By: Chelsea Glover-Jordan
This is not a political science or policy piece, but a “calling all Black women to the front” piece. As a representative in the community, I can wholeheartedly and with my chest say that “we are tired”. We are tired of collaboratively and in some instances single handedly carrying this country. We are tired of being overlooked and run over for opportunities we are more than qualified for. We are tired of not receiving the recognition that not only we have earned but are entitled to. We are tired of feeling like America’s stepchild while cisgender white men take all the credit. And felt in the latest version of “being overlooked in America”, we are tired of not being supported simply because we are Black women.
Being a Black woman is in fact advantageous in so many ways but in ways that go against equality, anti-racism, and anti-sexism, we are conveniently overlooked. As a mental health therapist whose clientele consists of 90% Black women, most of whom sought me out simply because of the color of my skin, I vicariously experience not only my own Black woman hardships, but theirs too. I think most of my therapist “sisters” would agree that Wednesday, November 6, 2024, was a hard day. It was an emotional day. It was a day that continued to remind us of our places in history and the hearts of Americans. I am not here to argue and debate about the qualifications and histories of either Presidential candidate, but I am here to point out a glaringly disturbing not so unknown deduction, Black women as a whole on so many levels will be viewed as (not in actuality) inferior. We are viewed as “too much” or “not enough” In any case, we will never be in this lifetime, the answer. On November 6, I was greeted with many tears, many headshakes, and clients who struggled to find the words to describe to a minimum their thoughts and feelings. I was even met with clients who tried to hold space for me, a fellow Black woman. We all felt the sense of defeat which yet again drove home our position in American history.
I am not willing to go back and forth with anyone about happenstance of the Black woman’s position in America, nor am I willing to debate any political stance. What I am willing to drive home on any day is the contribution of the Black woman and how she has “conveniently” been counted out every single time.
I can only begin to read about and imagine what my ancestors experienced as they were beaten and neglected not for bad behavior or the things they offered to the world, but simply because they were Black women. I would imagine on November 6, 2024, Black women as a whole felt an ounce of what that felt like for our ancestors. I take absolutely nothing away from what they experienced because I know that 2024 is hard so the 20s and 30s were probably excruciating.
Being a Black therapist to so many beautiful Black women has allowed me a different perspective into the mind of the Black woman. It allows us to empathize more and to understand that there is so much solidarity in our community, we are undeniably amazing. Because of my profession and my own personal experiences, I know how multi-faceted we are and how we are strong. Strong not because we want to be always, but because we have to be. We have to be the pillar, we have to be the answers, we have to be the glue that plows through and yet, we are not given the opportunities to be recognized, acknowledged, and honored.
Just to put a few things in perspective…As of recent data from a census, Black women hold approximately 1% of C-suite executive positions in Fortune 500 companies, despite making up about 7% of the U.S. population. White men continue to dominate corporate leadership positions, holding around 65-70% of C-suite roles. Black women in U.S. political office represent a very small percentage compared to White men and women. For example, in the U.S. Congress, Black women make up about 4-5% of the total membership, while White men make up about 60%, and White women hold roughly 20%. One can only come to the conclusion that this demographic setup is by design. This is an intentional shut out of the Black woman. According to the Census, “Black women have seen a sharp increase in college enrollment and degree completion rates in recent years. In fact, Black women are now earning a larger proportion of college degrees in the U.S. than Black men, and they outpace White women in some degree categories (like master's degrees)”. Something is “off”, right? And very disproportionate.
With the aforementioned data, how can we not be angry? How can we not notice what representation means for us in America? How can we not feel marginalized and neglected? How can there ever not be a need for therapists and mental health professionals to show up and hold space for other black women because we are collectively tired?
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