Cara Simone Sparks
Bio
Black Women Mental Health Matters
Stories (6/0)
Black Women Who Are Angry At Their Mothers
The first time I realized my relationship with my mother would never be healthy was at a young age. In my childhood home it was not about the emotional side of things. I don’t think I ever had an opinion that was taken seriously or encouraged. Through the past down abuse from those around me I learned to lean on myself. It was not like all kids at my age were having mother issues but mine seemed to stick on me like a heavy stench. It was like her negative thoughts and opinions traveled everywhere throughout my life.
By Cara Simone Sparks 2 years ago in Families
Black Women Who Survive Rape
The first time I was sexually assaulted was at the age of five. It was by my neighbors. It happened so fast that I cannot begin to remember when my abuse actually started. They were sneaky. They would sit on their front porch and watch me. I thought it was weird at first but they never spoke to me. They would just wave or smile. In the back of my mind, it felt weird but a wave and smile seemed harmless. They were patient went it came to me. I guess it is why they are called sexual predators.
By Cara Simone Sparks 3 years ago in Psyche
Black Women With Eating Disorders
My eating disorder started in elementary school. I did not realize I had a problem with eating until I became much older. I had always been skinny my whole life. Genetically this was how God made me but there were times when I did not eat all. I think growing up in a single parent home and always having to watch how much food I could intake it started my first problem with eating. Those around me were always concentrated on my body because I was smaller than them. They would make fun of my small breasts and small frame. It made me feel ugly and worthless. I was a black girl who was not overly developed as a child and people noticed.
By Cara Simone Sparks 3 years ago in Humans
Black Women Are Not Emotional Punching Bags
Emotional abuse is hard to see. It cannot be shown through a scar like on a leg or covered up with a band-aid. It is a pain the abuser does not want the victim or anyone to know it exists. Emotional abuse makes a person fear love, friends, and life itself. It has its affect on the mind, body, and soul. No one can see it unless the person starts to act differently. My story with emotional abuse started as a child.
By Cara Simone Sparks 3 years ago in Humans
Black Women Who Survive PTSD
As a little girl I grew up moving around a lot. I was the daughter of a single mother. Nothing was ever easy. Frankly, the day by day life was hard. Sometimes McDonald’s was the only thing for dinner. I remember thinking I would never get out of this situation. I would never experience life as a happy child. I cried myself to sleep most nights because I felt alone and afraid to speak my mind. After the few times I moved around it felt like I would never have a home. I wanted to grow up with friends and family. I craved for stability.
By Cara Simone Sparks 3 years ago in Humans
Black Women Cry Too
The older I get the more I realize how hard it is to be a woman of color. Of course, I have had my share of problems as a little girl but sometimes there is already a fixed mentality and reality for black women. African American women are told as little girls to never cry and to be strong. Even if black women have a moment of weakness it is either depicted as anger or bitterness. I was always a women who took the punches of the black women around me. I became a bit of an empath because I cared about how my actions and words hindered the existence of the black women I knew. Instead I was bullied, belittled, and bad-mouthed as if I was the one with the problem.
By Cara Simone Sparks 3 years ago in Humans