Why Black Girls Rock

Believe it or not, last night I watched an awards show on BET and found it both entertaining and empowering. 


Black Girls Rock is a non-profit youth empowerment organization that promotes the arts for young women of color. Founded by Beverly Bond, the group also encourages an analysis of the ways women of color are portrayed in the media. 


Last night the Black Girls Rock 2011 awards show was broadcast on BET. If anyone was wondering why black girls rock, it was clear by the end of this show. 


Black girls rock because we don’t accept no for an answer. The night featured story after story of women who kept pushing and kept fighting despite challenges and closed doors — women like actress Taraji P. Henson who worked two jobs to get through college and stayed true to her craft and herself despite the lack of quality roles available for black actresses. She kept working and now has an Academy Award nomination on her resume. 


Black girls rock because we defy stereotypes. Think about how so many child actors end up in prison, on drugs, or both. But after The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Tatyana Ali went on to get a degree from Harvard University and became an advocate for education. And did you see the beautiful Regina King?!


Black girls rock because we believe in sisterhood. In her acceptance speech Henson addressed how important it is for black women to support one another, a sentiment amplified by the words of iconic human rights activist Angela Davis, who was also honored at the event. Davis said the most important part of her story is the fact that when she was persecuted and unfairly incarcerated so many people organized campaigns fighting for her release. Community is essential. 


Black girls rock because we make a difference. Laurel J. Richie, president of the Women’s National Basketball Association, shared that instead of thinking about what you want to do, regarding your profession, you should consider who you want to be and the kind of mark you want to make on the world. The women Richie manages certainly make a difference, or, as Richie put it, when those women take to the court, they’re also taking a stand. As are Imani Walker and Malika Saada Saar of the Rebecca Project for Human Rights. 


BET did this right. Black Girls Rock was classy, fun, and uplifting. It gave me the pep talk I needed going into this week. As Girlfriends and The Game creator Mara Brock Akil said we need to have our voices heard and, because we know this, we keep trying and keep wearing cute shoes. We get it done.