Is 2025 trying your patience? Are you feeling the weight of the world and politics on your shoulders? When the national narrative for black women is “we are sitting this one out”, what does that actually look like for us in our everyday lives? How can you practice wellness and self care in your life when the world seems to be crumbling all around you?
During the last presidential election, the United States saw the vast majority of black women cast our vote for the candidate we felt aligned more closely with our values and would protect our interests, or at least did not hate us and intend to bring harm to our community. Throughout the election cycle, black women tried to educate people about the possibilities of Kamala Harris not winning the election, and when VP Harris did not win the presidency, we felt like our concerns fell upon deaf ears and our efforts were wasted. Fast forward to a mere 6 weeks into the 47th President’s term, and the country appears to be crumbling for many of us…just like most black women tried to inform everyone. So now, in response to being ignored, we are “sitting this one out” and letting other cultures fix the problems they voted for. Here are a few ways that black women can sit this one out and protect their peace.
Although we are not a monolith, most of us share some common values such as a sense of community, uplifting one another, and commitment. Consider using this time out as a time in: invest in your community. Use your talents and skills to teach others and be a leader in a community that supports you and listens to your valuable insight. When you take care of your community, it can give you a sense of purpose and leave you feeling as if your efforts are rewarded.
A second way black women can sit this one out is to stop stressing about teaching other cultures about how to respect you. Stop educating people about black struggles when Google is free and libraries are still open! When people have not listened to your education, attempts to connect and find commonalities, and ignored black people’s voices for generations, save your energy.
Another way to protect your peace is to take time to relax and practice self care. Spend time on your hobbies and quality time with your loved ones. Instead of engaging in politics or media, what does it look like to focus on things that bring you joy and peace? Can you take it a step further and focus on your own future goals? Since you will not be busy educating the masses, worry about your own education and knowledge.
Black women: do not allow yourselves to feel guilt when the country is on fire and people whose values did not align with yours in November, are looking to you to save them or offer advice or support; WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF! Imagine what you could become in 1461 days if you spent your energy focused on your own wellness instead of being the superhero we have all been to everyone else. Sit this one out and be your own personal superwoman; you deserve it!
- Sitting This One Out:How Black Women Can Protect Their Peace - Saturday, April 5, 2025
