About
Looking upon the surface, many of the actions committed by Black womyn are typically perceived as
crazy. From Alice Walker’s definitions of womanism to Toni Morrison’s Beloved, it has been made
abundantly clear that Black womyn have had to fight—not only for self preservation but also for the
advancement and beauty of humanity. From a political lens, one might encounter the bravery of Rosa
Parks or the strength of Assata Shakur. Economically, Oprah Winfrey broke through barriers becoming
one of the richest Black womyn across multiple generations. And socially, we must pay homage to
dancers like Katherine Dunham and performers like Beyonce for making strides in the entertainment
industry. We thank these womyn, however, they represent a larger group of womyn who change the world
every single day.
I am creating this photo journal to stray away from the typical discourse centered around Black
womynhood. I understand how we often flock to stereotypes such as mammy, jezebel, or superwoman to
quantify the magic that be black womyn. However, with the merging of both image and text, I hope to
expand that discourse and unpack what really encompasses #blackgirlmagic. While language and words
serve as points of entry to explore the vastness and intricacies of black womynhood, I am inviting the
power of the image to invoke the feeling. Pay close attention to the eyes, the smiles, frowns, and skin. The
image is a tool that lets us delve further into the meaning of a person or subject far beyond what a
simple explanation or description can provide.
With these tools and history in mind, I urge readers to think deeply about the journey from crazy to
conscious. I aim to show how Black womyn are throwing away the stigmatizing label of crazy, and using
their inner lights, experiences, stories, and love to show just how woke they are. They operate at a higher
level of consciousness that empowers them with the ability to see, feel, and be more that what many
expect. This results in the survival and preservation of a people—which lets humanity thrive.