This may be one of the greatest gifts of having many Black girls in our stories. Laura could be Laura. Ashley could be Ashley. Moesha could b
This may be one of the greatest gifts of having many Black girls in our stories.
Laura could be Laura.
Ashley could be Ashley.
Moesha could be Moesha.
Tootie could be Tootie.
Rudy could be Rudy.
One girl didn’t have to explain everybody.
One girl didn’t have to carry everybody.
One girl didn’t have to be perfect because millions of people might decide she represented an entire race.
There were enough different girls for us to understand something important:
Black girls are individuals.
One can be shy.
Another loud.
One loves books.
Another loves fashion.
One knows exactly where she’s going.
Another is still figuring it out.
One makes excellent decisions.
Another makes a spectacular mess and comes back next episode to try again.
That is representation too.
Not simply being included.
Being numerous enough to be complicated.
SURVIVOR AFFIRMATION:
I release myself from the burden of representing everyone who looks like me.
I am allowed to be an individual.
I am allowed to have preferences that belong only to me.
I am allowed to change.
I am allowed to make mistakes.
I am allowed to surprise people.
I do not have to carry an entire community on my shoulders to make my community proud.
I can simply be a Black girl becoming herself.
REFLECTION:
What would change for girls if they knew they never had to be perfect to make the people who love them proud?
May every girl inherit enough mirrors to recognize herself—and enough windows to discover everyone else.
