Why are only African American Women expected to be, strong with thick skin?

Question

Don't get me wrong here, I'm not saying that women of other races aren't strong women that wouldn't be the truth. However, with others it appears that they are allowed to not always have to be invincible. Other races are allowed to cry and have a break down here and there and pop all the prozac they want without any one passing judgement. Black women on the other hand it seems we are expected to walk around with a chip on our shoulders (that most often you may not even have), we cant just break down and cry without being labled less than, we have to have everything under controll all the time. Sure I'm strong and I can handle my own but every now and again you want it to be okay if you don't have the answers or you need to cry or something.

If I am wrong and women of other races feel this way sometimes to let me know. Perhaps this is a commonality and I'm just clueless.

Answer 1

Because for centuries we have been! but i feel ya sometimes we want to be weak and helpless and crying all over the place, for example on Grey Anatomy- Lizzy was crying because she had a hard day and her being tired ruined her plans w. George, well she just cried like a baby and he just held her in his arm (bullsh**) where i come from we get the job done, no time for tears! to answer your question I dont know why but thats just the way it has been for centuries and if i had to pick, i'd whether be a strong black women over anything else!

Answer 2

This is an interesting question. It all steams from the fact that black women are labeled as tough and strong. Yes, sometimes it is a good label but times like this it is a bad label. Growing up most black women are learned and taught to depend on yourself, handle the pressure, and keep going in life no matter what crosses your path and that tears are seen as a sign of weakness. With everything in life their needs to be a balance of being strong and vulnerable at the same time. People need to learn that vulnerability isn't a weakness. Finally, just look at the many stereotypes place on women of color such as they have an attitude, think their better than other women or have a chip on their shoulder, etc. etc. but as soon as you break the stereotype some people can't handle that and view it as being weak.

Answer 3

I totally agree with you, but I think in part we as black women have put this burden on ourselves. But then the media through television, movies etc,,, have suddenly took that strength from us and began to use our strength against us making us the stereotypical angry black woman, I mean let's face it, we see the angry black women in comedies, drama , action films , fantasy films, she's every where. The black woman is now the ice queen, and ***** of every movie. And when you see anything different from that it just doesn't fit. We have to be who we are no matter what. If you want to cry , no one will hold that against you. We cannot let other people define us.
Hang in there!

Answer 4

I wouldn't say only african-american women are expected to be strong...I would apply the same thing to Latino/Hispanic women as well...But I do understand what you are saying...as young women in the African American community you are taught not to need anyone or depend on anyone but yourself because you are responsible for your life so you have to roll with the punches as they are thrown....Raise your child yourself because most are single parents...there are lots of things black women are taught that cause them to develop this facade that they are big and bad or they don't need anyone....when actually they just want some help or comfort or be able to vent or lean on the opposite sex for support and by this I don't mean financially....someone to share the burden....

Answer 5

I am 50% Italian and 50% Everything Else. Ya White... I am expected by my family to not cry to not show weakness. My mother is part of the womans movement. Not only am I not allowed to cry, be upset, get frustrated, I am also not suppose to be on my meds because they show weekness. I am to shut all feelings up inside to never talk about them. I know nothing of my grandparents that past away on her side because real woman move on and dont relive the past ever. I should be working, not home with my kids. I am to never need to ask for money, babysitting or help from them because they did it all on their own. I think it is what your upbrining alows for and your parents point of view.. Not just your culture or color..

Answer 6

The way hair works is it stands upright when cold and helps capture warm air and stores it within the skin. This helps keep you slightly warmer than you would have been without hair. Its other use is debated, but some say it was used by our much harrier ancestors to ward off predators by sticking up your hair. This makes you look larger and darker. So yeah, the harrier you are the warmer you will be in cold weather.

Answer 7

The thing about accepting a stereotype or generalization (even if it is a "good" one) - it comes with a HUGE responsibility...

examine the stereotype: "All Asians are good at math" well Asians are human, and say you have an Asian that is not good at math... he/she will still feel compelled to accept the stereotype because they ACCEPT the stereotype to the point that they believe in it...

The same condition applies here...

It is perhaps best not to ACCEPT any stereotype... it is really a two sided coin... there is a "sending party" and a "receiving party."

Answer 8

It's a matter of stereotypes. Everyone has felt like u at some point. The most important thing is to overcome these stereotypes and not become that person they wanna force u to b.

Answer 9

I see what you mean, but I think crying every now and then is good for your health-seriously. Whether that is the case or not, you need to take care of yourself and a good cry can help quite a bit.

Answer 10

Youre the only person Ive ever heard say they think that. I suspect that black women are the only people feeling that way. How do you know that people would judge you? I dont think I would see you as any different.