In Her Own Country

This morning my Facebook feed is full of black women from Alabama with “I Voted”stickers and white people from all over the country celebrating. My Twitter feed is full of information that makes it clear that black women truly made the difference for Doug Jones in Alabama. And that this is not a new thing.

@ShamekaErby: Don't just thank Black women.

Respect Black Women
Protect Black Women
Hire Black Women
Pay Black Women

Local writer and sometime blogger Candace Montague responds:

 @urbanbushwoman9:Let the church say...? #Amen

The time to be celebrating the talents, widom, and persistence of black women is long overdue. But it seems to me that we’re more comfortable celebrating their successes when they happen somewhere else. What about right here in Howard County?

Since the presidential election a number of groups have sprung up locally to promote Progressive causes. Local activist Maureen Evans Arthurs caused some uncomfortable self-reflection for (almost exclusively white women) members by pointing out the stunning lack of diversity in these groups. Not to mention the fact that these groups were founded without an adequate understanding of African American advocacy groups that were already established and functioning.

Elevate Maryland Co-host Candace Dodson Reed, herself the founder of the African American Community Roundtable—with support and guidance from Regina Clay— has expressed dismay at the casual dismissal and sometimes outright hostility by local members of her own political party. Good grief. If a member of the Democratic Central Committee can’t get respect “in her own country” then we are not getting the lesson we need to be getting.

A prophet is not without honor save in [her] own country...

Celebrating the work of black women “over there” but not making room for it “over here” is just more of the same entrenched racism from self-described white allies that perpetuates white privilege. And it destroys any credibility we might have in the African American community. Call me crazy, but I don’t think that’s who we want to be.If we find ourselves saying, “oh, aren’t they inspiring!” nationally, followed by “why are they always harping on those same issues?” locally, then we have some uncomfortable self-reflection ahead of us.

Let’s end the disconnect.


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