To My Black Sisters, With Love
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My Dearest Sisters, Today is heavy. Once again, Black women showed up and showed out in this election. From Kamala Harris to our first-time Black young women voters, we carried the day. But even with all that we give, we’re left to shoulder the consequences of those who chose not to fight. It’s exhausting. It’s depressing. It’s discouraging. I worry for us—for our children, for our loved ones, for our community. Last night’s results have set into motion a wave of repercussions that will impact Black communities and other people of color for decades, if not lifetimes. There’s a heaviness, a grief, and a frustration I feel for those who remain uninformed or indifferent to the seriousness of it all. I reached out to several of my sister-friends, because only we know this specific feeling. The constant reminder that no matter how educated, qualified, or hard we’ve worked, this country still doesn’t see us as competent. The trauma of simply existing as a Black woman in America can get to be too much. Every sister I reached out to had her own struggles on top of navigating this election and everyday life. And who do we tell it to? One another. We’re all stumbling with life challenges but only have each other to understand and hold space for these burdens. We carry so much in silence because we don’t want to add to the weight our sister-friends already bear. And for so many of us, God is the only one we feel we can truly go to without the guilt of “bothering” each other. It’s not fair. So today, I urge you to put yourself first. Take a day to release. Let this be the push you need to pursue that new career, go back to school, start that business, or begin something new. We are highly intelligent and creative, and I know there’s something in your heart you’ve been putting off. Do it! Put yourself first this time. Live selfishly. Take the sadness you feel today and transform it into motivation. This is not the end. We are not defeated. We are fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalms 139:14) I love you all, and I’m cheering each of us on. Take the time you need to release. Take the time you need for YOU. With love, Ingrid |