#strong black woman

[kingsolomonsmind]

Four Hundred Degreez

#yoki sturrup #ebonysuperwoman #strong black woman #black woman body #beautiful black women

[pinkomcranger]

my thoughts on Saga Anderson and the lack of spotlight on her in fanworks

Hmmm…this has been bothering me since I waded into the fandom after AW2 dropped. WHY DOES 99.9% OF THE FANDOM SLEEP ON SAGA WHILE IT'S HALF HER GAME???

I DON'T understand the fixation on Casey (even though I adore him and he's the other half of my OTP), or Zane to the point that when Saga is in ensemble art, she's relegated to being the "bro". And for what purpose? She has just as much build up and storyline as Alan himself. She certainly has more screen time than FBI Casey. I see posts going "oh, I love Saga so much, she was so badass" and then almost nothing when it comes to fan work.

Do y'all understand, how, as a black woman, this frustrates me to NO end? I go to her tag on AO3, see new fics, get excited...just to see she's the bro or footnote to CaseyWake. I've literally been brought to TEARS over this. Saga was written with SO much love and care, and it's so obvious. She was not the stereotypical sassy, angry, loud black woman that we tend to get when we're even thought of at all.

And it's genuinely PAINFUL to see all of the love, all of that care, ALL OF THAT RESPECT, IGNORED by fandom because you want to focus on the white men. Because why? I get it, het is so icky for most of you, fine. But to not even give her fanart/fics just on her and her daughter? It's terribly egregious.

Saga Anderson is genuinely a role model. She's smart, warm, funny, dedicated, sympathetic and passionate. She will change REALITY just to save the ones she loves. She's NEVER had to deal with anything like the Bright Falls situation and she came through it with such GRACE. She saved the fucking day. She did what Alan couldn't do in THIRTEEN YEARS. And she gets no recognizance in fanworks?

And I know the majority of this fandom happens to be made up of women, at least for fanworks. You truly mean to tell me you can't, at all, even a little bit, relate to this woman? You can't make her the focus, instead of a background character? The white men are easier to understand and draw/write for?

I can't tell anyone who to like, or who to ship, nor would I ever try to, because on the internet, it seems like het is icky despite how amazing the woman is. But I've seen comments towards andercase fanart going "Saga, no, you're married!" But shipping CaseyWake in the same breath, despite Alan being married and getting back to his wife being the main motivation for Alan to do anything at all.

It comes off as hypocritical, it comes off a wee bit "I don't know what to do with this black woman...hmm, let's just make her root for CaseyWake" I'm left feeling that Sam and the team love Saga more than the fans ever do or will. And that fucking sucks. Because to put so much thought into a character and love the character, just to be ignored?

That hurts, really really badly. I genuinely enjoyed feeling like I was represented. I loved having a character I could relate to, one I could understand. But it feels like I'm in the minority. When she tells Alan he's not alone in this, this is THEIR story...well, that was the truth for me, and I wish others felt the same way.

I genuinely adore the works Saga has gotten that focus on her, and I see so much love and care put into them. It just somehow feels like fandom made this game into CaseyWake 24/7 and it's icky.

#alan wake 2 #saga anderson #alex casey #alan wake #meta #my thoughts #strong black woman #video games #I love Saga Anderson in every way #I would go to war for her #and it sucks that people push her aside and make her the bro #when she was never a footnote #and shouldn't be treated like one #why can't Saga get as much time and attention as Casey? #doesn't she deserve it? #Casey seems to draw in more of a crowd #when the majority of FBI Casey's time is spent with Saga #andercase shouldn't be ignored simply because she's married and has a vag #but I guess I'm in the minority #I'll just keep screaming and crying into the void #I'll singlehandedly keep Saga out of the periphery when it comes to fanfic #despite loving andercase Saga will always be the focus #she will never be the footnote in her own story

[leikeliscomet]

