Why I Think It’s Important For Black Women To Be Empowered.
As the husband of a Black woman, I was asked to answer this question. The word “Empowerment” is presently such a buzzword as to become meaningless. In order to advocate for it, I must first positively define it on my terms. I will define Empowerment as the combination of three A’s: Agency, Aim, and Advocacy.
Agency: is the spark of the divine within each of us. It is our free will. It is our personal value. It is the limitless potential to guide ourselves and to affect the world around us. ● Agency means that, despite an overwhelming number of factors beyond your control, you are responsible for your own actions and for the consequences of those actions. ● Agency means that you take responsibility for your mistakes.
● Agency means that you take credit for your successes (more on this in a moment). ● Agency is the necessary precursor to empowerment. Cherish and protect it.
Aim: represents our goals and motivations. It is the target to which we direct our gaze, and that gaze should be toward the heavens. Every step that we take should be toward the target to which we Aim. In short, Empowerment is the act of moving toward our goals. So how do we do that?
● First, Aim for personal health. This includes physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Start by taking time to work on the woman in the mirror.
● Next, Aim to turn your potential value into practical value. Educate yourself to develop the skills needed by an employer. Fill a niche needed by others. Embody those things that a partner would desire. Remember that this is done incrementally over time. You cannot build a strong foundation without first seeking out the necessary knowledge and developing the necessary skills. Otherwise you risk doing more harm than good.
● Aim for independence first. To be able to support others, you must first be able to support yourself. In order to be happy with a partner, you must first be happy by yourself. ● Finally, it’s time to change the world! Now that you can stand up for yourself, you can begin to stand up for others. Work to improve your family. After that, work to improve your community. From there, work to improve the world. Keep your Aim true.
Advocacy: is especially important for the women in my life. While this comes naturally to most men, women often have a difficult time Advocating for themselves. Remember, if you do not Advocate for yourself, you risk being taken for granted, or worse, ignored.
● First, Advocate your value. Let your employer know how important you are to their company. Tell your clients and investors what distinguishes you from others. Remind your partner how valuable you are to them and to the family. Let the world know what you have to offer and how much worse things would be without you.
● Next, Advocate for your own needs. Reciprocity and compromise are the foundation of every relationship, and no healthy relationship is one-sided. Let your employer know what you are worth. Let your partner know what YOU need from THEM. Don’t be afraid to devote reasonable time and resources to yourself. Meeting your own needs is fundamental to meeting the needs of others.
● Choose as friends and partners only those who Advocate for what is in your best interest. Do not choose those who are jealous of your achievements or who resent your success.
Now that we know what Empowerment looks like, the answer to the question becomes obvious. Why is it important for a Black woman to be “Empowered”? Because it defends her from all of the things that she cannot control. Because it gives her a reason to endure life’s tragedies and injustices. Because it allows her to be all that she can be.