Black women survive out of obligation and thrive despite the weight. While factual, this phenomenon does not happen swiftly or easily. As a result of the heinous treatment that Black women endure, negative beliefs about themselves are often internalized and accepted as irrefutable truths. Black women are taught that the only ways to combat this discrimination are to be less of their authentic selves and conform to fitting into one of the long-lasting negative stereotypes of Black women (Jezebel, Sapphire, or Mammy) until they fully develop into a “strong Black woman” who could take the mistreatment in silence, eventually finding joy in their sacrifice and excelling despite the weighted burden. 

It is clear that Black women do this constantly, but how? How do Black women survive in plain sight...