Nah I'm seeing a lot of posts on here and twitter blaming Martha's fans for her mischaracterization and while this does happen I'm really not feeling the idea that feeling sorry for Martha like at all is form of infantilisation or removing her agency. Already covered this in previous posts but the strong-Black-womaning is starting to piss me off bc its not an either or. You can feel sympathy for Martha and recognise that she grew and moved on at the same time. Like this doesn't happen to any other companion. We still recognise Rose's vulnerabilities even tho she got herself a gun. We recognise the Clara that pretended to be the Doctor is the same Clara that broke down crying. Again this is why you have to engage with antiblackness as itself and not just a fandom issue bc any basic reading will show you that pity and sympathy are things not afforded to Black women on a systemic or social level and arguing this ruins our characterisation, we need less or none at all is not giving what you think its giving.

#describe Black women without using the words “strong” or “independent” challenge #Praise a Martha Jones trait that isn't strength challenge #doctor who #martha jones #doctor who fandom #fandom antiblackness #dr who fandom #dw fandom #black representation #strong black woman #fandom vent #fandom misogynoir

[mimi-0007]

Edna Mae Harris (September 29, 1914 – September 15, 1997), sometimes credited as Edna May Harris was an American actress and singer. Harris was one of the first African–American film actress of the late 1930s and early 1940s, appearing in films featuring mostly African–American casts.

Born in Harlem, Harris parents were Sam, a boxer and customs inspector; Her mother Mary Harris (née Walker) worked as a maid. Harris' family is noted as one of the first families to have migrated to Harlem. Settling near the Lafayette Theater, Harris was convinced into pursuing a career in show business by Ethel Waters and Maud Russell who were frequent visitors to her family home. After being coached on her singing and dancing by Waters and Russell, Harris began performing in the Theater Owners Booking Association (TOBA). An African-American vaudeville circuit, Harris performed with TOBA from 1929 until 1933.

Harris attended Wadleigh High School (later known as Wadleigh High School for Girls) in Manhattan. During the summer after her sophomore year of high school, Harris worked at the Alhambra Theater doing dramatic sketches with a stock company. During this period, Harris received excellent training in diction and stage delivery through her association with veteran performers. Harris was also an excellent swimmer in high school, and in 1928 she entered the New York Daily News' Swimming Meet and won a championship.

Harris first real Hollywood break came when she landed a part in The Green Pastures (1936), portraying Zeba, starring with Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson. Harris was a leading lady in Spirit of Youth (1938), the story of the rise of boxer Joe Thomas, which paralleled the life of Joe Louis. Harris also had leading roles in Oscar Micheaux films, Lying Lips (1939), and The Notorious Elinor Lee (1940). Her film credits also include such Hollywood films as Bullets or Ballots (1936), Private Number (1936), and Garden of Allah (1936), and the independent film Paradise in Harlem in 1939. Between picture commitments she toured with Noble Sissle's Orchestra as a featured vocalist along with Lena Horne and Billy Banks. In 1942, she played fourteen weeks at the old Elks' Rendezvous as the mistress of ceremonies and announced a weekly radio show over station WMCA in New York City. She also did character dialect parts on many broadcasts for the Columbia Workshop Program. Edna Mae Harris got to tell her story in her later years in the documentary, Midnight Ramble (1994), about independently produced black films.

Harris was married twice and had no children. Her first marriage was to Edward Randolph from 1933 until 1938, then to Harlem nightclub owner Walter Anderson from 1951 until his death in 1983. Harris dated boxer Joe Louis sometime during 1939 and 1940. Harris dated Robert Paquin, who co-starred with her in the Lying Lips from 1941 until 1942. Harris died of a heart attack on September 15, 1997 at the age of 82.

