Black Women Reflection Paper

Throughout this semester, we have learned a lot about the black experience, black Christ, and the struggles African Americans have faced throughout history and in today’s society. During the semester I wonder why black women were not talked about very much. I questioned why these authors did not think they were very important to be discussed. Like black men, black women also struggled, perhaps had more of a struggle than black men did. So why was there a failure to acknowledge black women?
Women in general have never been treated the same as men. I especially feel that black women have a disadvantage in the world today. As Douglas would say, being black and also being a woman, you are in “double jeopardy.” But then “black women began to recognize that it was not just within secular organization and within the Black community in general that they were discriminated against. It was also in the Black church.” So now black women are facing “triple jeopardy.” An example of the Black church not recognizing women is that they do not allow Black women to be ordained. To me, I feel that the church should be the most understand of the struggle women have faced over the years. The church should be the place where everyone comes together for the good of everyone. Unfortunately since racism still exists in our communities today, churches should accept anyone and everyone. No one should be left out just because of their gender.
Along with the exception of women’s full ordination, the issue that has caused the most drama in the Black church is that of sexuality. Douglas most talks about the rising epidemic of AIDS in the Black community. But to me, there is more to sexuality than AIDS. Heterosexual Black women are still deemed sexually devia...

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...t. The more celebrities, not just in the United States, but all around the world that deny their racial heritage in the way they alter their appearance, the more desperate young women will keep using the often untested and damaging skin-lightening creams sold in beauty shops.
In conclusion, the truth is that though things are slowly changing for the better, skin still matters and, on the whole, the world believes it is better not to be dark. We have come so far in American history to get where we are today, but it is still not enough. Until the day where blacks and whites, men and women, have equal rights in every aspect of society, we will be a nation divided. Something has to give. Someone needs to stand up and let young girls know that they are beautiful no matter what their skin color is. I pray that there is day when equal rights is what society strives for.