Please stop calling Black Women Strong as a compliment. “Strong,” is why our mortality rate in medicine is high. Strong is why our pain is not taken seriously. Strong is why there is less empathy for us. Strong is why we’re put last in every movement because we can “handle it.”

Black Women’s bones are not made of steel, our skin bruises, and our tear ducts work. Black Women cry when we are feeling pain. Black Women feel anxious when we are scared. Black Women battle mental health. Black Women have body images. Black Women FEEL. BLACK WOMEN are human

Things to say instead of “you’re so strong”

Try:
“I can’t imagine how you’re feeling right now, but I’m here to listen”

“What you’ve been through is horrific. Your emotions are valid”

“Thank you for being vulnerable”

“You don’t have to suffer in silence, we will make change”

For the men that entered this thread: Privilege is the ability to not think critically about something with few consequences. If you would like to learn why I said this rather than exercise your privilege and complain, I would be more than happy to send you reading materials