#black literature #black tumblr #black excellence #black community #civil rights #black girl magic #blackexcellence365 #beautiful #strong black woman

[bidotorg]

Congrats, @NiecyNash! AND WHAT A BICONIC SPEECH! 👏👏👏 https://bi.org/en/famous/niecy-nash

#lgbt #queer #bisexuality #bi #lgbtq #lgbtqia #bi pride #bivisibility #bi visibility #representationmatters #niecy nash #emmys 2024 #emmys #emmy awards #events #strong women #strong black woman #black woman #black girl magic #emmy winner #dahmer netflix #dahmer series

[itellmyselfsecrets]

“When feminists acknowledge in one breath that black women are victimized and in the same breath emphasize their strength, they imply that though black women are oppressed they manage to circumvent the damaging impact of oppression by being strong…Usually, when people talk about the “strength“ of black women they are referring to the way in which they perceive black women coping with oppression. They ignore the reality that to be strong in the face of oppression is not the same as overcoming oppression…The tendency to romanticize the black female experience that began in the feminist movement was reflected in the culture as a whole. The stereotypical image of the “strong“ black woman was no longer seen as dehumanizing, it became the new badge of black female glory…Black women were told that we should find our dignity not in liberation from sexist oppression but in how well we could adjust, adapt, and cope…No one bothered to discuss the way in which sexism operates both independently and simultaneously with racism to oppress us…The stereotypical image of the black woman as strong and powerful so dominates the consciousness of most Americans that even if a black woman is clearly conforming to sexist notions of femininity and passivity she may be characterized as tough, domineering, and strong.” - bell hooks (ain’t I a woman: black women and feminism)

#bell hooks #ain’t I a woman: black women and feminism #black womanhood #Misogynoir #white feminism #dibs #racial stereotypes #strong black woman #racism #liberal feminism #feminism #black feminist thought #black feminist theory

[brownskinlvr]

#black fit women #not mine #black woman #black fitblr #melanin #lean body #those thighs #strong black woman

[nwonkunknown]

Tongue 👅 out guns 💪🏾 out

#love #melanin #black beauty #black women #melanin queen #thoughts #i love me #blackgirlmagic #blue is the warmest color #black tumblr #strong black woman #depressing thoughts #heartbreak #beautiful #black queen #heartache #i love you #xoxo <3 #explore page #explore #blackbutterfly #black belle

[pinkieloveheartpastel]

tw: antiblackness, internalized misogynoir, death mention:

•

•

•

Nothing pisses me off more than a black person encouraging harmful stereotypes of black people.

I will never forget having to educate an (older at that) black woman online because she insisted (while being a piece of shit and saying all kinds of insulting shit towards feminine black women) that black women couldn’t be soft and dainty and vulnerable, that we had to be tough and strong and basically feel nothing.

I told her that this does not help whatsoever because this is the kind of mindset that gets black people in hospitals KILLED. Not to mention this kind of mindset is misogynoir 101. Thinking that black people can’t be complex and diverse. There is still this idea that black people are so strong that they can’t feel pain, which, of course, goes right back to SLAVERY!!!!

Of course she didn’t want to listen. I just ended it there, but this is a perfect example of black people hurting other black people. Just because you are black doesn’t mean you can’t perpetuate antiblackness. Everyone needs to do their part in changing shit for the better. Everyone.

Stop this. This pains me so much. Get rid of the Strong Black Woman trope for good and please, I beg you, have some fucking sense. I do not want to sit here educating someone who should already know what it’s like to be black out here in this world. Black people continue to lose their life because of this ignorant shit.

I’ve said this before, and I will continue to say this. I don’t care how many times I’ve said it, I will say it until I’m blue in the face.

#antiblackness. #strong black woman #racial stereotyping #harmful tropes #character tropes #misogynoir #death mention tw #internalized misogynoir

[scorpionextdooor]

#regina king #black tumblr #my uploads #black beauty #black entertainment #black woman #black actress #oscar winner #strong black woman #braids

[academicelephant]

Miss Goodwin is such a good friend. And a leader. And a person.

#one chicago #chicago med #s11e21 #miss goodwin #sharon goodwin #strong black woman #i love her #platonically of course

[writingwithcolor]

Writing a Black mermaid struggling with Insecurities and comforted by white Character

@magpie345ab1 asked:

Hello! First of all I want to thank you all for this blog, it’s a great resource and really amazing work.  

