Embracing the Multidimensional Strength of Women of Color
It's a time to honor the legacy of resilience and strength that has been passed down through generations.
There is a vibrant tapestry of our identities as women of color with an intricate intersectionality that shapes our lived experiences, where the nuances of being a woman intertwine with the rich hues of our cultural and racial identities.
It's a time to honor the legacy of resilience and strength that has been passed down through generations. And it's also a chance to redefine what these qualities truly mean in our modern context. Historically, strength for women of color has often been defined by an ability to endure suffering, oppression and marginalization with stoicism. However, wise women like Audre Lorde encourage us to expand our understanding of what true strength encompasses.
The Radical Act of Self-Care
Self-care involves the courage to be vulnerable, to rest, to seek joy, and to ask for help when needed
"Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation and that is an act of political warfare," Lorde famously stated. Her words remind us that self-care involves the courage to be vulnerable, to rest, to seek joy, and to ask for help when needed. It is a revolutionary act, especially for women of color. Too often we have been taught that strength means soldiering on despite our needs, suppressing our emotions, and sacrificing ourselves for others. But Lorde inspires us to resist that narrow definition.
Unconditional Self-Worth and Acceptance
True strength includes giving ourselves permission to acknowledge our complexities as human beings - our needs, limitations and struggles. As the affirmation states, "I am worthy of love and respect. I was born worthy. Whether I succeed or fail, I'll always be worthy." Our worth is inherent and unconditional, not contingent on living up to externally imposed ideals of what a "strong woman" must be.
Embracing Vulnerability as Strength
In my own journey of personal growth, I've found that the realizations that prompt me to shift and evolve don't always stem from overt crises or failures. More often, it's the subtle yet persistent nudging of my spirit, telling me there is more to explore and integrate. As an overachiever, asking for help can feel deeply uncomfortable - my ego would have me believe it's a sign of weakness deserving of guilt or shame.
Yet each time I've dared to surrender to that inner voice, to acknowledge my limitations and accept support, the universe has seemed to conspire in my favor. Supportive people, insights and solutions appear, reminding me that vulnerability and interdependence are profound sources of strength, not signals of deficiency.
The Power of Self-Compassion
Redefining strength through a self-compassionate lens allows us to embrace all aspects of our humanity - our shadows as well as our light. "I love and approve of myself. Loving myself heals my life. I send love and healing to every part of me," the affirmation states. This is the path to true empowerment, to seeing ourselves as whole, integrated beings worthy of deep nourishment and care.
“Redefining strength through a self-compassionate lens allows us to embrace all aspects of our humanity - our shadows as well as our light.”
The Importance of Community
As Audre Lorde recognized, this endeavor is not solely an individual one. "I am not alone. I am part of an illustrious global tribe of Strong Black Women," the affirmation reminds us. Our strength is woven together through the rich tapestry of our connections, our shared stories of resilience, our collective power as women dedicated to uplifting each other.
Representation and Empowerment
That uplifting extends beyond emotional support - research shows that strong communities and positive representations play a vital role in the empowerment of women of color. A study from The Opportunity Agenda found that stereotypical media depictions of women of color as one-dimensional "jezbels," "unhuman creatures" or "modern mammy figures" have profound impacts, linking to lower self-esteem, higher rates of depression and anxiety.
In contrast, having access to authentic narratives that capture the nuances of our experiences, our joys and our struggles in humanizing and affirmative ways is critical. It both shapes how we see ourselves and influences how we are perceived by others. Identifying and supporting the work of artists, authors, filmmakers and other creatives who reflect the beautiful complexities of our identities is one powerful way to contribute to this redefining of representation.
Affirmations for Embracing Multidimensional Strength
So, let us carry these affirmations with us, not merely as words but as embodied practices and guiding principles: "I am worthy of love and respect...I own my magic...I am resilient and powerful." Let them serve as reminders of our incredible history, our unconditional worth, our radiant beauty, our capacity for wholeness and integration.
Together, let us keep embracing the multidimensional strength of women of color - celebrating our fortitude while also giving ourselves the grace to be vulnerable, to acknowledge our needs, to rely on our communities and support networks. For in doing so, we open doors to even deeper levels of personal healing, empowerment and collective transformation.
Grab your copy of the expanded list of affirmations here
Dr. Shenell is a licensed psychologist, speaker, and professor with a private practice in New York City.
From career high-performers to those with chronic health conditions, she specializes in healing multigenerational systemic exposure to inequity, violence, and trauma.
