Twitter is the virtual birthplace of many a discussion aboutΒ race relations, stereotypes and cultural misconceptions on a weekly basis, and this week it was the #AllBlackGirlsDont hashtag that sparked the chatter.
As is the case with most trending topics on social media, the origin of the #AllBlackGirlsDont hashtag remains unknown, but its’ purpose is seemingly self-explanatory: highlight and dispel the stereotypical myths associated with “black girl behavior” one tweet at a time. At first, the topic and the trend got off to a very positive start, with Black women chiming in from every corner of cyberspace to uplift themselves and their fellow woman of color through simple but bold statements about all of the things that come together to make us Black women so magical.
#allblackgirlsdont have low self-esteem π. We know ourselves & we know our worth & will no longer devalue ourselves β
— π (@Chrismiline) July 31, 2015
#AllBlackGirlsDont just sit around and do nothing. Most of us are going to school to become something in life. We have dreams & ambition
— Kayla Wayla π¦ (@KoolKidkayy_) July 31, 2015
β@MyBlackMatters: #AllBlackGirlsDont have the same body type so let's stop making comments like "You don't have a real black girl body."βππΎπ―
— Kiimmy Kimani. (@KiimmyKay) July 31, 2015
https://twitter.com/mahogvni/status/626936257579511808
π©πΏπ©π½π©πΎ#AllBlackGirlsDont Don't need weave, makeup or even fancy clothes to be pretty. Some of em are just glowing with beauty πππ
— Andy B. (@itisandyy) July 31, 2015
In addressing negative ideas of black femininity we replace old stereotypes with respectability politics-centric new ones #AllBlackGirlsDont
— Amanda Bennett (@theamandashow16) August 3, 2015
https://twitter.com/dancer1695/status/627265476775813120
These #AllBlackGirlsDont tweets ππΎππΎππΎ yasss ! Empower us π πΎπͺπΎ
— braytovenπ¦ (@2Charmzz_____) August 3, 2015
Unfortunately, the “positivity” didn’t last very long before the hashtag began to turn negative. Instead of highlighting things like the beauty, differences, strength and intelligence of Black women, the hashtag became a sounding board for people to pass judgement and highlight why one type of Black woman is better than the next.
https://twitter.com/retrovixens/status/630381469899337728
#AllBlackGirlsDont have obnoxious hair colors
— the beans π (@_kaitbythepound) July 31, 2015
#AllBlackGirlsDont grow up to be a stripper, or not have goals …. We don't all have kids by the age of 18πͺπ½ππΎπ―
— Shannia π (@0v3rShannia) July 31, 2015
#AllBlackGirlsDont walk out the house in pajamas with there hair tied up in a scarf .
— ariπ (@itsplaygirlari) July 31, 2015
#AllBlackGirlsDont Draw On Their Eyebrows Or Wear Weave !
— ΠΈΞ±Ξ±βΞ±β¨π (@Alexisnaala_) July 31, 2015
https://twitter.com/Keepit_lowkee/status/626977178698256385
#AllBlackGirlsDont have deadbeat baby daddies. Last time I checked it's just white single moms on MTV πΈβοΈ but no stereotypes about them huh?
— PRO-BLACK. (@_honeeydipp) August 3, 2015
#AllBlackGirlsDont Throw themselves on every available and/or unavailable male
— ππ€ (@honeycocopuff) July 31, 2015
Although the overall positive message of the hashtag fell short of resonating with some in the end, the idea that Black women are so much more than what the stereotypes of society try to limit usΒ to being was thankfullyΒ not lost on many that chose to engage in the discussion.
August 9, 2015 -
#AllBlackGirlsDont have to prove anything to those who don’t want to see our value.
August 9, 2015 -
Girl say that! I am so tired of Black women trying to humanize themselves to those who don’t give a hot damn. If you don’t get it, you won’t get it, bye.
August 9, 2015 -
Amen Sister.
August 10, 2015 -
I see what these young ladies are trying to do and it’s great but a black woman could fly in the sky with a super hero cape on saving the world from disaster and some people will still look up in the air and be like “she ratchet”. Some people are determined to hate black women no matter what we do. Look at the heat Michelle Obama takes. “They” know we aren’t all like that. The hate agenda is deep…
August 10, 2015 -
Exactly, NubiPrincess. These people will never admit how much they hate themselves, it’s easier to project it onto the easiest scapegoat. And their venom thrown at First Lady Michelle is the perfect example–
August 10, 2015 -
*LOL* I see what you’re saying. But I think that this hashtag probably does more for black women internally than externally. Like the “black girl bodies” tag. It helps especially young black women to cut through the nonsense that they hear or perceive on a daily basis. There should be a #AllBlackGuysDont hashtag as well.
August 10, 2015 -
I’m on the fence with this.. Why are we always trying to prove ourselves to people who really don’t give a f*** about us.. This is getting so old.
August 10, 2015 -
So, just the usual respectability politics that seek to divide rather than unite… Don’t we all know by now that Black people will always be judged more harshly for the same actions non-Black folks are involved in everyday? Our every action (whether positive or negative) is scrutinized and our every mistake deemed a stain on our collective character – something no other race of people must contend with. Bottom line, respectability politics is a disease masquerading as a cure and offers nothing but vain hope and a false and fleeting sense of superiority to those who foolish enough to fall into its trap. Any intelligent Black person who hasn’t abandoned that particular ship by now is probably living in a fantasy land.
August 10, 2015 -
Yes, it’s a self imposed prison. We need to set ourselves free and live our lives as we have the right to.
August 10, 2015 -
“#allblackgirlsdont have low self-esteem . We know ourselves & we know our worth & will no longer devalue ourselves
this is the only one that really mattered. I’m not down with trying to convince people who dgaf about me to like me. That’s their problem, not mine and saying all this probably won’t change many minds. They’ll find a way to explain it away so it can fit whatever opinions they already have about black women.
August 21, 2015 -
Beautiful pictures