one for all and all for...none.

Not everything you do or feel should be founded within solely your Blackness.

I was reminded recently of the longstanding fallacy upheld by many within the Black community, that we should feel beholden to supporting our brothers and sisters. No matter how they act, think, treat others, etc…

I reject that.

Not only does it promote the false belief that we’re a monolith: all good/bad, all raised the same, all with the same interests, etc… But it also disregards our individual emotional needs and rights.

We all know we’ve got some brothers and sisters that spew questionable and/or problematic ideas. That doesn’t make them any less or more Black. It simply makes it overwhelmingly clear that they are individuals with their own way of walking through the world.

As a systemically oppressed group, we are subscribed, from birth, into group-think social rules that diminish our individuality. I do believe we should show care and hold a special affinity for each other. However, I do not believe we should excuse each other’s misgivings, problematic behaviors, or inappropriate remarks; no matter whether directed to the public or to each other interpersonally.

I am Alexa Claire, a proud Black woman. I am not Black Woman #2168839382723849394.