by
Black Girl With Long Hair
Cashawn Thompson is responsible for making ‘Black Girl Magic’ a mainstream expression. In a 2015 LA Times interview she explained why she started using the hashtag on Twitter in 2013;
“I say ‘magic’ because it’s something that people don’t always understand… Sometimes our accomplishments might seem to come out of thin air, because a lot of times, the only people supporting us are other black women.”
#BlackGirlMagic has been seized upon by black women nationally and globally. It’s become shorthand for our resilience, creativity, intelligence and trend-setting style, wit and humor. But Thompson, who tweets at @thepbg believes it’s also become exclusionary.
https://twitter.com/thepbg/status/821426712680468486
https://twitter.com/thepbg/status/821430323749781511
https://twitter.com/thepbg/status/821430984876953603
https://twitter.com/thepbg/status/821431510205140993
This isn’t the first time intraracial representation of black women has been a point of discussion.
Back in May 2016 activist Pax Jones, who started the wildly influential #unfairandlovely campaign, asked why the face of young black feminism has become light-skinned and biracial, although many of the young black women doing the work do not fit that aesthetic.
It is wonderful that black women are taking control of their narrative and branding themselves in ways that feel authentic. But it’s important that we think critically about what image of ‘ideal’ black womanhood we are supporting and projecting.
What do you think of Thompson’s statements?
20 Responses
Well, I am educated — graduated with MBA but I assumed #blackgirlmagic was celebrating any black woman completed a goal whether it was graduating from college to slaying in an outfit on a Friday night to losing 5lbs on Weight Watchers.
No matter what. . .I celebrate and uphold my sisters everywhere because NO ONE ELSE is doing it.
Excited about posting and I forgot to read my post before pressing ENTER. . .
LOL
It’s important to recognize, acknowledge and validate Chashawn’s experience…especially when we KNOW there is a historical root of her experience of internalized racism of the Black community being projected back out onto our own people. It’s important to recognize that it is ALL of our responsibility to make sure our brothers and sisters don’t feel left out of our movement towards freedom. How can we do this? In addition to recognizing how we’re oppressed, we can also recognize the privilege we hold. I am a Black women, I deal with hoops, low expectations, exotification and “you’re the exception” syndrome of ignorant people. I have ALSO never been poor, my family supported arts education for me as a child, I am attending university, I am able bodied, I have traveled out of the country and so much more! We ALL must remain humble and recognize our privilege and how our identification and pride in our privilege could be oppressing our own people. We always have to do our OWN work!
I really get tired of the divisiveness. I’m a very well spoken and successful woman with NO college degree and five kids. #blackgirlmagic celebrates our culture, beauty, talent and strength. Education and success SHOULD be celebrated, but those are not the only ways in which we wield our magic. Find your magic and celebrate it. This feels like hate and divisiveness. #OverIt
PLEASE stop with the dark skin vs light skin thing. PLEASE. Its so hateful and ignorant.
If you only knew, if we could sit down together and I could tell you they types of things, the seperatism, the closeted racism, lack of job access, despite my talent and credentials, the hatred from both sides but I don’t have space for it here. But please trust me. The push back and assumptions because of my light skin. Not black enough accusations. Too white. Not cool. Etc. It can be very painful. One ounce is all it takes. As women, in light of the new political landscape, I’m telling you, we need to be ONE voice now ladies. This has to be over. I have LESS of a support system because of the assumptions and hatred. People withholding love and support and jobs and opportunities because they assume I’m privileged so I actually get less. I promise you. I work extra hours and other people take the credit. (Sound familiar ladies?) I have men tell me I’m not qualified and try to take me down. I have men cut me off in traffic. Women stare at me and throw shade. I have very few friends. I’m not good at Hashtags but someone needs to come up with one that says we are all the same and we support one another. Whose stupid narrative is it anyway and why do we still argue about it years later? I love all my black and brown sisters and accept that we are both equally challenged in different ways. I am there to support and love you. Hopefully you can see through the lies and stop assuming that my life is easier.
