WOMANISM

Why Are Black Men So Quiet About the Things That Matter to Black Women?

Issues that only impact Black women have a short shelf life

Photo by Simi Iluyomade on Unsplash

While all Black people experience racism, Black women experience misogynoir, a toxic concoction of racism and misogyny. The national conversation about racism typically focuses on issues like police brutality, affordable housing, and the dreaded racial wealth gap that impacts Black men and women. But, society in general and Black men, in particular, are amazingly quiet about the things that matter to Black women specifically. Issues like maternal mortality, a woman's right to choose, and equal pay have a short shelf life in our communities.

As Black people, we should always work together — this is not a "divestment" type of article. But, Black men should have more of an interest in maternal mortality, for instance. When compared with White women, Black women are three times as likely to die during pregnancy and postpartum. "Most maternal deaths are preventable, as the health-care solutions to prevent or manage complications are well known. All women need access to high-quality care in pregnancy, and during and after childbirth." Racism and a lack of interest in the welfare of Black women contribute to their untimely deaths. Yet, we don't see Black men…