You’re here. Please come in. I’ve been waiting for you, Queen. Have a seat. I’ve prepared a big comfortable chair just for you. Take off your shoes and relax. Stay awhile. In fact, don’t worry about taking off your shoes, I’ll do it for you. Please, let me cater to you. You just rest your feet and your mind. It’s an unfair world, isn’t it? There’s so much going on, but for the next few minutes, my attention is on you, and you alone.
Are you hungry? Do you like wine? Good. Let me pour you a glass of my finest Chardonnay. You’ve had quite a day, huh? I bet. You’ve endured much, yet still, you rise. You are the definition of strength and virtue.
Black women lend me your ear for a moment. I promise this won’t take too long, although if I were to fully express how I felt about you, we’d be here all day and night. It takes that much time to express how incredible you are. This world hasn’t been fair to you and we, Black men, haven’t always been fair to you, either. This is an honest statement, albeit painful to admit, but nonetheless true. We haven’t always protected you as we should’ve. We haven’t always supported you. This is a crime against you. Black women, you deserve more from us in 2021; you deserve more from the world.
This piece was written in celebration, respect, and admiration for all Black women. You’ve gracefully fought and continue to fight to be heard, valued, and taken seriously. Your issues have been put on the back burner for far too long. Your cries in the darkness often went unheard. Today, I want to do my part in changing that. Your thoughts, feelings, and issues matter. You deserve more than you’ve gotten. I hope by the end of this piece, you’ll feel the sincerity of my heart. It’s also my hope that you’d feel appreciated.
Black women, I just want to talk you up for a moment. Is that alright? You’re brilliant and in a league of your own. You’re making moves and voices heard. You’re doing all of this with class and excellence. You’re creating businesses and jobs. I applaud you, especially since corporate America hasn’t given you a fair shake. You’ve created your own seat at the table. You’re the definition of motherhood. You heal. You inspire. It’s true that everything you touch turns to gold. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Your impact on the culture is unmatched. There are so many examples of your brilliance, it’s literally woven into the fabric of our lives.
Your beauty is deeper than your outward appearance; while we could bask in your glow all day, words cannot fully express all that you are. There’s something about your smile that makes everything alright. The calmness of your voice makes our deepest pain easier to bear. When you speak, nature listens. When you move, things change. The essence of God is within you. Every shade of your Blackness is majestic. You cannot be duplicated. You’re alluring. You’re the definition of graceful. Every inch of your body is heaven on earth. You bring people hope with your smile, and your presence lights up an entire room. Please don’t ever let anyone make you feel inferior.
There aren’t enough words in the English lexicon that could be used to adequately describe all that you are. I stand with all of the other men across the world who see you, hear you and strive to do a better job of being what you need. Black women, we love you. Black women, we support you. Black women, we honor you. Black women, we need you. You’re powerful beyond measure.