution, written by and for white men, those papers were never created with Black women in mind. And yet, we continue to follow these laws written by white men who are entirely removed from the lived experiences of Black women. When issues arise, we are repeatedly forced into a position of “defending” or “convincing” white people, particularly white men, to act reasonably.

But why?

I will go as far as to say that we are moving toward a society that supports smaller groups and more community-focused initiatives. I am merely suggesting that we, as Black women, begin to move in that direction. To a point where the rug can no longer be pulled from under us. Instead, we position ourselves and create our own dynamic and power structure—one where we are no longer convincing or asking white people for permission but instead making those decisions for ourselves.

We have been taken on a ride for decades by society as a whole, white man, subjected to poor leadership, corporate greed, and the tone-deafness of white society regarding the needs of anyone outside their bubble. And yet they’ve had decades to change. We’ve all, in some way, participated in this chaotic system. But now, it’s time for change—a change that creates and gives space for black women and other demographics to do the same so that we can better support our own needs.

Still, many believe these same people will help solve our problems, even to the extent of who holds office in the White House. I must ask: how has this ever truly served us? And I don’t mean the one or two exceptions to the rule—I’m speaking collectively as Black women. Many leaders have overpromised and failed to deliver on the very things they campaigned on. This made me realize that if we want real change, we have to center our own desires and bring about that change ourselves, beginning with our self-care and centering ourselves. 

We have been the fuel for this society. It’s time we become the fuel for ourselves as we pave a new future.