The Reality for Black Women
Article by Orsi Brown | Art by Jillian Hartshorne
In 1964, Malcolm X argued that “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman”, and there are still hundreds of instances today that prove him right. The aspects in which Black women are mistreated can go on. The pay gap, maternal mortality rate, maltreatment, the “angry Black woman” stereotype, stereotypes about eloquence, names, and physical appearance…
People have been taken aback by former president Donald Trump’s behavior towards his Black female interviewers during the National Association of Black Journalists Convention in July this year. As they asked clarifying questions about his previous statements, Trump responded in a hostile tone; judging them for others’ mistakes and using illegitimate answers to their questions. His answers were surprising, as his remarks and tone with the interviewers were as if they were not credible in their jobs. He went on to question Kamala Harris’ race as a Black and Indian woman, despite her confirmation of her cultural lineage many times before. During one of his campaign rallies, Trump knowingly mispronounced and mocked Harris’ first name, announcing, “I couldn’t care less if I mispronounce it or not, I couldn’t care less.”
This year's running candidate for president must demonstrate he can at least follow the bare minimum and learn to pronounce his running mate’s name. It cannot be helped but to think that his disrespect for her identity is a reflection of his general disrespect for her race and gender. Despite the disrespect Harris has received from many people within politics, there's also an absence of responses from the media to condemn such comments; nobody, except for Black women, has felt inclined to speak out. There’s a lack of respect for Kamala Harris as not only a woman but also a Black woman. This is only one of many examples of the daily disadvantages the whole Black female community faces.
Black women are paid the least in the workforce. As of this year, “the wage gap for Black women compared to non-Hispanic white men is 69 cents for full-time, year-round workers. The wage gap widens to 66 cents when looking at all Black women earners (including full-time, part-time and part-year workers), as compared to all working non-Hispanic white men.” (Equal Pay Today). The average working Black woman has to work twice as hard to maintain financial stability because of the race and gender she was born with. There still has been no major media coverage to bring awareness and promote equitable change, and the gap remains the same.
To go along with unfair disadvantages, Black women's lives are the most at risk during childbirth. As of 2024, Black women in the US have had the highest maternal mortality rate with 51 deaths per 100,000; 3 to 4 times more than any other race. (National Center for Health Statistics)
On September 15th this year, Bevorlin Garcia Barrios, a 24-year-old Black woman from New York, passed away after receiving insufficient care from Woodhull Hospital. On September 12th, Barrios had complaints of not feeling well. In response, medical staff told her to go home and that she would be okay. Barrios died from C-section complications three days later.
Even aspects that may not seem as important deeply affect Black women. In June 2023, The International Journal of Women’s Dermatology determined that “Black women spend 9 times more on ethnic hair products than non-Black consumers” through a series of extensive research. Black women do not have the freedom to not depend on hair products either, as doing natural Black hair is rewarding but tedious and timely work. There is also a lack of comfort about natural hair texture within the community that stems from historical discrimination which has left obvious lasting effects. Multiple women go through draining routines to “control” their hair when they should not have to feel uncomfortable in the first place. Discrimination even towards features like natural Black hair has caused immense physical, financial, and psychological pain.
Black women are dealt unfair disadvantages the second they’re born. As disheartening as it is, our resilience and strength continue to grow and serve as inspiring resistance to disrespect, hopefully picking up more allies along the way.
Sources:
https://speakola.com/political/malcolm-x-speech-to-black-women-1962
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3cmvi1-jamU
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/provisional-maternal-deaths-rates.htm
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/03/nyregion/woodhull-hospital-childbirth-death.html
https://www.equalpaytoday.org/black-womens-equal-pay-day#:~:text=July%209%2C%202024&t
ext=The%20wage%20gap%20widens%20to,working%20non%2DHispanic%20white%20men.
