Veronica states, “I am no stronger than some White woman. I just think that Black women have learned to tolerate a lot of stuff so their level of tolerance is a lot higher than other people.” This hit me because it is true; there is no difference in physical strength between women of different colors, rather their tolerance of the pain they have endured in life. When I read this section I thought that Black women are strong mentally because they endure a lot in life—that being the stereotypes that society has placed on them. It’s such a shame that these women have no other choice but to accept it. A nice, loving Black woman can be as loving as she can be, but that will never lift the stereotype of sassy Black women with an attitude, and it is such a shame that no matter what they do they can never change that. The next part states, “…Black women need a point where they can be vulnerable, where people are not depending on them, let them depend on others for a change. They are human beings, they feel things, their hearts break.” I love this part because it is true; most people see Black women as ruthless machines that can withstand everything because people assume they have the “attitude every black woman has,” but that isn’t the case here. Black women are humans too; they cry when they go through heart break, they cry when they lose a loved one, they feel the oppression, they feel the …show more content…
I enjoyed reading this book; I understand I cannot relate to these stories because I am not a Black woman, but being able to walk through this book with the lens of a Black woman has been really eye opening. I feel like something in this world has to change; I believe that no Black woman should have to deal with these stereotypes that are placed on them. I think it is unfair that these women have to deal with these stereotypes, be objectified, and be treated as something other than humans, while at the same time keeping their mouth shut and accepting it. I’m not a fan of how media portrays Black women as these bad-ass/attitude filled/sassy/ “bitchy”/hoe-like women. It’s ridiculous that society places these stereotypes on them, but if they try to defend themselves then that’s just proving the stereotype because if they raise their voice even the slightest, then they’re accused of talking with an attitude, and then there is really no way out. I think people need to realize that black women are not these machines that can fight, rather they are human beings that feel and can show love…just like anyone else. This book really helps someone from a community that isn’t Black woman to understand what a Black woman has to deal with on a day-to-day basis; this book magnifies the injustices that a Black woman faces so that these women can have a voice, a voice that can be finally