Samantha Katz’s Post

Glad to see this image is getting traction. To read the post that goes with the image below, you can visit my blog: https://lnkd.in/eXKveAtd

This is so powerful and moving.

This is powerful imagery. Addressing the invisibility of Black women requires more than just acknowledgment; it demands active and intentional efforts to amplify our voices, dismantle systemic barriers, and center their experiences in discussions of social justice and progress. It necessitates creating spaces where Black women are not only seen but also heard, valued, and respected as agents of change and architects of a more equitable future. Something to think about.

This is captivating art. While I will not claim to speak to the state of mind or, indeed, the intended message of the artist, what I see as an art layperson is a confluence or a collision. Of mystery. Of experiences. Of perception. Of hope. Of despair. Of courage. Of fear. Of unity. Of conflict. The liminality between collision and divergence. To me it is a complex message portrayed. Not a straightforward one. The art is not a straightforward piece, neither is the message. So is the story, or stories it attempts to tell in a single piece. I think of my mother. Was her voice ignored? Yes. Was it ignored by invisible actors? Not always. Some actors were known and didn’t hide. Was her voice heard? Yes. But not always. The experience is frustrating. Heard, but not sufficiently so. Empowered, but not sufficiently so. But the few times this voice is heard, it is powerful in its impact. Imagine where the world would be were this voice heard more consistently and more equally? Like this piece, it is the contradiction of experiences that is straining and frustrating. The confluence and divergence. Not being so straightforward means the navigation is complex and the climb steep.

A picture is worth a thousand words! In today’s culture of DEI and change, there are many who want to only speak on some groups created, some policy changes, some progress made. Meanwhile, ask those who are impacted by the changes, and how things are progressing. For a system hundreds of years old, this thing called change will take time! Sooo, no, we have not arrived! Without a doubt, DEI is an essential non-violent option to bring about respect of each other and our differences, wholeness/authenticity, equity, inclusion, and belonging! The hard conversations are an embedded part of the DEIBA process that’s gotten us this far. Don’t stop now! It’s not rocket science, it’s simple, if people in positions to push change embrace it! Otherwise, it’s status quo, because change is only to a degree of someone’s comfort, and it is not ours! Invisible or not! We are here! Continue the efforts of DEIBA!👑

Taraji P. Henson's remarks shed light on the disparity in pay for black actresses within the industry. However, the focus of the conversation should shift towards the commodification of labor among black women. Essentially, the work of black women has been reduced to a commodity or product for corporations to exploit, influenced by rules, regulations, and social norms. The foundation of this practice, sustained by the core elements of rules, institutions, and social norms, results in the withholding of fair compensation for the work performed. What makes this issue even more alarming is that this labor dynamic not only perpetuates the problem but also strengthens the capitalist structures and corporations behind it. Shockingly, statistics reveal that over a twenty-year career, black women may experience a loss of nearly 1 million dollars due to pay disparities. Even for someone like Taraji, who falls into a higher income bracket, facing gendered pay discrimination highlights the pervasive nature of the pay gap. This suggests that, irrespective of one's income or class, capitalist structures across all industries contribute to and sustain pay inequities.

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https://lnkd.in/ebRPrPAS There is a long history of media misogynoir in sports. Black women are not often given the space and the grace to be vulnerable about their trials, tribulations, and traumas. The media has a responsibility to report in ways that are as ethical and bias-free as possible. It should be a mandatory requirement for those working in the media to be educated about racial biases and stereotypes like the Angry Black Woman trope and the adultification bias, and understand how easy it is to engage in misogynoir when providing commentary about a Black woman. 

As someone that hopes to have a PhD one day, any time I have the opportunity to help out with someone's research I do it, because one day I will be asking for this same type of support. If you are a black woman please consider taking this survey to help this researcher better understand the Strong Black Woman and self care among Black women. It took me less than 10 minutes to complete the survey. #strongblackwomanschema #selfcare

"Positioning Black women as saviors of the world is not a compliment. Instead, it is a clear indication that Black women have become mythologized by racist ideologies as soldiers “ready” and “capable” to save the world from itself. Many Black women engage in activist work to liberate themselves from a society that degrades their existence. But they are continually expected to show up even if that means fighting for the interests of others with no one fighting for theirs." I Am Not Your Savior, a Digital ToolKit on Dismantling the Black Woman Savior Trope, from Thea Gay and Intersectional Environmentalist is more timely than ever, especially as a Black woman is running for the highest leadership position in the U.S. Download the toolkit at https://lnkd.in/dKgnqBgB 🗞 Check out our latest newsletter for more resources like this: https://lnkd.in/eJFdGFwv