by Aretha Flucker
Black women are not disposable. As we enter more deeply into Women’s History Month and celebrate the women who have paved the way for so many other women, my heart is filled with grief. I grieve because the reality is oftentimes that Black women are not seen for all we are and all we have done to build this nation. Our lives, talents, experiences, and education are not valued as others are. We face uncertainty and inequity in care, and Black women are more than twice as likely to succumb to maternal mortality than our counterparts. We are undervalued and underpaid, making it even more difficult for Black women to have equity in homeownership and other milestones. Black women often are misrepresented as angry or rude. We are surveilled in work atmospheres and targeted for mistreatment. Most heartbreakingly, Black women are not believed, and our feelings are often invalidated. Somehow, the world seems to grieve a little less when Black women’s lives are lost.
On March 13, 2020, Breonna Taylor became the fatality of a world that did not and does not see her value. Most of us are familiar with the incidents revolving around her killing, and I do not wish to present them today. However, what I will focus on is the lack of care given prior to her death, during, and after. There is disagreement over the warrant issued to search her premises and whether or not adequate identification was offered; however, we know that on the night of her death she was shot five times. Not only was Breonna shot multiple times, but the gunfire spewed violently throughout the apartment complex, placing even more lives in danger. What is hurtful to me is that Breonna laid on the floor dying while no medical attention was provided for 20 minutes.
Black women have been carrying this nation since its inception. We have always been behind the scenes making the impossible happen and getting the work done. Appreciate our value. Recognize our exceeding strength amid the pain and injustice. We are not disposable.
I find it hard to believe that an unarmed Black woman’s shooting was not recognized as a grave error, and medical care could not have been given much sooner. Whether or not medical assistance would have changed the outcome, Breonna deserved care. She deserved the care she had given to so many others as an EMT responder. Breonna deserved someone to hold her hand and tell her she was cared for during those last painful moments. She deserved to not have been viewed as a criminal and targeted with no evidence of a crime. Breonna should have been seen for the caring and kind person she was with her whole life ahead of her. She deserved to be in her home with peace and safety. Breonna deserved her life. Breonna was not disposable.
No Black woman should be undervalued, mistreated, or targeted. We created this nation by caring for its children, providing food to those who enslaved us, building the economy, making clothing, and yes, being the victims of rape and birthing this nation’s children. When we see Black women, we should see the epitome of strength, resiliency, and perseverance. We have endured despite all the attempts to diminish and oppress us. We are teachers, scientists, doctors, preachers, surgeons, authors, and leaders in a variety of fields. When the world sees us doing well, instead of tearing us down, build us up. Do not dare claim that we are angry or aggressive for standing up for ourselves. We do not deserve to be lied to, seen as a criminal, or respected less than others. Believe our medical concerns. See our work, hire, and promote us. Please do not accept a narrative that Black women are lazy or inept. We often work twice and sometimes three times as hard as our colleagues—whether acknowledged or not.
Black women have been carrying this nation since its inception. We have always been behind the scenes making the impossible happen and getting the work done. Appreciate our value. Recognize our exceeding strength amid the pain and injustice. We are not disposable.
The Rev. Dr. Aretha R. Flucker is a writer, consultant, and religious strategist. She centers her work and ongoing research on spiritual formation within the church and beyond. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Alliance of Baptists and does justice-focused work, grant writing, and consultancy with a variety of divinity schools, organizations, and congregations.
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