Depression and anxiety plague so many women in the black community. Black women are more likely to be depressed and anxious, yet the group that is the least likely to seek.
Click here to check out my article about black women and depression.
Well, Solange validated our situation and beautifully articulated feelings that have evaded clarity for so long. There are many ways this song could be interpreted, as it is a song that is so deeply personal, yet so all-embracing. It spoke to my situation. It spoke to how so many black women feel every single day. It spoke to my journey and the things that we often do in an attempt to recover from pain. She discusses how we excessively shop, change our appearance and let go of relationships all in the search of normalcy and peace.
“I ran my credit card bill up, thought a new dress would make it better. I tried to work it away, but that just made me even sadder. I tried to keep myself busy, I ran around in circles, think I made myself dizzy.” -Solange 'Cranes in the Sky'
The first time I listened to the song, I cried. Depression and anxiety is buoyant in nature. The more you try to push it away, the more you try to suppress it, the quicker it will rise back to the surface. She speaks to this. All of her attempts in suppressing her feelings with extraneous activities were seemingly unsuccessful, as were mine. My reliance on God was, and will always be my first line of defense, but I am not ashamed to admit I have fallen short many times in standing firm in my faith. God is still working on me, and I trust Him more every single day.
As I listen to this song now (literally), I am smiling. It feels good to know that someone like Solange, who seemingly has everything in the world, can relate to someone like me. She eloquently gave me some hope and peace.