My question is about a story idea I have.  It is a side story adjacent to the main story meant to flesh out one of my side characters.  She is a fat black sixteen year old mermaid.  Her personality is very timid, anxious, easily flustered, contemplative, and empathic.  Her backstory is she struggled to find a friend group in school and was picked on (not racially based and bullies were various races), so she’s unsure of herself.  She is also just naturally jumpy.  As time has passed, she’s become friends with the main characters of the main story and the other side characters, so she has a very vast friend group now.  She’s the glue that keeps the group together, as she’s a very good listener and kind soul, and has helped on a few prior adventures.  She just struggles to get out of her own head and see how helpful she truly is.  She gets just as much out of the relationship as well, as they respectfully help her out of her comfort zone and support and love her.  She also loves doing hair (her mother owns a salon), painting, and watching Tiktok. The setting is in a fantasy realm adjacent to the modern world, so while there are modern references and technologies in some places, real-world oppression isn’t really present, and any that is is looked down upon and addressed.  The world is where Imaginations live, and the black mermaid is one of many imaginary friends of the white MC of my main story, so she has a strong but somewhat distant connection with her. 

The story I have so far is there is a villain kidnapping mermaids and mind controlling them to make an army to take over the sea.  The black mermaid is roped in to helping the usually main characters and other side characters into helping, but is reluctant about joining due to her insecurities.  She looks up to the others (ranging in races/ethnicities from white, Iranian American Jewish, Burmese Hawaiian, and biracial white/Puerto Rican) as they have accomplished pretty amazing feats, but especially the white MC, and she struggles feeling inferior.  Throughout the story, she continues to second guess herself, seeing herself as a side character and nothing more, and is comforted by her BFF/crush who is the biracial Puerto Rican.  Before the climax the group except for the mermaid and the white MC are captured, and the mermaid has a breakdown expressing her insecurities.  The white MC consoles her, explaining she is just as much a hero as everyone else in the group even with her more subtle and quiet personality, and that she struggles with fear just as much.  This is meant to be a strong bonding moment between the two, and it motivates the mermaid enough to take on the villain and she defeats him.  In the end she happily reunites with the group, and finally kisses her crush.  The story would end with her and her now boyfriend hanging out together, with him calling her beautiful just the way she is.  

The theme of the story is supposed to be that anyone can be the hero, no matter who they are, and that it is okay to be afraid in a scary situation and still overcome it.  I also struggle with anxiety similar to the one the character experiences and wanted to write based on that, but I am also white.  I wanted to know if I was falling into any stereotypes unknowingly, specifically if I’m falling into the Strong Black Female or the White Savior.  I don’t want it to seem like the other characters are forcing her to suck it up, rather they just genuinely want her help because she’s the only mermaid in the group.  Thank you all again for reading and helping!

I’m not sure if I clearly understand your universe but from what I got, your Black character has a quiet and soft personality which is pretty appreciable. The Strong Black Female cliché generally depicts Black girls/women as tough, emotionless beings, so going for a more calm and anxious personality is a great representation for that demographic. That cliché goes hand in hand with the assumption that Black girls/women who aren’t loud, extroverts and funny can only be mean. Quiet and shy Black girls are often perceived as contemptuous or aggressive (oh, how many times I heard that one when I was just *not talking*). I really appreciate you going deeper into her personality to show how her anxiety shapes her. Moreover, I consider it interesting to have other visions of what heroism means; you don’t need to be a loud fighter kicking ass to be a hero.

In order not to fall into the White savior trope, she has to be essential to defeat the villain. More generally, your White MC needs a balanced relationship with her : he gives her as much as she gives him. Since you said she glues the group together, it looks like you should be fine with her. Based on that, I think you should succeed in writing it correctly.

- Mod Lydie

Please see Mod Lydie’s great advice above! 

