“Why are black women so angry?”

This stereotype disturbs my soul: Black women are angry, they are bitter.

It’s absurd to label a group of women angry because of their skin complexion.

As a black woman, I don’t like to victimize myself. But if people assume that black women are “angry,” these are reasons WHY we might be angry.

We are raised in a society where the ideal woman looks nothing like us.

For years, the ideal of beauty portrayed in the media is the exact OPPOSITE of our natural traits such as straight hair, slim figures, narrow noses, and fair skin.

For instance, I was teased for having big lips as a child at a predominately white elementary school in McLeansville, N.C.

I remember little girls asking:

Why do you wear your hair in twist?

Why is your hair so oily?

Until high school, I was shamed for having big ol’ lips, nappy hair, and twist.

When we find our identity and embrace ourselves, it becomes a mockery.

Now, in 2016, America is giving Kylie Jenner credit for enhancing her lips. Everyone believes Jenner has started a new trend, big lips.

Just weeks ago, HNGN.com asked if Kim Kardashian’s cornrows were a new trend.

I can answer that, “HELL NO!”

Black women have been wearing cornrows and braids for decades!

I don’t think you can really understand how infuriating that can be, unless you are a black woman.

Even Stevie Wonder could see the pattern here.

Oh and let’s not forget about the assets!

It was never cool to be a thick girl in society. Big butts were only admired in the black community.

In the 19^th century, Saartjie ‘Sarah” Baartman was a black woman known for her large buttocks. She spent four years of her life in an exhibit being viewed as freak show.

Baartman was viewed as “abnormal” compared to the average white woman.

Today, women all around the world are paying thousands of dollars for larger assets.

Even worse, black women have been undervalued and underpaid for years.

According to ncbcp.org, black women with bachelor degrees, on average, earn about $10,000 less than white men with an associate’s degree.

$49,882 vs. $59,014. Let that sink in for a moment.

Do you still have the audacity to ask, “Why are black women so angry?”

Would you be bitter if police officers arrested your husband and sons for petty charges?

Would you be bitter if police officers were abusing and killing your husband and sons?

Would you be bitter if the justice system didn’t protect your family?

I’ll wait …

Would you at least be a tad bit upset if you continuously worked your tail off to be underpaid?

Would you be infuriated if your culture and identity was being stolen?

Oh OK, I thought so.

Please keep your sympathy, it’s not needed!

According to Clutchmagonline, half of all black women ages 18-24 are pursuing higher degrees.

Black women are beating all other groups, when it comes to college enrollment.

According to Fortune.com, black women are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S.

The number of businesses owned by African-American women grew a whopping 322 percent since 1997!

So, next time you call black women out for being angry, do not forget to call us educated and ambitious trend-setters!