I am proud of my blackness. I don’t regret where I’m from or the way I was born. But I haven’t always been like this. There were times where I questioned why I was brought into a world that despised me. I would watch the news, see the latest tomfoolery on social media, and see the comments cursing me and anyone who looks like me for ever being born. I questioned if being Black was as much of a blessing as some made it out to be. But then I reflected on my experiences throughout my life and all the things I still have yet to accomplish and realize something. There is a reason for everything. I was born a Black woman because it is what was meant for me. I also came to realize that being a Black woman comes with certain traits that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Creativity

From my observations over the years, Black women have an innate sense of creativity. My own family consists of women who craft, draw, write, etc. Some make custom clothing, others use hair and makeup as an outlet, and others have a combination of all of these. The rise of social media has only made this creativity more evident as thousands of women share their talents online. One of these women (Nails by Cyy) owns a YouTube channel showcasing her artistry with nail design tutorials. Her designs are intricate, but she explains how she achieved them in an easy way to understand.

This creativity isn’t limited to careers in the arts though. Even within corporate and government roles, creativity is present though in a different way. This morphs into the ability to effectively problem solve. My aunt is a prime example of this. She doesn’t let negative or taxing situations affect her from achieving her goals. She compiles every possible solution, weighs her options, and chooses what works best at the moment.

Resilience

Black women are an important demographic for raising awareness and leveling the playing field. Often at the forefront of movements such as Black Lives Matter, we prevail in standing up for what is right in everyday life and on a greater scale. Take the current presidential race for example. After VP Kamala Harris announced her presidential candidacy, thousands of Black women garnered support through hosting Zoom calls and raising money. Their support broke records within a meager 24-hour period. It was a shock to my past doubts that, yes, Black women have and continue to come together for the greater good.

Fun

The events hosted by Black women are some of the best I’ve been to. Growing up, my best memories were of the holidays and going to family gatherings. It wasn’t only because I’m family oriented, but because there was always the feeling of belonging. You came as you were and had a good time every time. This ambience extends to many other Black gatherings I’ve been to. There is always someone with a speaker playing classic blues songs, early R&B, and some modern hip hop. People put their all into soul food that attendants take multiple plates of back home. There’s dancing and a lot of good conversation. It’s just a great vibe that can’t be beat.

Takeaway

These are only a few of the many characteristics I’ve noticed. Of course, no one fits into a mold perfectly. We are versatile. So, if you have any doubts like I did, remember that you are a Black woman. You don’t need to fit anyone’s standards except your own. You are special and loved.