Greater The Expectation

"Black women are often treated like children who are expected to be seen but not heard. It's ironic that they're silenced, yet criticized for not speaking up sooner. When we finally find the courage to share our pain, they question its validity and ask why we put ourselves in harm's way. They dismiss our trauma, telling us to 'get over it' and 'move on' without acknowledging the triggers that still haunt us.

When we name our abusers, they blame us for not choosing better partners, perpetuating harmful stereotypes like 'boys will be boys' and 'women lie.' Meanwhile, black women are expected to protect and support our men, only to be betrayed and ignored when we need help ourselves. We're conditioned to prioritize others' wounds over our own, just as we were taught to put others first.

Our credibility is constantly questioned, with our worth tied to our bodies and sexual experiences. We're shamed for our sexuality, with phrases like 'fast women' and 'asking for it' perpetuating harmful stereotypes. The bigger the 'hook,' the bigger the hole - or perhaps the bigger the hole, the bigger the barrier to justice and equality."