The last political season has been extremely draining. Black women have been particularly burdened by the aggregate weight of divisive discussions and unrelenting attacks on fundamental rights. Even while we have previously been called upon to lead, save, and encourage, something feels different this time. Many Black women are publicly opting to prioritize their mental and emotional health, take a break from the craziness, and choose peace. This change is revolutionary rather than an indication of indifference. In a society that has long taken advantage of our strength, it is an act of self-preservation and evidence of the transformational potential of sisterhood.
The weight of being strong
For a long time, Black women have been both praised and constrained by the stereotype of the powerful Black woman. This story emphasizes resilience, yet it frequently ignores vulnerability. Stress, despair, and anxiety are more common among Black women who internalize this stereotype, according to a 2019 study published in Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. However, we are compelled by society to continue even when we are exhausted.
Therefore, choosing tranquility is a necessary recalibration rather than a retreat. It’s a recognition that being strong also entails knowing when to take a break and rejuvenate. Black women are reclaiming their humanity by taking a step back in a society that all too frequently expects them to work without considering their welfare.
The cost of always showing up
Black women have been at the forefront of revolutionary change in America from the suffragist movement to the Civil Rights era and beyond. Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election thanks in large part to the 91% of Black women who cast ballots for him. However, legislation and social support rarely match this unwavering commitment. In the United States, Black women have a maternal mortality rate that is over three times greater than that of white women. The systemic injustices we encounter are further demonstrated by disproportionate incarceration rates, pay disparities, and workplace discrimination.
Therefore, it is not surprising that a large number of Black women are opting out of the never-ending grind. This is survival, not indifference. We’re finding comfort in one other while we take a step back, filling each other’s tanks in ways that have been long overdue.
Refueling Through Sisterhood
It is impossible to overestimate the strength of Black women banding together. We’re establishing venues to support and encourage one another, from grassroots organizations centered on mutual help to social media sites like #BlackGirlMagic. For instance, Black women-led organizations like The Loveland Foundation offered free therapy sessions during the pandemic, acknowledging that mental health care is a need rather than a luxury.
The simplicity of these actions of collective caring is revolutionary. By putting one another’s health first, we’re opposing a system that feeds off our fatigue. By rewriting the story, we demonstrate that our value is based on our capacity for profound flourishing rather than our capacity for endurance.
Choosing peace is choosing power
The notion of Black women taking a backseat may seem illogical to some. If we don’t fight the wars, then who will? However, opting for peace does not imply giving up; rather, it means fighting more strategically. It is realizing that we cannot pour from a cup that is empty. As Audre Lorde famously stated, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, but self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare,” it involves accepting rest as a kind of resistance.
This change serves as a reminder that we are powerful not only because we can overcome obstacles but also because we are willing to put our own needs first. It serves as a reminder that we are not alone and that we can keep the fire going even if one of us takes a step back.
Moving forward
Let’s remember this lesson when this turbulent political season comes to an end: we are our sister’s keeper. Putting our mental health first is an investment in the future of our community, not a betrayal. By choosing peace, we are fostering a world in which Black women can flourish rather than merely survive. Perhaps the most revolutionary deed of all is that.
