The Black Woman in America

Photo by Jessica Felicio

The life of a Black Woman in America
The most disrespected person
So much weighs on our shoulders
So much doesn’t move without us
So much work to do
It does not stop
We carry so much in our bodies
Our stress, pain, anger, and joy all in the same place, fighting for room and attention
It is overwhelming, but we have to survive because that’s the only way that we all survive
And life keeps going
Through the Black Woman
Don’t take us for granted
Don’t hurt us
Love us unconditionally
Because we need it too
Love us cause we are your life, and you need to survive too.

Dr. Ashley Marshall

Dr. Ashley Marshall is a co-founder and director of Forward Justice and Forward Justice Action Network, social and racial justice organizations serving the U.S. South. She is a creative, advocate, and educator whose research interests are Black women’s leadership in political, community, and social movement spaces.