Breaking down Black Girls Rock

My sister and I were elated to learn that first lady Michelle Obama appeared at this years Black Girls Rock event. “Totally Cool, right?” Apparently, not that cool for some. It appears that the first lady has received negative backlash, particularly via social media at what some has called her praise of black girls only! Is it fair to the first lady to infer that her presence at this event means she is supporting the exclusion of others? I think before her critics answer this question, they should first understand why Black Girls Rock was created in the first place, and more importantly what it aims to promote.

We already know that women in general are marginalized in the media. Women are often viewed pitted against one another, rather than seen supporting each other. There are few heroines seen saving the day, yet oversexualization of women is standard. The exclusion of all other characteristics for women, and especially young girls, can be detrimental to overall self worth. Young girls began to believe their value rest in how they look, and their behaviors should reflect what they see.

Beverly Bond (celebrity DJ, Philanthropist), the brainchild behind Black Girls Rock, saw a deeper subset to this issue. There was a prevalent calamity that existed in our country, where young women of color were marginalized even more so in the media. Not only were young women of color hugely underrepresented in mainstream media, but their depictions were mostly negative. In an 2012 interview with Watch Her Work, Bond is quoted as saying, “I think its important to tell all girls they rock. I just think black girls don’t get the message.”

Here’s a pivotal question to ponder; In media, how are black women represented? As a consumer of media which includes the internet, music, TV, and Film, I found numerous pervavise stereotypes present. Black women were either seen as loud and aggressive, or dare I say angry. Reality shows painted an even scarier picture. And although there have been strides on television and film, there was simply not enough positive imagery for young women of color to consume.

Bond saw a need that was not being addressed by any other platform, and with an idea, came inception.

With an emphasis on positive self worth, Black Girls Rock launched as a non profit in 2006. Its aim was to create an environment where empowerment and mentoring services were available to young women of color, as well as the ability to discuss and review how women of color were being portrayed in the media. Within the past five years Black Girls Rock has expanded to include an annual awards show, which highlights the great works of women of color in the arts. This focuses on an array of genres, including music, dance, film, sports, and activism. Young women of color were finally provided an opportunity to see positive images reflected back to them from peers and pillars within their culture. How impactful!!

Bond knew, like Michelle Obama knows, images of what we see in the media, particurlarly related to ourselves, are crucial to how we view ourselves. Positive representation matters!!

Black Girls Rock will air on the BET network on April 5, 7p/6pc. The event will be hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King. This years honorees include Jada Pinkett Smith, Cicely Tyson, Ava Duvernay, Erykah Badu, Nadia Lopez, and Dr. Helene D. Gayle.

For more information on the show and honorees click here. To donate or learn more about Black Girls Rock check out their website.

Beverly Bond discusses “Black Girls Rock.”