“The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.” 

-Malcolm X

What do you think Malcolm X would say to you as a Black Man today? Do you think he would applaud you for all the strides made toward protecting the Black Woman or do you think he would be disappointed. Personally I think the latter. Black Man the purpose of this letter is not to put you down, it is however a reality check into how one unprotected Black Woman feels.

Lately it appears that the protection of Black Women is a joke. We are known for being strong, independent, fiercely courageous and therefore may not implore empathy from others. I’ll give you a recent example, Megan Thee Stallion, was shot by a Black Man and instead of his fellow men checking (calling him to the carpet) him about his actions or coming to her aid she gets dragged, she gets humiliated, she gets questioned. What did she do? What didn’t she do? Should we believe her? These were the questions floating around. My questions: why wasn’t there a bunch of “Hip Hop Men” who expeditiously got together to call this other Black Man out. Why didn’t you all rush to the phone to call your fellow artist to see if she was okay? Was it because of the way she dresses, her song lyrics that you lack compassion for this Black Woman?! He couldn’t possibly have shot her for no apparent reason right?! Whatever the reason do you agree with his actions Black Man? Where is the protection for our emotions, where is the protection for our bodies, where are the Black Men who recognize we need protection even us tough girls who can handle ourselves?

Let’s give you all another scenario of Black Women being left to fend for themselves. We have seen the interviews, heard the stories yet for some reason it’s hard for Black Men to understand the emotional damage caused by one of their own. I’m talking about one Robert Kelly (R. Kelly). These Black Women have cried tears, been vulnerable and opened up to the world to tell their story. Did some do it for money? Yes! Did some do it for exposure? Maybe! A great deal of them did it to reveal the monster behind the music. Yet again the skepticism that plays a factor in a Black Woman being vulnerable is ridiculous. If we can’t handle the situation we must be weak, stupid, asking for it. Our emotional state gets rocked to the core and yet we are often told to display strength. I want to know why no one told August Alsina to display strength after he exposed his “entanglement” with Jada Pickett-Smith?! Why have I heard more men express concern for his emotional state?! What is the difference between the R. Kelly women and August, Black Man? I’d really like to know. I in no way shape or form condone mentally, spiritually, or physically interrupting someone’s space. Wrong is wrong, why is one wrong easier to acknowledge than the other. 

These are examples we see plastered because these people are famous. Black Man I want you to think about the Black Women in your neighborhood. You know the women you see every day. You see her harassed, you see her abused, you see her struggling. Yet your excuse is, “she’ll just go back to him” “she doesn’t know how to accept help”, “it’s not my problem.”  At what point do we stop making excuses and offer a helping hand even if that hand is shooed away. What makes you not want to protect the Black Woman?

Breonna Taylor’s murderers are still free. Let’s start there, if you haven’t already done so go to this link and help get her some justice and protect the next Black Woman. I really hope these few thoughts (because let’s face it I could go on) open up your thoughts and that you elect to start conversations with other Black Men and Women to figure out how we as a community can feel protected. Don’t feel picked on my brothers, check out tomorrow’s post, I got a message for the Black Woman as well.