Malcom X once said, “The most disrespected person... is the black woman. The most unprotected person... is the black woman. The most neglected person...is the black woman.”

We have seen this story repeat itself in every corner of the globe. We have seen it in relationships, professional environments, politics, schools, and even churches. The Black Woman has been left alone to fend for herself since the beginning of time.


**In the home**
The Black Woman is neglected even by her own man. Her husband leaves her alone in the home either due to professional reasons or extra marital affairs. In other times, The Black Woman is left in a position of a ‘single’ parent regardless of the marriage contract. She takes care of the home and children while making sure that her own health doesn't fall apart.

Nowadays, The Black Woman will choose to marry a white partner. But it doesn’t make things better because once he is fed up, he reminds her of how the world sees her. It’s even worse in such scenarios because of the race differences and the infidelities of the man. Unfortunately, she also faces racial slurs and discrimination which come from his circle. So, in the end, who protects The Black Woman?


**Professional spaces**
Her intelligence will hardly be acknowledged. Her qualifications will usually mean nothing to her bosses. Her wages are usually half of those of her colleagues. If she dares to be assertive, then she becomes labelled as an angry woman. They start to gossip and say she is difficult to work with. They start to plot on her downfall.

She is not expected to have any voice. She performs her job in the most accurate manner. In fact, she outdoes herself and others. Yet, she receives no recognition for her efforts. So, in the end, who protects The Black Woman?


**Society**
The society disrespects her. It doesn’t acknowledge her feelings and emotions; or in some instances, even her existence. The Black Woman is abused, degraded, tossed aside and blamed for everyone’s faults. She is neither believed nor supported in her struggles. Even the legal system has bias when it comes to The Black Woman. Generally, her voice is rejected and unheard. She is deemed as a person of less importance.

The Black Woman is expected to change herself to fit the agenda of others. She is told to adapt, be less visible, change her hair, and bleach her skin. Generally, she is expected to reduce herself into nothingness so that everyone else can feel comfortable. She is told that her boldness is harmful to others. She is told that she’s being negative and aggressive when she stands up for herself.

Usually, her views are diminished, and they gain her a label of a crazy woman. She is told to shut up and play along. So, in the end, who is there to protect The Black Woman?

(If you can relate to any of these issues, please share this post with the hashtag #IAmTheBlackWoman )