On the need for Black(only)Ass spaces in 2019
Welcome to the 39th installment of This Black-Ass Life! Inspired by King Bey’s HOMECOMING, we talk about why we still need Black-only spaces in 2019 and the difference between those and segregationist White spaces. We also share how you can support HBCU’s and have a 🤠 follow-up.
Don’t forget: We've managed to grow this list thanks to y'all forwarding to friends so please keep it up! Forward this link to subscribe to five friends. And send us topics you'd like to see covered, texts from your Black-ass people, and any Black-ass anything from around the world and web.
l. The Facts
Even if it makes some White folks salty, we need Black-only spaces because patterns of the White dominant culture permeate ALL integrated spaces.
As one researcher puts it, “the values of whiteness are the water in which we all swim.” To survive at work or at school or even on the street, Black people have learned that we oftentimes have to hold our tongue, “code switch.” and physically and mentally contort ourselves to fit into the dominant culture.
Those who believe that Black-only spaces are segregationist lack a basic understanding of what segregation, an institution that was part of a system of oppression designed by White people dismantled following Brown v. Board and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, was.
Institutionalized segregation laid ground for the current systemic racist society that we currently live in that makes it harder for Black people to find jobs, secure housing, receive adequate healthcare, get legal support, be human and just generally exist/breathe.
When we create Black-only spaces, we are physically removing ourselves not as an act of oppression against White people (🙄), but to temporarily shield ourselves so we can go back into the world more resilient to deal with racist bullshit.
Knowing this, White people are still trying to force themselves into these spaces or create racist White-only spaces in angry response. In 2017, some White Parisians were so upset by an intersectional Black feminist gathering that they tried to get the mayor to ban the conference. Then there was this dummy, this stupid idea, and on and on. #TheCaucasity.
Why does it matter?
We get to experience the comfort of The Nod™ for an extended period of time. Black-only spaces are where we can process, grieve, decompress, love on, care for, laugh with and hold one another in a world where our humanity is continuously and constantly challenged.
Don’t get it twisted, Black-only spaces also come with their own problems - here’s our newsletter on straight, cis Black men needing to shape up or ship out! - but they are our first chance to actually exhale and be our authentic selves.
We’re not telling you anything you don’t know, but it bears repeating: We’re tired! Again, lots of us work, go to school and/or exist in predominantly White spaces and we have to do double work of our assigned tasks AND dealing with nonsense.
Think of how many times we’ve had to check our own behavior so we’re not perceived as threatening or aggressive. Even Joy-Ann and her sister have to deal with this and White liberals love her!
What can my Black ass do?
There’s a growing movement of Black-only spaces. Find one in a city near you!
Here’s a national and almost comprehensive list of Black coworking spaces.
Get informed! HBCU’s produce high graduation rates, high grad school matriculation rates, and high career-entry rates but they are struggling.
From mentoring incoming students to donating to the United Negro College Fund, here’s how you can support HBCU’s.
ll. Other Things
Thankful we live in the same era as Bey.
A follow up to the Yee Haw Agenda: What Everyone Is Getting Wrong About the 'Yee Haw Agenda,' According to Bri Malandro, the Woman Who Coined the Term.
HOMECOMING made me (Mitu) cry repeatedly and also workshop my dancing. We were also blessed with a major surprise, read: 6 Ways Beyoncé's Cover of 'Before I Let Go' From Homecoming: The Live Album Just Changed the Game.
Queen Bey also hosted a Homecoming event for students at Grambling State.
Love this anger-translated statement from Howard University on gentrifiers wanting to move the campus so their dogs can poop on the Yard.
Few people are as FINE as Teyana Taylor, who brought Soul Train to her Ellen Show performance.
Get into Lizzo if you haven’t already. This performance and Cuz I Love You is everything.
Remember when we said Hollywood loves a Black woman-White male supremacist love story? Well so did Ancestry.com until they were shamed into taking their ad down!
Our Black-Ass song of the week (Jumoke):
Y’all, my little sister told me this weekend that she thinks that “Mariah Carey is just okay.” In the words of a living legend, “irregardless of what transpired it ain't even worthy of a slick reply.” A No No.
Things we are looking forward to / things we are not looking forward to:
I (Mitu) look forward to watching HOMECOMING at least 4 more times this week. I can’t get enough of Blue Ivy’s leadership skills - I’m learning so much.
I (Jumoke) look forward to slowly but surely turning my home into a plastic-free zone. Happy Earth Day!
lll. Text from a Black-Ass Mama
I (Jumoke) just want to bless you the way my mama be blessing me. May you be guided and guarded!
Stay Black, thrive, always think “What Would Blue Ivy Want Me To Do?” and we’ll hit your inbox next on May 6.