With Nicki Minaj’s powerful “Anaconda” music video, Keke Palmer’s debut as the first African American Cinderella on Broadway, and tennis player Serena Williams’ sixth U.S. Open win and eighteenth overall Grand Slam title, African American women have captured the headlines lately with accomplishments.
African American women trailblazers, such as the late Rosa Parks and Maya Angelou, helped shape the world we live in today and set a strong path for this generation’s strong and resilient female leaders. Our generation has taken it upon themselves to broaden that path in a unique way, while having to deal with a predominantly male society with a focus on mainstream white America.
First and foremost, being a double minority due to gender and race is not an easy task. In a book titled, “Shifting: The Double Lives of Black Women in America,” authors Charisse Jones and clinical psychologist Kumea Shorter-Gooden have conducted research on 400 black women of all ages and different socioeconomic backgrounds to gain an understanding of what it is like to be an African American female. They highlight that black women have so much to offer society, but that the truth of their experiences are not often acknowledged or appreciated. They attribute this to the reason why many black women today are poorly understood and are unhappy about their place in society.
Let’s take a look at Minaj. The female rapper has a reputation for being outrageous and extravagant with her stage antics. However, Minaj portrays a fierce demeanor proving she can compete with her male rapper counterparts. In a 2012 interview with The Guardian, writer Simon Hattenstone describes Minaj having a body like Marilyn [Monroe] and a mouth like Eminem, implying not to mess with her. Originally born on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, Minaj was raised in Queens, NY and knows what it means to start from the bottom. Her latest single “Anaconda,” has made its way to the top of the music charts, but the meaning that lies behind the lyrics carry a more profound message than meets the eye. The lyrics represent empowering women through sexuality and owning it without apologizing.
In comparison, self-proclaimed feminist Beyoncé displays her femininity proudly. At the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, Beyoncé closed the show with a strong feminine statement through her nearly twenty-minute long performance. In her song “Flawless,” Beyoncé features a speech titled “We Should All Be Feminists” by Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie which states, “We say to girls, ‘You can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful, but not too successful. Otherwise you will threaten the man.’ We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings in the way that boys are.” This speech featured in her performance is a true representation of the struggles and expectations of all women in today’s society.
There is also Keke Palmer. Palmer recently became the first African American Cinderella on Broadway and the youngest talk show host at 21. Known for her acting roles in movies like “Akeelah and the Bee” and “Madea’s Family Reunion,” Palmer hosts her own talk show titled “Just Keke” on BET that addresses the issues that young African American females face. In Palmer’s position, she is empowering the females of our generation and giving them a platform to voice their concerns and opinions.
Serena Williams is the epitome of a successful black woman. Recently winning her sixth U.S. Open and eighteenth Grand Slam title, Williams was raised in Compton, California where she discovered her love for tennis. In an interview with The New York Times back in 2012, Williams mentioned that she had to learn how to drop to the floor of the tennis court at the sound of gunshots being fired near her neighborhood park where she practiced. Through her hard work, drive, and perseverance over the years, Williams has set herself up today as one of the most dominant tennis players. With the odds against her, she still managed to rise above society’s expectations.
The strength of these women is inspirational and powerful. Their fame and influence should not be underestimated. Erika Forbes, a sophomore and accounting major at UT, believes that all females should strive to be the best that they can be. “We should not fail ourselves by allowing discrimination to limit our aspirations and achievements,” Forbes said . This is an issue within our society that requires our close attention. Success is attainable for the young female. However, with the given potential, one must be willing and determined to reach high and soar above and beyond society’s expectations despite the limitations.
Kenisha Ebanks can be reached at senia.ebanks@spartans.ut.edu