I think it applies to any accomplishment regardless of who is doing it. If a “round the way girl” has done something awesome she is just as magical as someone with a “line sister who brunches.”
Really disgusted that black people ALWAYS find a way to separate than unite. This is why we cannot all be successful.We compete instead of uplifting one another. It’s not just this hashtag. Another example is the natural hair movement. It was established to embrace you real hair. But you find woman judging each other and deciding what is “natural” what is not. Curl typing and if you use heat or color and if you do this or that. There is always someone judging. Just unite. Come together, be inclusive and celebrate our differences. Our differences is truly what makes us Magic!
I never knew the true meaning of it. Us Latinas use #BrownGirlMagic which I believe is to show empowerment and that we’re capable of achieving anything.
I don’t understand. It’s a hashtag. If you want to apply it to yourself, even if your achievements don’t fit the world’s standards, then go ahead.
Uhmm, Where in the World do people celebrate under achievers or mediocrity or as the title says “round the way people”? I mean its sad that people are left out but that’s life. The purpose of celebrating the best of the best in my opinion is so that persons can have something to strive for. Its easy to be at the bottom but it takes hard work to make it to the top. I am sure in a race to the finish line the 4th to last place individuals feel left out not being on the podium and receiving a medal but like I said that is life.
The Heights of Great men/women reached and kept was not attained by sudden flight but they while their companions slept were toiling upwards through the night. – Henry LongFellow
Okay but “round the way” is not synonymous with underachievement or mediocrity. There are plenty of so-called ‘hood folks who are doing quite well for themselves and their families. Taking issue with the way some dress, speak and/or conduct themselves is a relative and personal concern. No one wants their round the way girls popping up at their job but they’re the crew to have when it’s time to turn up. Assuming that because someone lives in a less affluent area than you, they are somehow less motivated or less successful, not cool man, not cool.
Let’s think critically here…being left out is not inherent to life, it is a product of White supremacy. We have to unlearn so much!! First of all who defines “best”? What does it mean to get to the “top.” Why is there a hierarchy and where did it come from? In these words of the “King’s English” and fascist concepts we must ask ourselves, what cultural influences are impeded? I have an uncle who couldn’t read or write, but how owned and operated a longing company. My dad never went to a university, but he as owned and operated a successful dental technician lab for over 40 years. So-called “higher” education and accomplishments in the White man’s world has NOTHING to do with OUR worth in a place that was not build for us, but ON us and the backs our our ancestors…these are social constructs of White supremacy. My dad always says, make sure you get your edYOUcation, whether it’s from the streets, from the experience of struggle and oppression, whether it’s from having to grow up on your own too early, whether it’s having to parent your siblings or children that didn’t come for your seed or womb. Our ENDURANCE, PERSEVERANCE, VOICE, CREATIVITY and COMMUNITY is where our VALUE lies! If we loose that, then we loose our value and our purpose and become a pawn in the White supremacist’s game. PERIOD!
@Muriel Vinson Well said!!!
It’s at the heart of Trump’s mantra – In life there are only two types of people: winners and losers. Now THERE’S a worry! lol.
It became global during the Olympics where Afro Brazilians, and Afro Caribe girls began using it. It meant so much when I found out what it meant.
I don’t think they’re left out, but educational and entrepreneurial excellence will always be celebrated.
lies…you fakes hate the less educated.
Could it have something to do with the baseless assumptions and broad accusations?! Wow! Breathe deep and stop.
I don’t want to assume but I think I know what you’re feeling. ESPECIALLY after two degreed, black, female coworkers have now twice blocked my opportunity at advancement…but it’s not personal, it’s for the good of the Department, or so I’m told. Even my mom, when I cried on her knee about it, she just looked at me and said, “chile, how long you been black and female? You know how they/WE are and you know the types of things they/WE do.”
The key to stopping our sisters from thinking less of us, is to stop thinking less of our sisters.
and also, to stop thinking less of ourselves. Cee Cee, I’m so sorry you had this experience and I’ll take it with me to make sure I don’t continue to perpetuate internalized oppression of my people.
I agree.