Mother Baltimore: Black women need protection
I really didn’t want to talk about it. There have been many articles, thousands of social media posts and probably thousands more offline conversations about it. You know what that it is.
But instead of taking an expansive philosophical dive into whether Will Smith should have slapped Chris Rock during this year’s Oscars (I think the slap was warranted), I’d rather spend a *very* brief time exploring what it means to protect Black women, which was at the heart of the conflict.
I’m not exactly sure when the phrase “protect Black women” became a popular hashtag on social media. Its origins are hard to track online. I do know that for at least the past five years, the hashtag has become a catchy Twitter phenomenon, especially regarding situations in which Black women are not protected.
I saw the hashtag flood my timeline around the time of Breonna Taylor’s death and when no officers were charged for her death. I saw the hashtag appear again when rapper Megan Thee Stallion faced, and continues to face, online harassment from men who constantly doubt that she was allegedly shot in the foot by artist Tory Lanez, who’s currently facing charges in the shooting.
The calls to protect Black women are vital, but I often wonder what exactly does that look like offline. Do we, Black women, even know what that looks like? If we did, maybe there wouldn’t be a need for a “protect Black women” hashtag.
So when Will Smith, admittedly participating in the in-real-life version of “protect Black women” for his wife, slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars after Rock made a lazy, harmful joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith’s bald head (which she has because of alopecia), the conversation became more about the morality of two men instead of the care and compassion for a woman who was mocked for the effects of an autoimmune disorder.
Even in the offline practice of “protect Black women,” Black women are rarely seen and heard. Our needs are still not met. So that’s why I struggle to find the answer to the meaning of “protect Black women”. I don’t know what that looks like. I think most Black women don’t, even though we deeply yearn for protection.
But maybe protection in a sexist, white supremacist society doesn’t exist.
Now, here’s the latest news in southwestern Illinois:
This principal says her state award reflects the work of many in East St. Louis schools
An East St. Louis principal is one of six finalists for this year’s Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership. The BND’s education reporter Megan Valley talked to the principal about the honor and what the award means for the community.
More on metro-east schools:
New principal at Union Elementary School says leaving Belleville East is bittersweet
Metro-east schools rarely have vegan or vegetarian lunch options, but that could change
State police probe beating complaint against East St. Louis cop, refers questions to FBI
The East St. Louis Police Department concluded an investigation concerning a former Belleville East student alleging that an East St. Louis police officer severely beat him. The city says it won’t release its findings until the state finishes its investigation. Illinois State Police is assisting with the investigation but referred any questions about it to the FBI’s Springfield office.
More on East St. Louis Police Department:
Former Belleville man files complaint alleging East St. Louis police officer beat him
After 6 years of negotiations and promises, East St. Louis cops still waiting on 2% raise
Looking to replace Mike Bost in East St. Louis, Democrat says he would focus on the city
BND politics reporter Kelsey Landis talked to David Palmer, who’s a candidate for the state’s 13th Congressional District, about his plans for East St. Louis and why he firmly believes that the city’s challenges are the district’s challenges. Palmer will face two other candidates in the June 28 Democratic primary.
More on politics in the metro-east:
St. Clair County property tax rates are higher due to an exemption. It’s getting worse
Illinois lawmakers take step toward investigating warehouse safety after Amazon collapse
This section of Mother Baltimore highlights upcoming events in the metro-east that are relevant to Black communities. If you have tips for events, send them to dsutgrey@bnd.com
Tina Turner and the St. Louis Music Scene
6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 14 at the Missouri History Museum
Dr. Maureen Mahon, associate professor of music at New York University, will give a lecture on Tina Turner’s musical contributions to the St. Louis area. The Rock & Roll icon got her start performing at Club Manhattan in East St. Louis. The Missouri History Museum is located at 5700 Lindell Blvd in St. Louis. Click here for more information.
What to watch
‘Rothaniel’
Jerrod Carmichael is back with his third HBO comedy special, “Rothaniel”. And I honestly have no further words to say about it other than it being a must-watch. OK, I lied. It’s a beautiful piece of art in which Carmichael weaves comedy and storytelling to offer one of the best things I’ve seen in a while. Carmichael, who’s most famous for the former NBC series “The Carmichael Show”, which he co-created, gives viewers a very intimate exploration of what it’s like living at the intersection of being Black, queer and a Christian. OK, I’m done, but, seriously, watch it (if you can). “Rothaniel” is available to watch on HBO Max.
What to read
My favorite rap songs are all fight and no flight
In this thought-provoking, interactive piece for The New York Times, music journalism veteran Danyel Smith writes about what all of her favorite rap songs have in common and interrogates why artists feel obligated to inherit a bulletproof sense confidence and style in their rhymes:
This broadcasting of invincibility? It revs my heart. When I am, in my soul, with the band, I exist in all caps. I am fighting and flying high. But how can people not be tired of introducing and reintroducing themselves to those who willfully, even cynically, resist their humanity?
That’s all she wrote!
Talk to y’all in two weeks!
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