50 Things Every Black Woman Should Learn to Do With a Smile

There’s no shortage in society of people telling black women what they shouldn’t do. If the impact was beneficial, it might not be an issue. But we already know that majority of the people telling black women to not wear bright colors, not be in the sun too long, to put our education on the back-burner, are all people who want to limit black women and perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

Black girls rock, and in order to keep that glow about us it helps to embrace a few behaviors. Some might appear contrary to what you’ve been told all your life, but as someone who’s done at least 40 of the things listed, trust me when I say it’s worth it. So, here are a list of behaviors that I think black women should embrace en masse more often.

1. Embrace Change 2. Saying No 3. Flaunt the Deepening of Our Skin in the Summer 4. Rock Our Natural Hair 5. Create Spaces for Black Women 6. Compliment Another Black Girl on Her Natural Hair 7. Disassociate With Colorist People 8. Buy Black 9. Give Your Most Fervent Support to Those Who Support You 10. Support Black Women 11. Let Go of People Who Don’t Help You Grow 12. Wear Bright Clothing 13. Embrace Wash Days 14. Protect Spaces for Black Women 15. Call Out Anti-Blackness 16. Learn to Braid! 17. Read Black Authors 18. Assert Our Desires 19. Let Go of Situations That Take More Than Their worth 20. Embrace Exclusivity 21. Open Doors for Other Black Women 22. Trim Those Ends 23. Take Up Space 24. Take the Low Road Sometimes 25. Move in Silence 26. Uplift Our Likeness 27. Compete 28. Take the High Rode Most Times 29. Embrace Failure 30. Forgive Ourselves 31. Break Generational Curses 32. Consume Black Media 33. Connect With Others in the Diaspora 34. Travel Alone 35. Love Our Shrinkage 36. Wear Rich & Colorful Lipsticks 37. Take An Interest in Black History 38. Celebrate Another Black Woman Winning 39. Share Our Experiences 40. Create Opportunity 41. Uplift Our Image 42. Consume Media From Others in the Diaspora 43. Honor Your Ancestors 44. Take Pride in Our Appearance 45. Mentor Another Black Girl 46. Create Black Art 47. Make Mistakes 48. Love Yourself Unconditionally 49. Stay on Code 50. Pass the Crown

This list is not at all exhaustive however it’s a starting point. Some of these things may take a few years to experience or fully commit to and that’s ok. If the monotony of quarantine life is getting to you, now is just as good a time as ever to begin checking some of the things off this list.

Lilith is a blogger with an emphasis in writing and reflecting upon social agendas that effect black women. When not at her computer writing she is more than likely still at her computer, programming. On the rare occasion that Lilith isn't at her laptop you can attempt to find her exploring the Chicago food scene or attending workshops in creative writing