Black Girl Adultification

 

I was engaged in a conference call that turned its focus towards MaKhia Bryant...

I understand on various levels the “adultification” of Black girls—from its historic underpinnings—academically AND personally. I know the saga, stress and hell of having to defend, protect, and take care of yourself as a teenager. There are plenty of people waiting and willing to prey on vulnerable—unprotected, young Black girls, and she is left to defend herself the best she can—IF she can. So, yes, I know the ugliness of this ”adultification” stigma is the root of why this child was murdered. 

Black girls are deemed adult, grown, fast, etc., when in reality it’s the “real adults” in and around this child’s life that left her unprotected—I know that story all too well also. And the bottom line is the ENTIRE system failed this little girl—and despite the ignorant rhetoric that “she got what she deserved” —such a horrible sentiment, she did not—what she deserved was to grow into full adulthood and to carry out a full life. And despite what we think about the quality of her life as it stood—the majority of phenomenal Black women I know—arose from ashes and grew as a rose 🌹 from concrete. 

So my call to action for ALL of us Black women and men is to take a boy and girl under your protective wings — nurture, protect and develop them. Show them the value of living a productive life—and productive does NOT mean perfect, but a life that allows them a chance to grow from their challenges and mistakes—to evolve into the fullness of being an adult. No 13, 14, 15 year old should be dead because she/he was “too grown.” What a moral failing on our parts.

#BlackGirls #Adultification #MaKhiaBryant

Copyright © 2021 by Christie Y. Shaw