The deeply misunderstood yet highly regarded civil rights activist Malcolm X once said “The most disrespected Black person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.” Although this quote is about fifty years my senior, I sadly find Mr. X’s sentiment still brings truth. Every day, both virtually and in reality, Black girls and women are ridiculed, abused, and left forgotten. This is repeatedly evident in schools, workplaces and even social media. Even in the healthcare industry, Black women are abandoned. The Black maternal mortality rate is seldom discussed,​ with Black women 2 to 6 times more likely to die from complications of pregnancy than white women​ (​American Medical Association, 1999)​. In the media, the brutal killings of unarmed Black men are broadcasted and rightfully reported, yet the homicides of unarmed Black women go unheard and typically are underreported. After all, marches are not organized and change is not encouraged for the deaths of Black women despite Black women being killed at a disproportionate rate compared to other races. America shows little to no care for the well-being of Black women. In a country we helped build, a country our culture so heavily influences, the young Black girl is mistreated, neglected and her issues are disregarded.

The Oversexualization of Black Girls-

Dear Neglected Young Black Girl,
The essence of your beauty does not strictly lie in the nakedness of your body.

As a young Black girl growing up in America, a country that is apathetic towards Black women, to shed light on issues facing Black girls is all too important. One briefly tackled issue is the oversexualization of young Black girls. Dating back to times of slavery and the exhibited freak-show attraction of Sarah Baartman, the Black woman has been extremely sexualized. Unfortunately, this proves even more relevant in today’s current culture. Take for example the controversial yet catchy rap song “WAP” by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. The rap song promotes sex and while adults may listen, kids, precisely young Black girls, see these visuals and absorb these lyrics and sexual culture. However the problem lies not in the song but the pushed promotion of Black girl’s extreme sexuality. In society, Black girls are seen as sexual objects, not as humans with emotions. Black girls are considered adults at a much quicker pace than white girls. According to a report from the Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequality, ​compared with young white girls, individuals believe young Black girls need less nurturing, protection, support, and comfort. Young Black girls are seen as more independent and participants think they know more about mature topics, including sex. Of course, this can be blamed on multiple matters such as rap culture as well as society as a whole. Yet accountability must be taken upon ourselves as members of the Black community. When was the last time you described a young Black girl as “fast”? When was the last time you deemed a young Black girl as a “Jezebel” because of how the clothes fit her curvaceous body? To attempt to solve the issue of oversexualtion, change must start within our community. What we consume and what we allow our young Black girls to consume must change. How we view Black girls as well as the adult responsibilities imposed on young Black girls must change. Only when these adjustments are made can we allow young Black girls to completely enjoy their childhood and avoid the rush into adulthood.

The Mockery of Black Girls

Dear Neglected Young Black Girl,
As a young Black girl sometimes ridicule is inevitable. Don’t let the constant jokes bring you down, they are just jealous of the unachievable beauty, intelligence and character you possess.

It is no secret that Black women are made a mockery of in the media. Comedians such as Martin Lawrence and Jamie Foxx crossdress as Black women and attempt to imitate our actions for a cheap laugh. On Twitter, insensitive memes about the death of Breonna Taylor were posted. Even so, the teasing does not end offline. Millions of Black girls can share stories of torment faced because of the shade of their skin. Even Black boys, those who share the same melanin as the Black girls teased, participated in bullying and abuse of young Black girls. Everywhere you turn, both Black girls and Black women are persecuted. Tackling the issue of Black women’s mockery may seem easy, simply don’t make fun of other people. However, with the deep history of ridiculing the Black woman, the issue becomes challenging. To mock Black women is so ingrained in society, it is normalized to laugh at a Black woman’s pain. When rap star Megan Thee Stallion was shot, memes and laughter were shared across social media despite the seriousness of the situation.​ ​Not only was a sense of ​misogynoir(the misogyny directed towards Black women) shared but transphobia was displayed as well. This opens a larger issue on the discrimination and encouragement of murder for Black transgender women. Megan’s situation also transcends to the matter of the masculinization of Black women and the believed lack of ability for Black women to feel pain. Yet I digress.

The mockery of Megan Thee Stallion’s shooting offered confirmation that we as Black girls and women truly have no one but ourselves. Even Black men, including rapper 50 Cent, poked fun at Megan’s shooting. In times of bullying and abuse, we Black girls and women must heal, defend, and protect each other. Although it may seem impossible to stop jokes at the dispense of Black girls, it is essential for us, as Black girls, to watch over and speak up for each other. As Black women and Black girls, we must hold others accountable and look out for each other’s best interest. We truly only have one another to rely on.

The Increased Suicide Rate Among Black & African-American Adolescents-

Dear Neglected Young Black Girl,
You got this, don’t give up on yourself or your life. Plenty have experienced your pain and plenty have yet to arrive. This wonderful life as a Black girl was graciously placed upon you, do not take it for granted.

The increased suicide rate among African American adolescents was a topic briefly discussed in late 2019. Big news outlets across the country reported on the alarming rates of suicide among Black youths, but primarily focused on Black boys and their adolescence. In 2015, The New York Times uploaded two videos: “A Conversation With My Black Son” & “A Conversation About Growing Up Black”. Once again the focus was on Black boys, furthering the erasure of young Black girls. The issue is not the discussion of Black boys. The issue is the exclusion of Black girls from stories. This is not only a case in reported stories but cinematically as well. Black girls are excluded from casting or replaced with a lighter-skinned or mixed-race actress(i.e.the lighter-skinned replacement of Claire on My Wife & Kids). With a combination of everything currently occurring in our world off and on the television screen, Black girls are attempting suicide at an extreme rate. Although a 2014 study found African-American females to have the lowest suicide rate among men and women of all ethnicities (American Association of Suicidology), that does not excuse the lack of care for Black girls and women. Just because Black women do not account for the increased suicide rate does not mean mental illness is not suffered. While Black women do not turn to suicide due to multiple factors such as motherhood, religion, and the fear of disappointment, Black girls and women continue to weaken mentally in silence.

Due to the increase in plans, thoughts, and attempts of suicide among ​Black and African American girls, there is no greater time than now for our community to begin to healing. Now more than ever, it is important to reach out to your daughters, nieces, granddaughters, and cousins and ask about their emotions, and thoughts.

In a country and world that despises the Black women and displays a lack of care for young Black girls, we as Black girls need to know someone out there still supports, loves and cares for us as much as we love and care for others.