Have you ever posted something on social media with specific and honorable intentions, only to see it be twisted into something totally unrecognizable? Verbal sparring matches, hurt feelings, and deleted comments follow in short order? That is what happened to a friend of mine a few months ago…

Original Facebook post that was shared:

“BLACK MEN what’s your favorite (non-physical) thing about black women?”

Some replies on the original post:

“#notQualified…”

 

“While we’re asking, I’m curious… White men, what’s your favorite (non-physical) thing about a white woman? (Laughing/crying emoji, eyeball emoji)”

 

“I’d like to point out, if a white guy posted a thread that said “WHITE MEN, what’s your favorite (non-physical) thing about white women?” And then white men and white women proceeded to chastise men of other races who dared to comment, it would be called white supremacy.”

But when it’s done that way here, and it’s not racism or esteeming on (one) ethnicity over another. So…..maybe that’s why there’s pushback?”

The above replies (among many others) were posted in the comments when a black male friend of mine made the Facebook post quoted above.

To be fair several black men came through with some winsome comments.

All of the comments were supposed to be a flood of encouraging words that would wash over the black women who would happen upon the post.

Instead, the post became a battle zone where grenades were being lobbed in the comments. Every positive comment was overshadowed by a deluge of sarcasm and negative rapid fire replies.

If asked to recall what I remember about what was said from memory, I only remember the negative sentiments, and how it hurt me, and my friends.

The intent of the post was totally derailed.

After my friend did a subsequent post explaining why he made the initial request, some folks apologized, others doubled down.

In the end, all of my black women friends, who saw the backlash, were dumbfounded and amazed that something so positive could be jaded so easily. The number of people who responded negatively to encouraging black women openly, was ironic. Many argued the encouragement did not need to be specified as only for “black women.” Yet, all of the detracting comments proved otherwise.

My friend’s post backfired, but it is what inspired the poem below. I hope and pray that black women will be encouraged by what I wrote.

We’re Still Here

Our skin is intentional


Our hair is tangential


You see the gloriousness


You are not colorblind


God made us presactly


The way we are


And He said… what He said


When He said let there be


And there was


And it twas good


No changes no do overs


Just unconditional love


Justification


Sanctification


Glorification


We are redeemed, significant, and clothed with dignity.





We’re still here


Gospel fueled intentionality


Is where we live


Black women are pure heart and soul


We suffer and survive


We bear up and bear down


Cross carrying


Caregiving


One liner leveling


Day to day living


Black man loving


Necessary helpers


Black women are pure black gold



 

We could be as strong as you think


Yet we are weak, wrapped in this flesh


We need comfort


We need help


We need love and support


Like everyone else


Don’t take our willingness for whatever


For granted


Granted we are always down


Literally and figuratively


We place our hope in Jesus


And God’s church is our home


We’re not there to serve


With no reciprocity


We just struggle at times


With expressing our need


To call in the debt


Of a “love one another verse”


Need some sympathy, empathy


To simply be heard and understood


We are not just our hair


Or just our hood


Black women are royalty.



 

Loyalty is where we live


Grace is our love language


Though we are not welcome


In all circles


Everyone is welcome


In our hearts


We’re hard pressed


Perplexed but not beat down


Misconstrued but not destitute


Societal whipping posts


Exhorters at heart


Whether quiet or exuberant


We are thrilled to do our part


Complicated and easily criticized


Folks don’t hesitate to pull the trigger


Cutting off our life


Removing our dignity


Complicity, silence, and neutrality


Are bosom buddies


We’re used to the cop out


And we expect it


That’s why we still love you


Even when you give into it


The path of least resistance


Is alluring and comfortable


But Black women are resilient!



 

Everyone…seems like everyone


Is always trying to wilt our flowers


Yet, He has made us significant


Worthy of honor


And valuable


Visible, not invisible

Theological and artistic giants


Worshippers of the Almighty


By whatever medium


Or gift that is stirred up


Our roots are planted deep


On a firm Foundation


On Christ the solid Rock we stand


ALL other ground is sinking sand


The Lord keeps us lifted by love


It is truly well with our souls


Our wonderful, merciful Savior


Paid it all


And the Love of God will always be greater


Than tongue or pen could ever tell


Black women love and worship the Lord

 



He knitted us together


He providentially weaved our place in history


He has kept us


He created us


Again…exactly how we are…


He has wiped every tear


Every piece of virtue


Taken against our wills


He has restored what the locusts ate


Imperfect but deeply loved by God


Like all the other saints


And no amount of silencing

Suffering


Bad treatment


Dismissiveness


Censorship


Or head patting


Will change an immutable God’s posture


Towards His beloved


Black Christian women are a part of God’s beloved.


We’re still here.


By: KCN