Hey girl,

I know what you're going through. I know how hard it is being the most unprotected group and least valued group in the world.

I know how hard it is to be judged on your looks based on Eurocentric beauty standards.I want to remind you that you are beautiful no matter what. Whether you are dark skin, brown skin, light skin, whatever, you are gorgeous, so keep your head up baby girl.

I know it is hard being judged solely on your hair.You can't wear too many weaves because then you are conforming to societal pressures. You can't wear your natural hair because it is harder to get jobs and people assume you are a militant, self righteous, activist. Remember that no matter what you do people are going to judge you regardless. I am here to encourage you to wear your afro and your dreads. Rock your protective styles until you can't anymore. Box braids, marley twist, and faux locs never hurt anyone. You are more of a weave girl? Well honey wear your wigs or get a sew-in. Whatever you do just remember to protect your edges!

I know it is hard to be judged just because you are laughing loudly.Black women are prosecuted for everything they do. Sitting in a restaurant and laughing with your friends can get you called ghetto, can make people stare, and a lot of other unnecessary treatment. Well stay strong and remember you have to do what is best for you.

I know it is hard having to bear the Angry Black Girl Narrative.When we are too passionate we are angry. When we are assertive we are angry. When we are competitive we are angry. When we defend ourselves we are angry. When we voice the injustices that we suffer we are angry. When we aren't comfortable talking to people because we have social anxiety, we are angry. When fight against misogyny we are angry. When we speak out against cultural appropriation we are angry. I know it is time to kill the angry black girl narrative, but for some reason it won't die. Personally, I think we should the narrative to being Unfriendly Black Hotties. It has a great ring to it and if it keeps small minded people away from us we will benefit from it.

I know it is hard being valued on the shape of your body.Black women have been hypersexualized ever since we were stolen from the motherland. Remember that black women are more than big butts and large breast. We come in all shapes and sizes. We are beautiful no matter what size or shape.

I know it is hard being made fun of for your African features while other women get praised for them.Growing up with a big nose and big lips always made you a target on the play ground. But when other women pay for big butts, big breast, and bigger lips they are praised.

I know it is hard to have your culture appropriated and your style ripped off.When we do something it is ghetto or ratchet, but when someone, anyone, else does it they are a trendsetter.

I know it's hard being ridiculed by your own men.For some reason a percentage of black men have began to only value white women, hispanic women, and mixed women. It is easy for them to love and value the variant, but not the source. I don't know why this has happened. It feels as though black men have helped white men stand on our necks while white women stand our backs.

I know how hard it is to be left behind by black men and white women.People often for get the intersectionality of racism and sexism. It seems as though black men forget that the Black Lives Matter is for black women too. We also suffer from the threat of racism and police brutality. While we are left behind by white women in feminism although we suffer the same injustices as they do, if not more. Stand strong against misogynoir.

From One Black Girl To Another,

Be Strong.