Reclaiming Freedom: Black Women’s Call to Focus on Self and Community

In this moment, Black women are choosing to carry only ourselves—our families, our communities, our children. The weight we've been forced to bear for others, whether politically or socially, has been lifted. And now, for the next four years, we turn inward. This is a time for Black women to rest, secure our finances, and protect our bodies, minds, and spirits.

We've lived through these days before. We know the pain, the dismissal, the disrespect. These struggles are nothing new to us, but we've often been at the forefront, fighting not only for our own rights but for everyone else’s as well. This time, though, our focus is on our own communities, because that is enough. We've earned this focus; we deserve it.

To Those Who Chose This Path

For Latinos who supported Trump: when birthright citizenship is revoked, when mass deportations start, remember—this is what you wanted.

For women who voted for Trump: if you’re forced to carry a pregnancy against your will, if your rights are stripped, this is the reality you endorsed.

For the LGBTQ+ community that stood with Trump: if mass annulments of same-sex marriages become reality, know that this is what you signed up for.

All I have for you is thoughts and prayers, and the understanding that you got exactly what you asked for.

Our Current Reality: Living in a Kakistocracy

We find ourselves in a kakistocracy—a government by the least qualified or most unprincipled citizens. For too long, American systems have conditioned us, effectively dumbing down the population. This election only deepened this truth. Black women, once again, have been the leading force for progressive change. In the last election, we fought to protect rights that would affect the next century and more. We’ve carried the weight of every major social movement, been at the forefront of every fight. Yet, when we decide to focus inward, to secure our own community, it’s somehow unacceptable.

No More Sacrifice, No More Waiting

We’re saying, "No more." Black women are no longer here to be your scapegoat or to fight battles that ultimately leave us as the last in line to benefit. We deserve the first plate, not the scraps. If you’re aligned with Trump, if you’re advocating for policies that strip us of our rights, kindly unfollow and move along. Black women are focusing on what matters now: our people, our community, our future.

America was never truly "the land of the free" for us. This is a nation where our labor and contributions are siphoned back into the government—through taxes, bills, and the cost of survival. Yet we’re expected to keep supporting a system that treats us as disposable.

The Strength of Black Voters

This election revealed, once again, the power of Black voters, particularly Black women:

• Black 18–29: 85%

• Black 30–44: 84%

• Black 45–64: 83%

• Black 65+: 94%

These numbers speak volumes. We’ve always shown up, even when it felt like we had the most to lose. But moving forward, it’s clear: this will be an "us vs. them" reality. And we’ll be here for our own.

The Path Forward: Focused Action and Community Resilience

This is not a time for protest in the streets. It’s a time for action, education, and grounding ourselves in skills that can sustain and uplift our communities. Knowledge and skill-building are critical:

• Legal and Medical Skills: Support for future Black lawyers, doctors, and community organizers. They’ll be essential to our survival and growth.

• Health and Herbal Knowledge: Learning to protect our bodies holistically, embracing herbal and natural remedies, and securing our own paths to wellness.

• Physical and Mental Defense: Martial arts, self-defense, and mental resilience training to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

Here are some organizations and resources supporting these goals:

1. Dream Defenders
   Website: dreamdefenders.org
   Dream Defenders works to support Black and brown communities through activism, empowerment programs, and resources focused on ending police and state violence. Their work includes resources and training that benefit communities of color.

2. National Black Women’s Justice Institute
   Website: nbwji.org
   This organization focuses on addressing issues like criminal justice reform and economic security for Black women, supporting systemic changes that lead to safer communities for Black women and girls.

3. Black Girls CODE
   Website: blackgirlscode.com
   Providing opportunities for young Black girls to learn technology and coding skills, Black Girls CODE empowers the next generation of leaders, helping build career skills to create economically resilient communities.

4. SisterLove, Inc.
   Website: sisterlove.org
   SisterLove provides health resources and education for Black women, particularly in the areas of reproductive health and HIV/AIDS support. This is crucial for maintaining both physical and mental health in our communities.

5. HealHaus
   Website: healhaus.com
   HealHaus offers wellness resources, including mental health support and holistic wellness services tailored for Black people. It is an essential space for those seeking self-care practices and mental resilience.

6. Law for Black Lives
   Website: law4blacklives.org
   Law for Black Lives offers legal support and resources for Black communities, aiming to build a network of lawyers and legal experts who work to protect Black rights and support movements for justice.

7. GirlTrek
   Website: girltrek.org
   GirlTrek encourages Black women to use walking as a way to improve physical and mental health. Their movement-based approach supports individual wellness and builds a strong sense of community.

8. National Black Food & Justice Alliance
   Website: blackfoodjustice.org
   This organization focuses on Black food sovereignty and land ownership, promoting sustainable agriculture and access to healthy food within Black communities.

Final Words: Building for Ourselves, by Ourselves

Black women understand the realities of America. When crises hit, our communities feel the impact first and hardest. We know that if we don’t protect ourselves, no one else will. These resources provide pathways for Black women to learn, organize, and build sustainable systems for resilience. We’re no longer waiting or sacrificing for a system that disregards us. We’re creating our own paths, rooted in the power, wisdom, and resilience that have always defined Black womanhood.

Would you like additional resources on any specific topic or further details on how to engage with these organizations?