by Rena Porter

Created on: February 23, 2010   Last Updated: February 25, 2010

Black Women Narratives

As an African American woman, I enjoy the diversity of being African, Black, a minority and women.  However, I am well aware that in this country we are segregated into four groups of people and three of those groups are ahead of me.  There are white men, black men, and white women all standing in front of black women. 

I am not so naive to ignore the obvious accomplishments of African American women.  However, I am certain that due to several factors it remains necessary to engage this country in dialogue and discourse in understanding these phenomena while attempting to balance the status quo. 

The accomplishment of celebrity status does not translate into dialogue or acknowledgment, nor does it invite self identity or self entrepreneur growth.  On the contrary, when cultures elevate three groups above one group and disregard the necessity of the forth groups’ contribution then, that culture continues to develop an unproductive system of failed economics, and demoralizing individuals.  The accomplishment of Oprah, as a celebrity does not equate to equality or visibility nor does it translate into acceptance or acceptance as viable importance within this culture.

This is  evident in the countries discourse over the fact that the black president should owe something to the black community, that the black president should be able to do more for the black community, and that black individuals have nothing further to complain about now that the president is a black man.  Obviously, a white woman got the nod for the highest position in this country before a black woman did.  Again the last to get the nod will be a black woman. 

The discourse is not that black women should be second on third but not always last.  When our countries history is written it must become a country where white men are recognized for “being the first white man to teach at an all black college” or being the first “white women to build her business in an all black community”.  We must move away from black women being the first entertainer, media mogul, athlete, or criminal.  Instead our history must become a place where black women, white women, black men, and white men are all valued and visible in all aspects of the American culture.  This will be evidence when one walks into any company in American and see themselves throughout that company or business.  When we all see people that look like us wherever we go then we can truly say that we have addresses a multicultural society. 

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