What Does It Mean To Be A Strong Blackwoman?

[FAMU]

What does it mean to be a strong blackwoman? If a woman is showing weak characteristics, can she still call herself strong?
I know this might be a sensitive subject......but it's worth discussing it deeply. I'll give some foundation.
If we were to borrow from our observations of women we have known and women in our environment , including those we have seen in the media and in entertainment......if we were to ask these women if they were strong blackwomen, what would likely be the answer? They ALL would most likely say, that they were STRONG women ( black ) , wouldnt they? Hardly would anybody admit that they are weak.

For instance.....If anybody ever read interviews of Mary J...during the time she was using drugs and was at an all time low as far as healthy self-esteem......you would have got the impression that she thought of herself as a strong woman just like any other woman would. But my question is.......how can you think of yourself as a strong woman , dragging yourself down with drugs or alcohol, and wallowing around with knuckleheads?

How do classify Phyllis Hyman......who had a great voice and appeal.......who takes her own life? Was she strong too?

For average women.......we see and hear a lot of women who brag about being strong blackwomen. But then you see women doing some dumb things thats contradicts what would classify them as being strong?

So what I want to know .......is how can women get away with categorizing themselves as being strong, when it's obvious that there are things that they are doing that makes them look weak?

[Tastey]

A Woman is like a teabag, you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water.

Because a woman is strong it doesn't mean that she will never have a weak moment. Anyone who is human will have a weak moment. Strength comes with how do you deal with those weak moments and what do you learn from those weak moments.

It also not possible to tell how strong someone is when you are on the outside looking in.

For instance if a man runs a "game" on a woman and she falls for it he may see her as weak, when actually he is the one who was too weak to be real. Too weak to be himself. Too weak to recognize a strong woman and accept her. The only way he could deal with her was to try to tear down her strength with a mind game.

To me if that woman came through the game realizing it was a game and learning from the experience she is the strong one.

[nubianx2]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tastey+
[B]A Woman is like a teabag, you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water.


:beer

[Babygirl]

Originally posted by Tastey+
A Woman is like a teabag, you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water.

Because a woman is strong it doesn't mean that she will never have a weak moment. Anyone who is human will have a weak moment. Strength comes with how do you deal with those weak moments and what do you learn from those weak moments.

It also not possible to tell how strong someone is when you are on the outside looking in.

For instance if a man runs a "game" on a woman and she falls for it he may see her as weak, when actually he is the one who was too weak to be real. Too weak to be himself. Too weak to recognize a strong woman and accept her. The only way he could deal with her was to try to tear down her strength with a mind game.

To me if that woman came through the game realizing it was a game and learning from the experience she is the strong one.

I think you struck gold with this one. I am going to have to steal that phase and use it as my signatures:D

[sistuhchey]

Strength = wisdom, courage,love and respect...and more love!!!

Most sistuhs have the backbone and tenacity to keep on keeping on, no matter what curve balls are thrown are way....:)

[OhSoPrecious]

My answer:

To be a strong black woman. . . to have that inner strength that is shown on the outside. . . in good and bad times~!!! ;) Sorry. . . but, not everyone has that~!!! :rolleyes:

[que90nek]

gosh tastey...u just hit on the pledging concept....
what better way to test your mettle, but to TURN UP THE HEAT. Who are you when the chips are down...when you are not at your optimum environment...will u excell...will it bring out the best in you....

nice.....

this is a good question.....

does a strong black woman have weak moments...relapses? or is that defining moment the one that counts....?

[HulaSista]

Originally posted by Tastey+
A Woman is like a teabag, you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water.


YEAH! What she said!:D

[Tastey]

I had to bring this one back up.

The other day I experienced a weak moment and actually cried in front of a friend. (something I NEVER EVER EVER do)

My friend prayed with me/for me and I felt my strength returning and TODAY I know that I am stronger because of the outcome of that weak moment.

[que90nek]

i think we ALL have weak moments...but we can't let that moment DEFINE who we are....we must use it as a spring board to propel us to bigger and better things

[MsMeelah]

Well I consider myslef a strong black woman but I that does not mean I have not done stupid shit and that I will not have weak moments. I think that suffering the consequences and actually LEARNING from them is part of what molds you into a strong woman.

[swtjamaica]

Originally posted by que90nek+
i think we ALL have weak moments...but we can't let that moment DEFINE who we are....we must use it as a spring board to propel us to bigger and better things

...tell that to my always wanting to be the fuckin victim ass sister in law???

[swtjamaica]

in response to the question, a strong woman PERIOD is one who can use past mistakes, experiences and LEARN from them, in order to be a better person to herself, her family and others...

[HulaSista]

Newbies (to this thread) ... please enlighten us with your opinions