Black Women and Black Girls T-shirts, Hoodies and Clothing

The most powerful Black Women and Black Girls T-shirts and Hoodies!

For the Black Queens who are proud of their Black identity and of their beauty

In workplaces, college, and professional school settings around the country, Black women often find themselves the only one or the first one. In these situations, they have been taught that they have to be twice as good to go half as far, that they are representing the race, and that they are being watched more closely than their white counterparts, beliefs that are not necessarily inaccurate. These beliefs, coupled with the Strong Black Woman image, increase the risk for social anxiety. 

What they were really describing was this idea of being strong black women and feeling the need to prepare for the racial discrimination they expect on a daily basis, and that preparation and anticipation adds to their overall stress burden. The superwoman schema includes five elements: feeling an obligation to present an image of strength, feeling an obligation to suppress emotions, resistance to being vulnerable, a drive to succeed despite limited resources, and feeling an obligation to help others. The problem is not that women need to learn to cope better with racial discrimination; the problem is racial discrimination itself and the need for interventions intended to address racial discrimination as experienced in the workplace, by police, and in society at large.

Black women’s work is vital to the success of their families, their communities, and the overall economy, yet Black women are confronted by unique workplace and societal barriers that undermine their ability to thrive. Disparities in Black women’s wages stem from a mix of interconnected factors, including the devaluing of the work that Black women do, the prevalence of entrenched biases rooted in race and gender bias, perceptions about the relative importance of certain types of work, occupational segregation, resistance to structural change, and more. To be effective, equal pay measures must focus on pursuing new strategies and reforms that acknowledge and tackle these problems head-on. Black women deserve more than one day of recognition for the pay gap. They deserve concrete action steps that prioritize fair pay and economic stability for themselves and their families. Equal pay for Black women is long overdue—and it cannot afford another year’s wait.

If you can’t get along with other Black women, you just might be the problem.

Although the media frequently displays Black female relationships as dysfunctional and problematic, the truth is that Black women are all we’ve got, and Black female friendships have the potential to be some of the deepest friendships you’ll ever develop. Black women share a unique experience in this world since we’re the only ones who understand the special intersection of femininity and womanhood and Blackness. 

Black women aren’t invincible, so seek help if your mental health is suffering.

Many Black women feel down and depressed, and clearly, it’s happening on a more regular basis than we know. Why wouldn’t we? From high rates of death during childbirth to the rates of domestic violence in the Black community and the low pay that Black women receive compared to our white, male counterparts—the world is truly not the most accommodating place for Black women. 

And to make it worse, well-meaning loved ones often respond to any mention of sadness with the phrase: “leave it to Jesus, he will take your pain away.” This line of thought is so dangerous because it implies that religion can fix your depression, which is—might I remind you—a mental illness that often needs professional treatment. Seeking help from a doctor or psychologist doesn’t make you a lesser Christian or even a weak person. In fact, it’s actually a sign of strength, so don’t be afraid to seek support and help if you need it.

It’s OK to feel beautiful, even if you don’t live up to the media’s idea of beauty.

You get to feel beautiful. Yes, you—even if your skin isn’t fair and your nose isn’t button-shaped, and your hair isn’t straight and smooth. And you’re not beautiful in spite of your features, but you’re beautiful because of them. While typical Bantu features aren’t appreciated in society and in the media often, that doesn’t mean you should feel down on yourself or even think about getting surgery to change your features.

Your health and wellness are precious, so take every precaution to keep it.

Black women are struggling with obesity. You can see the centuries of slavery we’ve endured on our bodies. From our high cholesterol and blood pressure rates to the higher risk of breast cancer and diabetes, it’s important to be extra vigilant about our health. If you can afford it, don’t skip your regular visits to the doctor. Go for screenings and mammograms every year. Maintain a healthy diet and implement regular exercise into your daily routine. Not only will your body thank you, but your mind will too.

Imposter syndrome is a liar; you deserve every bit of success you have and more.

Imposter syndrome is the feeling of being undeserving of your success and the achievements you’ve made and why do Black women feel this in our professional lives. In fact, imposter syndrome is more commonly found in women, Black people, and other non-white racial groups. There’s a feeling of being an imposter that overcomes us when we step into spaces traditionally held by white men. Even so, you can’t let imposter syndrome win and convince you out of seeking positions and promotion that allows you to shine.

Remember that you are every bit deserving of the success that you’ve achieved and that you deserve to reach the highest heights. As a collective of Black women, there is need to begin to feel deserving of and to demand better and more regular promotion of beauty and worth and value as women in the media. Black women need to value themselves in everything they do so that they can be the best, happiest, and healthiest versions of themselves.