When Will Black Women Reap What They Sow?
By Kydia Bilbo, Staff Writer
As you probably already know, the most disrespected, unprotected, and neglected person in the world is the Black woman, and 2020 has been no different. We face racism, sexism, and discrimination every single day. Megan Pete, better known as Megan Thee Stallion, alleges Canadian rapper Tory Lanez unjustifiably shot her in both of her feet in July. After Megan broke the news to Instagram, social media users began to choose sides, and the majority accused Megan of lying about being shot.
According to the CDC, Black women are murdered at the highest rate, and sadly, most murders go unsolved and receive no attention. Black women are rarely encouraged or supported when they speak their truth to the world regarding their assaults or violations, which is why the media put Megan through hell when she told her truth to the world, and unfortunately, she had to take desperate measures to attempt to get people to believe her trauma.
Black women are exploited and treated unfairly in the media, the workplace, and the political arena. Black women in the military are risking their lives every day, no different from their male counterparts yet they still receive discriminatory treatment. Also, Kamala Harris, the first black woman to be a vice-presidential nominee, is constantly disrespected while arguably the most qualified individual on the ballot.
Deceitful gossip began spreading like wildfire after the incident, so Megan went the extra mile and allowed the hospital to release her records. She also pleaded her case several times on social media platforms including Twitter and Instagram. She even addressed Lanez on Instagram live and stating, “You shot me.”
Megan has to jump hurdles to be heard. This further proves the neglect and silencing that Black women face daily.
Despite Megan’s efforts, there are still nonbelievers. Lanez responded to the controversy with an album discrediting Megan’s claims. His exploitation and disregard for Megan’s feelings speak volumes regarding the way Black men treat Black women.
Lanez included lyrics in his songs that denied all allegations, depicting Megan as a liar. The pattern of intentional abuse Lanez exhibited towards Megan demonstrates the disrespect Black women have long been the victims of.
Aside from Megan’s assault, we endured plenty this year including mourning the loss of Breonna Taylor while simultaneously protesting for the protection of unarmed Black men. Unfortunately, Black men fail to reciprocate the support. The way Breonna has yet to receive any real justice and the fact that the world was laughing and making memes about Megan’s tragedy says a lot for the way the world continually takes Black women for a joke. Until the world begins to value us and hear our voices, this neglect will continue.
Megan speaking up about protecting all Black women while recovering from being shot twice demonstrates the sacrifices that Black women continuously make. Megan found the time and motivation to write an article dedicated to shedding light on the sensitive issues we battle. Megan wrote an article for The New York Times “Why I Speak Up For Black Women,”
Protecting Black women should not be controversial. Protecting Black women should be far from debatable when we are constantly harmed, dehumanized, and treated worthlessly by society,” said Megan.
“We deserve to be protected as human beings. And we are entitled to our anger about a laundry list of mistreatment and neglect that we suffer.”
Black women have consistently reached for the stars despite adversity, whereas we went from not even being able to vote legally to a Black woman being the Vice-Presidential nominee for the United States of America. We have come a long way, but it is evident that we have an even longer way to go. We can only hope that society begins to support us moving forward so that we do not continue to endure these obstacles alone.