Mama Knows It All

  • Home
  • Meet Brandi
    • Contact Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Moms
    • Pregnancy & Baby
    • Motherhood
    • Inspiration
    • Health
    • Fashion and Beauty
  • Kids
    • Daughters
    • Pre-K and Elementary School
    • Books and Toys
  • Family
    • California Fun
    • Marriage
      • Newlywed Life
      • Wedding Planning
  • DIY
    • Recipes
    • Crafts
You are here: Home / Daughters / This is How to Show Up for Black Girls

April 24, 2021 By brandijeter Leave a Comment

This is How to Show Up for Black Girls

Filed Under: Daughters

0 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

show up for black girls

On April 20, 2021, police shot and killed Ma’Khia Bryant in Columbus, Ohio. While some folks are debating whether the shooting was justified or not, others like myself are thinking about how we can do a better job of showing up and protecting Black girls.

It’s no secret that Black girls are disproportionately mistreated compared to other girls. Girlhood Interrupted, a study by the Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequality found that adults view Black girls as more adult-like and less innocent than white girls.

They also discovered that adults think Black girls as young as 5 need less protection and nurturing than their white peers.

So what do we do with this information? How do give Black girls the childhood that their peers get to experience? How can we show up for them?

Educate yourself

The first thing you can do to show up for Black girls is to educate yourself on what they go through. Even if you’ve lived the experience as a Black woman, a refresher on what it’s truly like to be a girl during the adolescent years can still be helpful. 

Talk to Black girls about what they are dealing with on a day to day basis. Ask them questions and then listen to their answers. 

Be conscious of your microaggressions. Do you know what that means? If not, learn what it is and then make sure you aren’t exacting any on the girls in your life.

Read one of the many books out there about the Black girl experience.

It’s difficult to show up for people you don’t even know. Educate yourself.

Support “average” girls

A Black girl doesn’t have to be on the honor roll, or a successful entrepreneur for her to be deserving of support. Make sure you’re not holding Black girls to a different level of expectations that they have to meet in order for you to show up for them.

Girls who are troubled or struggling also deserve to be protected. Their issues don’t make them less of a child. 

Speak up when They’re BEing mistreated

If you witness a Black girl being treated poorly, use your privilege (whatever that may be) to stand up for her.

I know it can be uncomfortable to put yourself out there, especially if you don’t have all of the information. The reality, however, is this, if you see any child being mistreated they will need an adult to intervene.

Be that adult whenever possible. 

Allow Black girls to be carefree

Children are going to misbehave. They’re going to make mistakes. They are wired to be loud and annoying and to frustrate adults. It’s just what kids do. Give Black girls the same permission to be as carefree as their peers. 

Even if they seem mature, shield them from things that chip away at their innocence. Let Black girls have a childhood.

Teach your kids to understand what Black girls go through.

Support organizations that support Black girls

One of the ways that Black girls (and the Black community in general) are underserved is financially. If there is an organization in your community that supports Black girls, support them. Show up as a fiscal sponsor, a mentor, or volunteer. 

Ask not what Black girls can do for you, ask what you can do for a Black girl. 

And then do it.

Previous Post: « Preserving the Childhood of Black Girls
Next Post: How to Support Your Kid Entrepreneur »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Meet Brandi

signs of depression in teens

Depression in Teens: Know When Your Child Needs Help

Mother's Day gift

The Best Mother’s Day Gifts for 2022

best heating pad for period

Best Period Heating Pads for Cramp Relief

DIY and Recipes

Lemon Garlic Marinated Kale

Lemon Garlic Kale

Potato, Sausage and Pepper Frittata

Grilled Cheese Roll Ups

Easy Banana Bread (With Brown Sugar and Walnuts)

Homemade Cinnamon Hot Chocolate

Make delicious baked apples in an air fryer

 photo SingleMomFindsLove.jpg
 photo howwegottoforever.jpg
 photo how-to-be-a-better-mom-.jpg [URL=http://s1014.photobucket.com/user/MAMAKNOWSITALL/media/508685_Blogger_Ambassador_Badge_fn.png.html][IMG]http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af266/MAMAKNOWSITALL/508685_Blogger_Ambassador_Badge_fn.png[/IMG][/URL]

Proud Mama

Top 50 Mom Blogger
Lakeshore Learning Ambassador photo 508685_Blogger_Ambassador_Badge_fn.png

Footer

Let’s Connect!

  • Contact Me
  • Meet Brandi
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2022 Brandi Riley