Dear Black Woman

To all of my beautiful Black queens, the first thing I would like to say:

Thank you. You are all greatly appreciated. You deserve the world and everything positive it has to offer.

Oftentimes, the shortcomings and injustices done to Black men are displayed and highlighted. But, no one has it tougher than Black women. You are seen as inferior; having an attitude; being hostile; unworthy of having a voice; and, viewed as sex objects even by your own men.

All of these things are stereotypical and simply not true.

If you came from adverse situations and were constantly treated unfairly-- you, too, would have some of the same characteristics. So, I'm here to give praise and tell the true plight of the Black woman-- one of courage, loyalty, perseverance, endurance and a glowing grace that can only come from God.

The Black woman is a true queen; she is the mother of the earth. Her brilliance and resilience is undeniable.

You--

You are gentle enough to push and propel your man towards greatness, while being strong enough to raise young Black boys and girls, in some cases, with little to no help. You are the most imitated creature on the face of the earth. Once criticized and ridiculed for the texture of your hair, nose, cheek bones and curvy body-- but now, people pay hundreds and thousands of dollars for everything God gave you naturally.

Thank you for being loving, kind, intelligent and unbreakable. When life gives you lemons, you give them back, and you plant your own orange trees. [It's never about what someone offers you, it's about what you accept].

As a man who was raised by a woman, my grandmother, I saw firsthand the love, sternness, and prayer it takes to stay focused in a society that devalues you. I know I'm not the first, but I most certainly shouldn't be the last to give you the credit you deserve.

So, I want to say thank you, and I love you.

On the song, Dear Mama, Tupac famously said, "There's no way I can pay you back, but my plan is to show you that I understand; you are appreciated!"

The beautiful thing about a race is that it never ends in the same place it starts. You can go from the hood to Hollywood, or from student body president to Vice President of the United States. No matter how superior a man may think he may be, I guarantee you, he can't come home from work, cook, wash clothes, and go have a baby all in the same day. Being a woman is a hard job, but being a Black woman is damn near impossible. Yet, and still…

You make it look easy and effortless, and you do it with grace and class.

Thank you for being great wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and best friends. When God made you, he truly made glory personified.

So, Black men. It’s time we step up to take care of and protect our beautiful Black queens in this country-- the same way they have been doing for us since slavery.

May your test become testimonies, and your light shine to the heavens. Remember, those who are blessed should always bless others, not because you have to, but because you want to.