Healthy Kids • YMCA Child Care
The meaning of #BlackGirlMagic and why it’s so important right now
20 February 2018 - by Sasha Smith
#BlackGirlMagic, a phrase coined by CaShawn Thompson back in 2013, has quickly evolved into an online movement that crosses social networks and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. But what exactly does it mean when Black girls and women tag their Instagram selfies and tweets with “#BlackGirlMagic”? And how can parents use it as an educational tool for their children?
If you break it down, #BlackGirlMagic is a way for Black females like myself to express solidarity with each other and affirm our worth by celebrating the moments of Black female excellence that go unnoticed every day. Because, let’s face it, we live in a culture which recognizes few achievements by women — especially those by Black women. If you need further proof of this, consider why you never knew of Katherine Johnson before watching the film Hidden Figures or, better yet, why the name Viola Desmond was only recently added to history textbooks.
So, like Black History Month itself, the hashtag enables us to give thanks to the women that mainstream history seems to have forgotten, acknowledge those who are paving the way for future generations, share our own personal victories, and reshape the image of Black girls and women. We use the term “magic,” not because we believe we’re supernatural, but rather it’s to express Black female strength, success, and beauty.
This is a vital exercise, both within and beyond the Black female community, because posts tagged with #BlackGirlMagic — in conjunction with other celebrations and events — serve to educate people of all ages about how the contributions of Black women have molded our modern world. This is particularly important since Black history is everyone’s history. Knowing where we come from helps us, as a society, to avoid repeating the mistakes of our past — a lesson that is particularly important to impart on young people. For this reason, content connected by this hashtag is a great resource for parents to engage in conversations with their kids about racism, sexism, and empowerment.
What’s more, paying careful attention to the #BlackGirlMagic posts next time you’re scrolling through your Twitter feed may make you a better ally to Black females. A willingness to listen is key to being an effective ally, and once you start to hear the conversations around the hashtag, you’ll learn about our experiences and how to support us in the fight against racism.
#BlackGirlMagic is more than a hashtag or trending topic. It’s a necessary movement that is making the world a much more inclusive place for this marginalized community.
The YMCA of Greater Toronto’s Black History Month celebrations continue this week with events at the Central YMCA on Friday evening and at the Scarborough YMCA on Saturday evening. Check out our events blog post to learn more.
If you break it down, #BlackGirlMagic is a way for Black females like myself to express solidarity with each other and affirm our worth by celebrating the moments of Black female excellence that go unnoticed every day. Because, let’s face it, we live in a culture which recognizes few achievements by women — especially those by Black women. If you need further proof of this, consider why you never knew of Katherine Johnson before watching the film Hidden Figures or, better yet, why the name Viola Desmond was only recently added to history textbooks.
So, like Black History Month itself, the hashtag enables us to give thanks to the women that mainstream history seems to have forgotten, acknowledge those who are paving the way for future generations, share our own personal victories, and reshape the image of Black girls and women. We use the term “magic,” not because we believe we’re supernatural, but rather it’s to express Black female strength, success, and beauty.
This is a vital exercise, both within and beyond the Black female community, because posts tagged with #BlackGirlMagic — in conjunction with other celebrations and events — serve to educate people of all ages about how the contributions of Black women have molded our modern world. This is particularly important since Black history is everyone’s history. Knowing where we come from helps us, as a society, to avoid repeating the mistakes of our past — a lesson that is particularly important to impart on young people. For this reason, content connected by this hashtag is a great resource for parents to engage in conversations with their kids about racism, sexism, and empowerment.
What’s more, paying careful attention to the #BlackGirlMagic posts next time you’re scrolling through your Twitter feed may make you a better ally to Black females. A willingness to listen is key to being an effective ally, and once you start to hear the conversations around the hashtag, you’ll learn about our experiences and how to support us in the fight against racism.
#BlackGirlMagic is more than a hashtag or trending topic. It’s a necessary movement that is making the world a much more inclusive place for this marginalized community.
The YMCA of Greater Toronto’s Black History Month celebrations continue this week with events at the Central YMCA on Friday evening and at the Scarborough YMCA on Saturday evening. Check out our events blog post to learn more.