I’d also like to add that you should be mindful of any mammy and sacrificial stereotypes as well. 

Particularly with her being described as:

Helpful

The glue that keeps the group together

The one who steps up to defeat the hero

A helpful hand and motherly presence can easily slide into someone that puts everyone else first and doesn't have her own affairs minded. I’m not too concerned about you stirring into this territory, as you say “She gets just as much out of the relationship as well, as they respectfully help her out of her comfort zone and support and love her” which indicates she has strong mutual love in her relationships. The best friend / future romantic interest helps as well.

All and all, I’d say fully embrace this character! It’s really nice to see soft, quiet depictions of Black girls too.

~Mod Colette

#Black #Black women #Strong Black woman #white savior #Black tropes #Black stereotypes #mammy

[pinkomcranger]

Stubled upon your post about saga and it was a very interesting read. I have to say that i havent noticed mich racism, but thats mostly becuse i started avoiding gamming websites when the release date came.

I saw a few ppl on Reddit angry about the "white asshole" line. That line is weird but it makes sense in context. Shes at her absolute lowest, unable to resurface back and fight againts her self doubts. Shes spiraling! And alan did put her in there, kind of. While we can see in their interactions that she doesnt hate him or anything, her feelings of anger and sadness take over, making her lash out as someone rven though she knows its not really his fault. And as some said, it reflects racism of the real world and tells us soemthing about saga - that she experienced this kind of feeling before, implying greater history. And idk, just feels that it makes sense for a black charscter to agnowladge these issues.

i could be rambling but im typing this out on my phone, whoops!

The gaming bros were definitely the worst offenders of it, so you were smart to ignore the gaming websites. It's why I had such high hopes for tumblr and AO3 because I thought for sure Saga would be the most popular new character. Sucks that I was wrong.

The "another white asshole telling me what to do" line CAN seem out of left field, but at the same time, perfectly fits the narrative. Because up to that point, nobody was telling her what to do. The only person who could have immediately took himself out of that position.

At the point the line was uttered, she was at her lowest, like you said and it was evident she had been in that position before. It gave us another character trait in Saga and another hint at her backstory. Alan tried to play God with her life, however unintentionally and Saga had every right to be angry at him.

The fact that she DIDN'T hate him says so much about her, and it's all wonderful. She chose to forgive him. As a black woman, it made sense to reflect on that, however brief the moment was, and I appreciated it.

#alan wake 2 #saga anderson #alan wake #ask #my thoughts #strong black woman #I almost feel like I'm repeating myself #but I just want my thoughts to come across clearly #Saga deserves all of the love

[kingstonjael]

#blackgirlswhoblog #love #blackgirlmagic #strong black woman #black love #serenity #black writers #black beauty #saturday morning #ex factor #intimacy #cigarettes after sex

[mimi-0007]

#kathleen cleaver #angela davis #elaine brown #assata shakur #black history #black history is american history #black tumblr #civil rights #black literature #black excellence #civil rights movement #black community #black girl magic #strong black woman #strong black women #black power #strong

[itsericamichelle]

So many things happening, where to begin? First attack of the exes I've had 3 exes in the past month attempt to come back (didn't happen). An uncle died, an uncle dying (less than 4 months to live). A close friend diagnosed with bone cancer. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to handle all of this but I'm trudging through as usual.

I traveled back home to spend time with my sick family and friends and it's been trying. I'm physically tired, emotionally exhausted, and mentally spent with a week left in this trip.

I just want to crawl up in a quiet corner with a good book and shut down. Reading uninterrupted for hours on end would be my salvation right now. I don't want to deal with any of this. I've had so many conversations about death that my joy has been drained. I'm fully aware this is my fault but i can't show the emotion people need to see to leave me alone for a while and process. If you're stoic and visibly unemotional the belief is that you're not really affected. I can do funny or serious but not emotional so I'm labeled strong and am relied upon to have the hard conversations all the time.

I'm tired!

#black365 #grief #unemotional #strong #strong black woman